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Biomechanics is the study of the mechanics or movement of the human body, especially forces exerted by muscles on the skeletal structure. The biomechanics of the body include the bones, joints and soft tissue directly related to movement and structure (tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fascia). Trauma, poor posture, or abnormal sustained stresses brought about by injury or illness have a direct impact on the biomechanics of the human body. Once injured or in pain, maintaining proper biomechanics is a challenge. Biomechanical dysfunctions that are immediate (trauma), or develop over time, can have devastating effects on the body, and ultimately can become major contributors to chronic pain. At Pain Solutions, Inc., we perform a detailed bio-mechanical analysis to determine these poor movements or positions that may be resulting in increased pain. No other physical therapy or pain-related facility spends the time that we do assessing how you move and how these movements result in your increased pain.
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Manual Therapy is the utilization of direct “hands-on” techniques to assist with the return of normal function and movement. Techniques such as mobilization may be used on muscle and myofascial structures to release restrictions, restore normal length, and alleviate pain. Joint mobilization is the gentle technique of guiding each involved joint (extremity or spine) to a position of optimal placement resulting in decreased stress, restored movement and pain elimination. |
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Joint manipulation is a controlled assisted movement of the joint to quickly restore movement, function and directly alleviate pain. The manipulation can also eliminate the associated muscle guarding or spasm activity which was directly related to the pain response. Joint manipulations are extremely beneficial, but it is our philosophy that the tissue must first be prepared for the manipulation, and each client must be given the tools to maintain the correction following the manipulation technique. These factors are often overlooked by standard chiropractic and physical therapy protocols.
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Fascia is the network of connective tissue that runs throughout the body. This tissue holds all structures together and forms several primary planes within the body. Trauma or direct stresses resulting from poor posture, dysfunctional movement patterns, or faulty muscle recruitment patterns can result in tightening and adhesion formation within the fascia and muscle fibers. The further tightening of this incredibly strong tissue can lead to joint and movement restrictions, joint displacement, and pain. Specialized techniques are designed and utilized for each individual to eliminate these restrictions and return the fascia to its normal, pain-free position.
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The original philosophy of Positional Release originates from acupuncture. Unlike joint mobilization or manipulation, which directly focus on the region of dysfunction, Positional Release is an indirect technique which employs an application of force away from the area of pain or resistance and toward the direction of greatest comfort. The 2 primary components of Positional Release are: 1) precise body positioning for comfort, and 2) Identification of involved tender points. With these techniques, pain and associated restrictions may be alleviated and muscles returned to a “normal” state.
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Performing normal activities, whether they include the daily activities of our jobs or advanced athletic activities, is the result of a controlled chain reaction of events called “synergy." Normal movement requires a precise chain reaction or synergy of isolated muscles working together in complex choreography. Damage to the muscle, or compensatory movement patterns brought about by acute or chronic pain, can drastically impact this choreography in a negative way. Pain following injury can result in “normal” motion being accomplished with “abnormal” muscle activation. In regards to chronic pain conditions, we often see that the client has developed multiple dysfunctions causing the wrong muscles to attempt to work together. This can and does result in progressive pain for the individual. At Pain Solutions, Inc., we have developed an evaluation process to help determine these dysfunctional synergistic patterns. These patterns must be corrected and the “right” muscles must fire and work together to overcome the pain condition. Simple things, like muscles working together and appropriate movement, are all too often over-looked in an attempt to treat the symptoms. We understand the importance of assessing these areas to address the “bigger picture” of chronic pain management.
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The body is a symphony of movement orchestrated by the appropriate movement of individual parts. Proper movement of the human body occurs when specific muscles work in concert with each other to allow normal, unrestricted movement to occur at the joints. Typically the body is highly self-correcting, but trauma, illness, pain and dysfunction can disrupt the symphony causing movement “chaos”. |
These movement disorders can be obvious or extremely subtle and can progress over a long period of time. Disruption of normal movement can itself be a primary contributor to your persistent or increasing pain level. Each dysfunctional movement pattern must be identified and the appropriate neuromuscular retraining techniques must be performed to reestablish normal movement. The next step is to design and implement specific stretching and exercise programs to maintain the corrected movement pattern.
