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How ASTYM Therapy Helps With Tennis Elbow

How ASTYM Therapy Helps With Tennis Elbow

Posted by on Aug 9, 2017 | 0 comments

tennis elbowTennis elbow, plantar fasciitis and rotator cuff tendinopathy are common injuries that can plague a tennis player. The last thing an athlete wants to hear is, “You must rest and stop playing tennis.”  Soft tissue injuries can be painful, limiting conditions that are slow to heal, which is particularly challenging to a tennis player who wants to get back in the game.

Many athletes seek advice from primary care and sports medicine physicians when they have tendon pain and then are often offered anti-inflammatories, injections, and told to rest.  Typically, this common regimen only offers temporary relief and may not be the best method to heal a tendinopathy. Astym therapy targets the underlying cause of many soft tissue problems, rather than just trying to relieve symptoms.  It is unmatched in its ability to resolve tendinopathies, and often works even after other approaches fail.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TENDINOPATHY, TENDINITIS AND TENDINOSIS?

The word “tendinopathy” actually means “disease of a tendon,” and is a broader term for two conditions known as “tendinosis,” or degenerative tendinopathy, and “tendinitis,” or acute, inflammatory tendinopathy. Although “tendonitis” is used often, most cases of tendinopathy are not associated with significant inflammation and thus don’t respond well to anti-inflammatory medications.

WHAT CAUSES TENDINOPATHY?

Tendinopathy can be caused by overuse or improper loading of the muscle-tendon unit. It can also be caused by degeneration of soft tissues due to injury, age or other reasons. Repetitive strain on a tendon may cause tiny tears that accumulate over time. These tears may result in pain and can eventually change the structure of the tendon resulting in acute inflammation and/or degeneration that can lead to pain, tissue adhesions, movement impairment and eventually loss of function.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPISTS HELP HEAL TENDINOPATHY (TENNIS ELBOW)

ADDRESS THE CAUSE

WHY ASTYM THERAPY IS SO SUCCESSFUL

Astym therapy, evidenced to engage the regenerative mechanisms of the body and promote the healing of soft tissues, has repeatedly been shown safe and effective in controlled clinical trials, clinical study, and large population outcomes data.  A new approach to soft tissue treatment, Astym therapy resulted from a large, groundbreaking research endeavor supported by major hospitals and universities.  It is used in settings ranging from therapy clinics to hospitals to industrial rehabilitation to elite/professional athletics, and has been proven to be more effective than other available treatments.

Astym-certification is advanced training and not everyone is qualified to perform this higher level of care.  In order to become Astym-certified, a clinician must undergo intensive training and testing.  Doctors often prescribe Astym therapy for their patients because it is safe, high quality care that has been proven to be effective.

If you are having tennis elbow issues – we can treat that! Mark Slaughter is an Astym certified clinician and will be happy to address your issues. Contact our office today to learn more!

**tennis elbow data supplied by astym.com
What Is Astym Therapy?

What Is Astym Therapy?

Posted by on Jul 12, 2017 | 0 comments

astym therapyAstym therapy or Astym treatment is a regenerative physical/occupational therapy that resolves many frustrating musculoskeletal cases, including tendinopathies and post-op or post-injury scarring. Astym treatment is one of the most researched and effective therapy interventions available, and it is unmatched in its ability to resolve a wide range of soft tissue dysfunctions.

The Astym process includes the non-invasive stimulation of regenerative mechanisms of the body, and a customized program of stretching and exercise, which positively influences the alignment of new collagen. More benefits include:

  • Solves chronic issues
  • Quickly decreases pain and increases range of motion
  • Short treatment course: Typically 4-5 weeks
  • Targets the source of the problem, not just the symptoms
  • Stimulates regeneration of damaged soft tissues and the resorption of scar tissue
  • Patients continue to be active during therapy

Until now, the option for treating tendon pain and soft tissue problems were limited and not very effective. Often, people could suffer for months, even years, with pain and movement restrictions due to soft tissue dysfunction. Finally, Astym Therapy is now available and is highly effective AND clinically proven. Mark Slaughter has undergone the intensive training and study to become certified in Astym therapy. It is important that you see a certified provider if you are interested in this treatment. Only certified Astym clinicians are trained in this specific protocol.  Mark will follow specific treatment parameters to initiate a regenerative process in the affected soft tissues, including applying mild to moderate topical pressures, and provide a customized program of stretching and exercise.

