What We Do Best

We use a highly specialized, hands-on approach to all treatment.

...for neck & shoulder pain & jaw dysfunction

Determine which muscles need support, which need elongating and which need strengthening
Alleviate nerve impingement with nerve "flossing"
Therapist's manual techniques to prepare the tissue for change, i.e. myofascial release techniques, strain/counterstrain techniques, Travell's spray and stretch approach and joint mobilization

...for back pain

Determine postural attitudes and gait patterns that increase strain
Test for muscle imbalances that cause overuse of muscle groups
Devise an individualized program of exercises to correct strain

...for sacroiliac dysfunction

Identify the strained movement patterns
Determine the muscles that need retraining often requiring training of the pelvic floor muscles
Restore alignment of the sacrum and pelvis with therapist's manual techniques, the patient also learns how to self-align the pelvis

...for knee & foot pain

Determine structural problems and walking habits that contribute to pain, tendinitis and bunion formation
Teach corrective stretching and strengthening to alleviate pain with activity
Incorporate neuromuscular re-education, taping and manual treatment techniques to improve joint alignment and movement patterns
determine sport-specific needs and in-shoe custom orthotics if necessary

...for hand pain

Reduce the swelling with therapist's manual techniques and elongate shortened muscles
Correct related postural habits and teach good body mechanics
Perform stretching of the tight shoulder and neck muscles and strengthen spinal muscles associated with hand symptoms

...for arthritis & osteoporosis

Identify postural faults that interfere with normal spinal function
Teach deep breathing exercises to mobilize ribs and thoracic spine
Teach weight bearing exercises with graduated free weights
Teach basic Tai Chi movements to encourage graceful movement in weight bearing which also has been shown by research to improve balance

...for pelvic floor pain & incontinence

Inadequate strength and lack of coordination can be the cause of pelvic pain, prolapse of the bladder, incontinence and poor posture

Re-educate the pelvic floor muscles
Reduce postural maladjustment secondary to the pelvic pain
Design a program of exercise for improving muscle performance

Visceral Manipulation
Gentle strokes used to release restriction in the mobility and motility of the internal organs. This can be helpful in reducing impactions due to injury, post-surgical and internal scarring.
Back to Menu

Cranial-Sacral Mobilization
Gentle palpation over the cranial sutures detects a sense of movement that should be rhythmical and symmetrical. It is physiological, detecting the rise and fall in pressure of the cerebro-spinal fluid. The normal rate is a slow six to twelve cycles per minute. Any rhythm that is not symmetrical is gently prodded until there is no restriction. This relieves headaches, concussion-caused slowed responses and often fuzzy eyesight. For instance, the bones at the base of the cranium, the sphenoid and occiput can be torsioned and/or rotated with a force of a fall or motor vehicle accident. The dura, the tough membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord is attached to the interior of the skull, at the foramen magnum and at the expansions of the cauda equina into the sacrum, communicates injury from the neck to the low back.
Back to Menu

Myofascial Release
A gentle method of reducing the sensitivity of the sensory receptors by putting the target tissue in a position of reduced strain and holding it there for a short time until a release is obtained. The collagen tissue that supports muscle and internal organs can become shortened and adherent with persistent faulty posture and/or injury. Myofascial release addresses this restriction with this manual technique. The end result is a remarkable release of tension and return of 50% to 100% of full ROM.
Back to Menu

Travell's Trigger Point
A trigger point is a focus of hyperirritability in a muscle that when pressed by a finger is locally tender and is sufficiently irritable, causing referred pain and tenderness. Treatment by the therapist consists of compressing the trigger point while holding the muscle in its relaxed position for 2 to 5 minutes. Typically the patient can learn to do this for herself and usually results in a reduction of pain by 50% to 75%, if not completely eased. Dr. Janet Travell used spray of a rapidly evaporating mist, such as Flori-methane or Ethyl Chloride to cool the muscle, followed by a hot pack to heat and relax the muscle. To be most effective, this technique is combined with stretching the muscle to relieve the increased tension in the muscle. Usually, several trigger points are treated at a time. The therapist aims to treat the most prominent trigger points, as they tend to release the lesser trigger points as well.
Back to Menu

Strain/Counterstrain
This is a gentle technique that places the tissue in a relaxed position so that pressure only causes a sense of awareness but not tenderness. The position is maintained by the therapist until the tissue releases, usually about two minutes. Reduction of tender points often increases pain-free movement by several degrees.
Back to Menu

Kinesiotaping
Kinesiotape gives the physical therapist another tool in stabilizing joints, relieving swelling, encouraging correct use of muscles, and stretching short, painful tissue. The therapist applies stretchy, light tape differently for each purpose. The person wearing the tape feels the improvement immediately because it corrects muscle usage, assists movement or limits movements - whichever the goal is.
Back to Menu

Massage
Most of the body's processes rely on the appropriate movement of fluids through the different systems. The slowing or even stasis of these fluids will contribute to the dysfunction that is causing pain and/or disruption of physical ability to perform daily tasks. Massage can be an effective way to stimulate the normal flow of fluids such as blood, digestive materials, lymph, gland secretions and fluid in the spaces between cells. When the natural flow of fluids is restored, nutrients, oxygen, hormones, antibodies and water are delivered to the cells and toxic wastes are taken away. Massage also causes a warming that improves tissue elasticity for reducing muscle spasm and improving flexibility. Massage will not only enhance relaxation, but also improve energy as the body fluids are mobilized. Massage is an excellent adjunct treatment for restoration of tissue mobility.
Back to Menu

Laser
Both the low-level, Class II or cold laser and the more energetic Class IV laser are sources of very focal or specific wave lengths of light energy. These lasers treat the body on a cellular level. The laser's light energy stimulates biochemical reactions that facilitate healing including ATP production, an important cellular energy source. The light energy also enhances the release of endorphins, the body's own pain-relievers. Lymphocyte or white blood cell levels and general circulation levels increase with photonic energy thus increasing immune system responses to promote healing.
Back to Menu