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ETPS is the great combination of the Eastern philosophy of health meeting the Western philosophy of medical care. This technology is based upon the 5,000-year-old art of acupuncture but, instead of needles, we utilize strategically introduced electrical micro-current to decrease the “over-sensitivity” of the nervous system that carries the pain message. The theory of this very effective modality is to “reset” the nervous system to a normal balance by treating the direct and indirect regions feeding into your areas of pain. This form of treatment has been proven extremely effective in addressing a wide variety of pain conditions including tendonitis, myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, TMJD, neck and back pain, and sports related injuries.
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Surface EMG, or electro-myography, is a very important tool that is used at Pain Solutions, Inc. In our research, we have found that most individuals with chronic pain develop faulty movement patterns in an attempt to avoid or decrease pain. Over time, these muscle use and movement patterns become dysfunctional and eventually become a part of the pain picture. Surface EMG can assist with identifying these problem muscle groups by measuring muscle activity. Increased muscle activity may be indicative of a guarding or spasm pattern, while decreased muscle activity may reveal nerve damage, significant weakness, or muscle inhibition. All muscle must be able to relax, as well as to generate force. The inability of a muscle to relax results in pain secondary to a constant state of contraction causing stress at the joints and inflammation of the tendon (tendonitis). Muscle inhibition may also result in pain, because the muscle is not capable of generating the forces necessary for a specific movement or activity. Whether in constant contraction or weakness, the muscle will always react to pain by protecting itself. This can lead to trigger points, myofascial pain, and a progression of increasing regions of muscle pain. Through neuromuscular re-education with surface EMG, we can halt the progression of symptoms and devise an appropriate exercise plan to return the muscles to “normal” activity and relaxation levels.
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Deep heat therapy can be very beneficial in the treatment of soft tissue and joint related injuries. Ultrasound utilizes high frequency sound waves to provide penetrating deep heat to the desired structure and surrounding tissues. This modality is effective in assisting with pain reduction, increasing tissue mobility, and increasing tissue healing.
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Medications may be delivered to the painful site without the unpleasantness of an injection. Iontophoresis is a very effective modality used specifically to deliver a variety of medications to treat various conditions from inflammation to bone spurs. The medications are driven into the area with a low level electrical stimulation. This level of electrical stimulation is not uncomfortable, and benefit from the treatment can be realized after just two to four treatment sessions.
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Although it may sound ominous, electrical stimulation has been utilized for medical purposes for hundreds of years. Electrical stimulation has proven to be very successful in the areas of tissue healing, spasm reduction, muscle re-education, reduction of swelling, and pain control. We use many forms of electrical stimulation to assist with making the manual therapy, stretches, exercises and Reactivation Programs more tolerable and ultimately more successful. We also make the stimulation units available to our clients to assist with pain control on a 24 / 7 basis. The forms of electrical stimulation used at Pain Solutions, Inc., are:
Interferential Electrical Stimulation |
Micro current Stimulation |
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) |
Neuromuscular Stimulation (NMS) |
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Therapeutic Massage has been long overlooked as a vital component of health and rehabilitation programs. Many think of massage as a luxury, but in reality, massage is an essential treatment option to restore normal function to the muscles and associated tissues. Massage can assist with eliminating spasms / guarding by facilitating specific muscle relaxation to allow for normal functioning. Deep tissue massage may also be utilized for increasing blood flow to a damaged area to promote healing. The various forms of massage are extremely effective for pain reduction.
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Individuals dealing with both acute and chronic pain conditions know that ALL “normal” aspects of life change. These changes lead to a vicious lifestyle of decreased activity, weight gain, loss of overall fitness and a progressive sense of helplessness and hopelessness. Our Reconditioning and Stabilization Programs will help overcome these devastating side effects of pain. We realize that each individual has specific needs. The Reconditioning and Stabilization Programs are designed specifically to address these needs and are dynamic. As you recover and your needs change, your programs change with you. Therefore, you will always be working on exactly what you need. The components of your program include:
Individualized Stretching Program – composed of innovative multi-angular stretching / movement patterns. |
Foundation Stabilization Program to develop and enhance vital core strength |
Exclusive Strengthening / Reconditioning Program – to build your overall strength and fitness, as well as to establish a crucial cardio-vascular base. Our strengthening and reconditioning programs utilize a foundation of exclusive movement / exercise patterns to actually retrain and strengthen the way the body “should” move, eliminating stress, compression, and movements which result in pain. |
