With extensive training, I have developed a unique and comprehensive system of diagnosis and treatment that includes physical therapy, muscular therapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, and energy work. Below are the therapies I may use to treat your condition.
Applied Kinesiology
Also know as A.K. is a system of diagnosis and treatment developed by Dr. George Goodheart Jr., D.C. using muscle testing and various other means to augment normal examination procedures. A.K. utilizes diagnosis and treatment ideas from many different systems of treatment, both Eastern and Western, and integrates them into a unified whole that is greater then the sum of the parts. Barry is one of the first physical therapist to every study this system. Currently he takes courses with the president of the International College of Applied Kinesiology.
Connective Tissue Work
Aligns the superficial and deep fascial layers of the body to integrate the body structure. A wonderful way of treating chronic problems and habituated postural patterns that can cause lingering pain. It was developed by Ida Rolf. Today there are many lineage of connective tissue work but they are all based on her original ideas.
Cranial Work
Any work on the skull or craniosacral rhythm developed from the original pioneering work of cranial osteopath Dr. William G. Sutherland. Some examples of this are craniosacral technique (CST), sacral occipital technique (SOT), and cranial-respiratory faults (CRF). All of these systems attempt to normalize the motion of the cranial and fascial bones as well as the craniosacral rhythm that is inherent in everyone. All are very gentle techniques that often have amazing effects through out the body.
Cross Fiber Friction
A treatment developed by The British orthopedic surgeon James Cyrix that manual breaks down scar tissue and adhesions in muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments using short, specific deep strokes and then stimulates the body not to reform the scar. Scar tissue and adhesions weaken all tissue types, decrease function and lead to further injuries and pain both at the site of the dysfunction and distant to it. Scar tissue may persist for years and it is often the cause of chronic or reoccurring conditions.
Energy Work
Any system utilizing and manipulating the patient’s natural biomagnetic field to heal. All electrical systems are surrounded by a magnetic field. Since all people naturally generate small electrical charges within their nervous system, our energetic field is biomagnetic. It is this field which is affected to promote healing. Extremely light touch or no contact is employed. The results can often be startling and hard to believe until experienced for one’s self. A great book on this subject is The Scientific Basis for Energy Work by James L. Oschman.
Gait Analysis
A diagnostic tool used by physicians and physical therapist to diagnosis various musculoskeletal problems by the way they alter the normal pattern of walking. Just think about how many times you have been able to recognize a friend from a distance based on their particular walk! “Here comes Joe. I’d recognize his walk anywhere!”
Muscle Energy Technique
This techniques was developed and perfected by Osteopaths and is widely used by physical therapists. It safely and gently releases tight or overly shortened muscles by using the patient’s own natural force against resistance provided by the therapist.
Myofascial Release
Lengthens the more superficial layers of the fascial matrix. This matrix runs throughout the body and surrounds every muscle, bone, organ and nerve. It is considered to be an organ of shape, support and force transmission throughout the body.
Soft Tissue Release
This treatment combines myofascial release and deep tissue massage with both active and passive movement of the patient’s muscles to help breakdown scar tissue and normalize function. STR is a great treatment for anyone who uses there body hard, from the professional athlete to the computer jockey. If you have a RSI (repetitive stress injury) this just may be the treatment for you.
Strain-Counter Strain
This technique is also know as positional release and was developed by Dr. Lawrence Jones D.O. It is extremely gentle and safe for everyone. Painful muscles are passively shortened and then held for a period of time. By holding the muscles in a passively shortened positioned, their internal tension setting is reset much the same way as one resets a thermostat. When the muscle is slowly returned to its resting position it is much less tender and usually much stronger. S-CS is extremely effective for people who have recently suffered a whiplash injury.
Triggerpoint Work
Triggerpoints are defined by Travell and Simons, two physicians who wrote a landmark book on the subject as:
“A focus of hyperirritability in a tissue that, when compressed is locally tender and, if sufficiently hypersensitive, gives rise to referred pain and tenderness… trigger points usually occur within a taut band of skeletal muscle or in the muscle’s fascia, that when pressed can give rise to characteristic referred pain.”
In other words, triggerpoints are your classic muscular “knot”. Referred pain from active triggerpoints can often mimic neurological pain. Many patients with a diagnosis of sciatica have had nothing more than an active triggerpoint or two in their gluteal muscles. Once relieved, all of there symptoms of pain and tingling disappear.