Techniques

Our nervous system is very impressive! Each nerve cell starts out in the brain and goes all the way to the tips of our fingers and the tips of our toes! This pathway is not only a long one but it's convoluted, going around, between, within muscles, joints, and fascial layers (see my first blog post under the NEWS section for more information on fascia). This means that there's ample opportunity for nerves to get hung up along the way. For instance, as a nerve pierces through restricted muscle tissue, additional pressure is placed upon the nerve than if the muscle tissue is soft and supple. Nerves are very sensitive to pressure and when pressed upon by restricted tissue or swelling, there can be referred pain or altered sensation in an area that is innervated by that nerve. Also, superficial nerve endings can be entrapped by adjacent restricted fascia and can cause nerve - type symptoms such as numbness and/or tingling or referred pain. This phenomenon is more dramatic when the pressure is quick, intense and direct as occurs when we bump our ulnar nerve at the inside of our elbow,Ouch!

Additionally, something we, in the medical field, call adhesions can occur. Adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them adhere to one another. It is thought that nerves can become entrapped by adhesions within their own nerve sheath, which is what we call the tissue which surrounds and insulates the nerve bundles. Chemical irritants from adjacent inflamed tissue can cause nerve irritation as well.

The good news is, there's a technique called clinical neurodynamics that can help to relieve the adhesions and nourish the nerve within its sheath. These techniques can also help when there is lack of nerve movement as it passes through and around all of the other tissue within the body. There are also myofascial release techniques that can be performed to relieve an “myofascially entrapped” nerve.

A way to determine if you are headed down the path to pain without having to Signs of poor movement patterns may be seen well in advance of the onset of pain. There may be inhibited or weakened muscles that you would be unaware of until it causes pain in a related body area, for example, if one of your rotator cuff muscles in your shoulder is so full of adhesions/tissue restrictions that it is unable to function as normal and leads to shoulder pain when reaching overhead.

An annual evaluation is essential to review changes, measure progress and discuss bigger-picture health goals.

Videos of self-care methods to get and keep your tissue healthy-watch them here on the website or on YouTube @TherapeuticConnection

Using a mechanical cervical traction device to relieve neck and upper extremity pain. The use of mechanical mechanisms to allow a stretching force to your vertebrae of either your neck or low back in order to create a relief of the compression that gravity and shortened muscles place on the joints of your spinal column.

Workstation Assessments, Proper Alignment Training at your desk, Preventative Exercise for Repetitive Strain Injury.

Golf Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention: Golfers are prone to injury due to the one-sided and ballistic nature of their sport. I have developed techniques specific to golf players and their typical injury patterns.

For Seniors who want to remain as active as possible!

Get fit/stay fit with a personalized, “good for your body (especially your joints)” exercise regimen.

Therapeutic Exercise in your pool.

Using a tool to accomplish reducing tension and restriction within your muscles and your fascia (the tissue that covers and runs within our muscles)

Joint mobilization is a gentle type of manual (hands-on) therapy that involves pressing on a joint in ways that can restore it’s usual movement, break up any adhesions (adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them adhere to one another) in the joint capsule, the fluid filled sac surrounding most all of our joints and also provide a neurophysiologic effect that can reduce pain and muscle spasms. There are three major approaches to joint mobilization in Physical Therapy: Evjenth-Kaltenborn Norwegian Approach, Australian or Maitland Approach, and the Mulligan Approach. I have studied all three of these approaches and use a blend of all three in my practice.

Kiinesiotaping involves using tape for creating space and a mild stretch between tissue layers that allows better fluid exchange and a relieving stimulus in your tissues. McConnell taping involves optimizing the position of your kneecap or shoulder for decreased pain with movement of these areas. Sports injury taping involves the taping of your foot and ankle to offer increased support to the joints.

Using a mechanical lumbar traction device to relieve low back and lower extremity pain. The use of mechanical mechanisms to allow a stretching force to your vertebrae of either your neck or low back in order to create a relief of the compression that gravity and shortened muscles place on the joints of your spinal column.

A special type of massage and self-care techniques to reduce lymphedema/lipidema (severe swelling)

Joint and soft tissue hands-on techniques to relieve restriction within your tissues including joints, muscles and connective tissue (the tissue that covers and runs within our muscles) .

A process of diagnosing poor movement or postural patterns that are the underlying cause of your pain and instructing a patient in how to change those poor patterns/postural faults to relieve the undue stress they are causing on the affected area of your body.

Using your muscles through an isometric (no movement takes place) contraction to reposition a dysfunctional joint

Using cupping along with movement to relieve restriction within your tissues including muscles and connective tissue

Reducing tension and restriction within your muscles and your fascia (the tissue that covers and runs within our muscles) with direct manual/hands-on pressure to your tissues.

I diverged briefly for a couple of years from orthopedics for a while late in my career and delved into Pediatric Physical Therapy in the California school system. I had no idea how much fun working with this special needs population could be! It was a bit too exhausting on a full-time basis for someone over 50 years old to be playing on playground equipment so I returned to orthopedics, but I gained valuable insights into working with these awesome kids in the clinic! Pediatric Physical Therapy is for kids with congenital and acquired conditions including Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Torticollis (abnormal, asymmetrical head or neck position), Acute Injury, Autism, Toe Walking, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, Hypotonicity (low tone in muscles), Down Syndrome, Common and Rare Genetic Disorders, Delayed Milestones, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

A specialty of Physical Therapy that is focused on relieving pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic pressure, painful intercourse, or pelvic organ prolapse.

Using verbal and tactile (hands-on) cues to facilitate improvement in your alignment reducing tension placed on your muscles and joints.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a rich and effective therapeutic approach that uses nerve impulses to recruit muscles through stimulation of the receptors in your muscles and tendons in addition to other sensory stimuli (tactile, visual or verbal). PNF is a hands-on technique that brings about improved strength, flexibility and greater motor control.

Contract-relax stretching is a component of PNF which uses a resisted muscle contraction while a musculotendinous structure is on stretch to facilitate improved range of motion and relaxation of a muscle that is shortened or restricted from adhesions, or sticky tissue.

Hands-on muscle release body work including several techniques including Myofascial Release, Strumming, Bending, Jones Compression, Cranio-sacral, Active Muscle Release.

Soft tissue / myofascial restriction caused by restriction that lies in related body regions that refer pain

Therapeutic techniques unique to your jaw including external and internal Soft Tissue Mobilization or Massage and Joint Mobilization to improve range of motion or the opening of your mouth.

Whether your vertigo symptoms originate from an inner ear disturbance or a problem in your neck, there can be relief!