Our approach to the treatment of muscle, joint and nerve pain is what sets us apart from other providers.
We are very much a hybrid. While our roots are in Chiropractic manipulation, we are constantly evolving.
However, the one constant is our reliance on principles of the human body. Methods change, but principles are a constant and guide us to the “WHY” you are in pain and not just the “WHAT” it is and “WHERE” it hurts. Finding the fire is one thing, finding where the match was lit is another.
We look for the upstream cause of the downstream symptom. This is called interregional dependency. Our entire body is connected through a 3D network of muscles, ligaments, nerves and fascia. In other words, a chronic shoulder pain may have at its root an opposite hip dysfunction.
We use two basic tools to evaluate a patient after an exam for basic health.
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is used for the individual who is not in pain or at least doesnʼt know they are when testing for movement. It is a high end seven test screen which tests for mobility, stability and three movement patterns. The FMS is used in the NFL, at the NFL combine, the NHL and the NHL combine, the Olympic training center, major colleges from Stanford to the University of Wisconsin, the European Soccer League and many high level performance institutes including that of four time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Johnson. It is a great way to not only increase performance, but also to manage the risk of injury.
If however, you have pain on the FMS or already have pain, we put you through a Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA). This breaks dysfunctional patterns down into the parts that are contributing to the faulty pattern and ultimately your pain. Very commonly we begin our work on a dysfunctional non-painful pattern or part of the body. Again, this is interregional interdependency and is due to the fact the body is all connected through a 3D matrix of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and fascia.
Once we have used the principles of human movement and the interaction of all parts of the bodyʼs contribution to your pain, we then use methods to address the problem.
This will consist of using some, or all, of the following: manipulation, ART (Active Release Technique) the Gold Standard in the treatment of soft tissue, traction/ decompression, physiotherapies such as ultrasound and laser, nutritional counseling and of course corrective exercises which are programmed for you and you alone based on your FMS or SFMA.
You are unique, and you should have a unique experience based on your needs and not a cookie cutter treatment plan.
We use a system, not a program. A program is pre set and everything happens to you based on a pre-programmed treatment plan. Our system is fluid and ever changing each visit. We Test-Treat and Retest each visit and within the visit to make sure our methods used and the site(s) targeted are correct. No change in a test means we may be on the wrong trail and that day we must make a change on how and where we treat you.
It really only makes sense. However, this is absolutely not the norm in nearly all health care facilities that deal with muscle, nerve and joint pain. Typically a provider thinks method of care and site of pain first. The method used is typically their favorite. However, using this program-based treatment model is at best throwing a dart at a dart board with your eyes closed and hoping you hit the board.
Through screens, tests and assessments, we take out most of the guess work which has led to much better outcomes and shorter treatment plans. Check out the links that discuss FMS, SFMA, corrective exercises, nutrition and ART along with our other methods.
Remember, the best method of care in the wrong place or wrong time is of little value. The wrong method in the wrong place or wrong time is of no value. However, the best method in the right place at the right time can be life changing.