Some general conditions Astym therapy is highly effective for include:

  • Chronic tendinopathy
  • Joint and muscle stiffness
  • Sprains and strains
  • Conditions resulting from dysfunctional scar tissue or fibrosis (post -traumatic, post-surgical, etc.)

Some specific conditions Astym therapy is beneficial for include:

  • Achilles Tendinopathy
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Chronic Ankle Pain and Stiffness
  • Chronic Wrist Pain and Stiffness
  • Golfer’s Elbow
  • Hamstring Strain
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Jumper’s Knee
  • Low Back Pain
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Post-Mastectomy Scarring
  • Post-Surgical Scarring
  • Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
  • Scar Tissue
  • Tennis Elbow

Again, Astym therapy rebuilds and heals the soft tissues of the body, eliminates pain and restores movement. It does not involve injections or surgery. Astym therapy has helped countless people by resotring their movement, getting ride of their pain, and giving them back their lives. To find out if Astym treatments are right for you, call the office or contact us here so we can schedule and appointment and get started today!

 

Why Are Your Feet So Important?

Why Are Your Feet So Important?

Posted by on Jun 7, 2017 | 0 comments

feetYour feet play a very important role when it comes to stability and preventing pain. If you stop and think about what your feet actually have to do, it is amazing. They are responsible for keeping you upright when you are standing and walking.

In our clinic, we see a lot of people that stand or sit with their feet turned way out. This will directly affect their mechanics from their feet all the way up to their neck. You want to have a stable structure to function properly. So we will take a look at how they stand and walk, and typically their feet are turned out or they have flattened their arches, and that is why they are complaining of pain. Whether it is ankle, knee, hips, typically the pain is coming from a problem with their feet – not the area that is hurting.

So what can you do?

Strengthening your arch. Even if you think you have a “flat arch”, it probably is just poor muscle structure. Simple exercises can be done to strengthen those muscles and regain a proper arch – helping you become more stable.

Focus on how you walk and stand. Make sure you are keeping your feet pointed straight ahead. when you walk.

Mark goes into detail about why this is all so very important. Learn more here. Make sure to contact us if you have any questions.

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Training Your Muscles To Fight Rotation

Training Your Muscles To Fight Rotation

Posted by on May 1, 2017 | 0 comments

Core stability, or “core”, still seems to be the buzz word. That part of the body is designed to be stable. It is not meant for excessive movement. Core muscles are endurance muscles and need to be trained accordingly. Some also call it the “anti-rotation muscles.” It is important to train the muscles to fight the rotational movements like vacuuming or opening car doors. When people do these movements, most often they are rotating through their spine, instead of rotating through their hips. This should be avoided.

One way to avoid this, or re-train your movements, is to train the muscles that help fight rotation. There are many exercises you can do to stabilize your core – make sure to check out our YouTube channel where we will show you several.

Check out this video where Mark explains several things you can do to help re-train your movements and to fight rotation in your spine.

3 Exercises You Must Do To Avoid Injury

3 Exercises You Must Do To Avoid Injury

Posted by on Apr 3, 2017 | 0 comments

 

There are three exercises that are very important that are not only gym exercises, but also functional movements. Most people don’t realize they are already doing these exercises every day. The important thing is to do them correctly so you can avoid injury. These exercises include:

Squatting – this is a primary movement. You squat every day. It is not just a gym exercise, but a movement you do every day when you sit in a chair or get up and down off a toilet. The technique is the same.

Dead lift – this is something you do every day. Picking up a bag of groceries, a pet, a child or any time you pick something up off the floor. You are going to do a dead lift every day anyway, so learn to do them correctly.

Single leg squat – also very important to train. When you walk, run or stair climb, you are doing this movement. The only difference is what depth you are going to. You are still functioning on one leg, so you need to get this movement down correctly as well.

If you master these three movement patterns, either in the gym or at home, you will avoid injury.

To learn more about these movements, or if you have further questions, contact us at the office any time.

 

 

How To Avoid Injuries When Riding Your Bike

How To Avoid Injuries When Riding Your Bike

Posted by on Mar 1, 2017 | 0 comments

Spring is here and it is time to being riding your bike! Even though everyone is excited to get out there again, it can be very easy to injure yourself, especially if you have not ridden in a while. In fact, over 50% of professionals will injure themselves. So if a professional can do it, your chances are even greater. This can all be avoided by following a few quick tips that address simple fixes, specifically when it comes to back pain. Some things we will discuss include proper alignment of hips, knees and ankles, as well as how to not ride with a rounded back. Watch this video to learn more, and make sure to contact us if you have questions.