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Category: Special Techniques

Orthowell Physical TherapyOrthoWell BlogSpecial Techniques
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By admin 0 Comments All, Pain Management, Patients, Special Techniques

ART gets you better – QUICKER!!

Active Release Technique or ART is a patented and proven manual therapy technique that can speed recovery from injury or surgery. ART can alleviate symptoms that have been unresponsive to other treatments. Certified practitioners for the NBA, NFL, PGA Tour, and Ironman events utilize Active Release Technique. It is a hands-on system that allows the practitioner to diagnose and treat soft tissue injuries and peripheral nerve entrapments. ART uses the fundamentals of anatomy and biomechanics to determine and to treat dysfunction in the system. The “touch” is developed through a comprehensive certification process. At OrthoWell/WalkWell, we are certified in Active Release Technique.

So how does it work? As repetitive injury or cumulative stress occurs to soft tissue, the normal longitudinal arrangement of fibers can become disrupted via the haphazard and erratic formation of scar tissue. Stretching a muscle with scar tissue only stretches the area above and below the “knot”. Hence, more stress occurs at the point of dysfunction. ART entails the application of specific pressure via one’s thumbs or hands on an area of fibrosis or adhesion as the patient actively or passively moves through a specific, guided range of motion. The “knot” will release through the applied tension.

SO WHAT DO OUR PATIENTS THINK ABOUT ACTIVE RELEASE?

“After 13 months of suffering through debilitating left hamstring pain, I had given up hope. Two courses of PT and multiple trips to my primary and orthopedic specialist brought little relief. WalkWell changed all that! Throughout the entire process of evaluation and treatment, I believed from the start that I would one day be painfree. Today, I have never felt better!”
Chad Konecky, Program Manager for ESPN

By admin 0 Comments All, Pain Management, Patients, Special Techniques

GRASTON versus Scar Tissue!! Any bets??

The first step in treatment is to identify scar tissue. Microscopically, healthy tissue is smooth, longitudinal, and symmetrical in presentation. Scar tissue i.e. fibrosis is laid down by our bodies in a very haphazard and erratic fashion. Picture below.

During palpation, fibrosis will feel gritty or knotted. At OrthoWell/WalkWell, we may use Graston’s instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)  to “break up” restrictions. This deep massage creates a reactive inflammation which “jump starts” healing. Keep in mind that inflammation can occur without healing, but healing cannot occur without inflammation. During the inflammatory stage, scar tissue can be reabsorbed by the body. During the fibroblastic or re-growth phase of healing, the damaged tissue is replaced by new collagen. This new collagen is reformatted through proper exercise. This “process” can take 3-6 months in chronic cases. So what does the research tell us about IASTM?


Instruments of Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Craig Davidson et al in “Morphologic and functional changes in rat Achilles tendon following collagenase and GASTM”, J Am College Sports Med, 1995;27 showed increased fibroblast proliferation in the IASTM group and stated that “the study suggests that IASTM may promote healing via increased fibroblast recruitment.”

Gale Gehlsen et al in “Fibroblasts responses to variation in soft tissue mobilization pressure”, Med Sci Sports Exer, 1999;31:531-535 showed morphological evidence indicating that “the application of heavy pressure during IASTM promoted more fibroblastic proliferation compared to light or moderate pressure.”

Mary Loghmani et al in a 2006 research project at Indiana University (pending publication) revealed that “ligaments treated with IASTM were found to be 31% stronger and 34% stiffer than untreated ligaments” using Graston Technique instruments.


As a result of almost 2 decades of asking questions and critically appraising my successes and failures, I have become convinced that the “missing link” in the treatment of soft tissue lesions is the proper release of scar tissue. Rehabilitation is accomplished through the functional integration of deep massage, strengthening, stretching, joint mobilization, cardiovascular exercise, and compliance with a home exercise program. Correcting biomechanical deficiencies with foot orthotics is also a consideration.

Most physical therapists do an adequate job of treating pain. Acute pain usually resolves with the most innocuous of therapy interventions. However, the only way to prevent reoccurrence of symptoms is to ensure that every aspect of the dysfunction is being treated in the most comprehensive manner. At OrthoWell/WalkWell, we do just that!

Graston Technique:

By admin 0 Comments Clinicians, Pain Management, Patients, Shoulders, Shoulders, Special Techniques

Shoulder Exercises: The Evidence

Everything we do at OrthoWell is evidence-based! Maximizing results in minimal time depends on the expertise of the clinician. As our knowledge of biomechanics and muscle function improves, more of an emphasis is placed on scientifically based rehabilitation protocols. This is particularly true regarding the shoulder and scapulothoracic complex. In the February 2009 volume of JOSPT, Mike Reinold, the Boston Red Sox team physical therapist, presented a thorough analysis of the shoulder and scapular stabilization exercise literature. One of the most effective exercises for each muscle will be presented.


Supraspinatus
*Full Can Exercise
*Enhances scapular position>
*Decreased deltoid compared to empty can
*Minimizes superior humeral translation

Infraspinatus/Teres Minor
*Side-lying ER
*Minimal capsular strain
*25% increased EMG using towel roll
*Highest EMG for infraspinatus

Subscapularis
*IR at 90 deg abd
*Position of shoulder stability
*Enhanced scapular postion
*Less pectoralis activity than 0 deg abd

Serratus Anterior
*Push-up with plus
*Easy position to resist protraction
*High EMG activity
*Also activates subscapularis

Lower Trapezius
*Prone full can at 135 deg abd
*Full can = horiz abd with ER(thumbs up)
*High EMG activity
*Also activates infraspinatus, teres minor, Mid traps, supraspinatus

Middle Trapezius
*Prone Full Can at 90 deg abd
*High EMG activity
*Also activates infraspinatus, teres minor, Mid traps, supraspinatus

Rhomboids
*Prone Row
*Below 90 deg abduction
*High EMG activity
*Good ratio of upper, mid, low traps

Combo Exercise
*Bilateral T-band ER
*25% increased EMG ER’s with towel roll
*Good ratio upper:lower traps per McCabe
*Emphasize scapula retraction and post tilting

In addition, it is clinically imperative to ensure proper technique during all therapeutic exercises especially as your patient is progressed to plyometrics, closed chain UE exercises, and sport- specific exercise training. Proper exercise TECHNIQUE and proper exercise CHOICE is required to effectively treat the muscular imbalances seen in most shoulder pathologies.