| FAQs
(Frequently
Asked Questions)
Q. How
does "Active Release Techniques®" work?
A. ART treatment protocols are performed by manually manipulating soft tissue
structures in such a way that they will return to their normal moving relationship
to one another. The body's natural immune response to trauma is
referred to as the cumulative injury cycle. In
an effort to repair and stabilize what it perceives as injury, the body will
develop scar tissue in and between the soft tissue structures of the involved
area.
Obviously, this puts the body at a mechanical as well as neurovascular disadvantage.
With an in depth understanding of how these structures move in relationship to
one another, the ART credentialed provider manually
releases these adhesions, allowing for more normal movement of the whole system.
In the great majority of cases, the patient will see at least some measurable
degree of positive change within the first visit. The
"average" length of treatment for any given condition is between
six to ten visits, never two days in a row. As with all other treatment
provided at FitWellChiropractic Sports Medicine, our entire
premise is to get you better and back to 100% as quickly as
possible.
Q. I can "crack" my neck and back anytime I want to, why should
I see a chiropractor?
A. If a person is able to make the joints in their spine "crack"
easily, it usually means that part of their spine is hyper mobile
or moving more than it should. This means that other parts of the
spine are hypo mobile or not moving enough.
In order for the body to work efficiently in the short term and sustain in the
long term, each joint must work in its' own normal range of motion. A good chiropractor
finds the joints that are not moving sufficiently and adjusts them only. Very
simply put, this will allow the joints that have been working over time to rest
a bit and allow the less mobile ones to work more. Not only does this allow for
more pain free movement, it will also decrease the likelihood that degeneration
of the joints will occur.
This will not happen when our joints "crack" as a side effect of stretching.Certainly
forcing movement ourselves or having someone do it who does not know what they
are doing will only continue to
"adjust" the wrong segments. It is the direction, velocity and
specificity of the adjustment that makes the difference between palliative
treatment, ergogenic assistance and
corrective care.
Q. I have a pain that feels more muscular than joint related.
Could achiropractor help me?
A. The simple fact is that muscles move joints. They do this by contracting and
relaxing. If a muscle and/or its tendons are injured in any way (a strain),
the related joints will be affected. If a joint and its ligaments are compromised
(a sprain), the muscles and their tendons will
also be affected. Additionally other soft tissue structures (fascia)
along with blood vessels and nerves become involved.
The bottom line is that for proper biomechanics,
ALL structures need to freely move and glide in relation to each other. Regardless
of what the "weakest link in the chain" is there
will be a secondary effect. At Fitwell we address all of the possible
are as of compromise by combining complete chiropractic care for the involved
joint structures and Active ReleaseTechniques(R) for the areas of soft
tissue entrapment.
Q. I have numbness and tingling in my hands from working at
the computer. I have rested, stretched, and used ice and heat.
I have even had an ergonomics "expert" evaluate
my workstation. The problem is still there. What's wrong?
A. Repetitive motions can easily create compromise of all soft tissues,creating
what is referred to as cumulative trauma disorder.
The problem can occur locally at the area of symptoms as well as at the spinal
level associated with that area of the body. According to the law
of repetitive motion, insult to tissues has a myriad of effects.
Essentially, motion that in some way deters from optimum will signal the body
to form scar tissue in an attempt to heal. The formation of these adhesions in
and around soft tissue structures decreases the freely gliding movements necessary
for proper function. The kind of motions occurring with actions such as keyboard
work; the number of repetitions, the tension brought on with short motions and
the lack of rest periods usually occurring set us up for such problems.
Unless the involved structures are again enabled to move past each other with
the least amount of friction, the situation cannot be resolved no matter what
other actions are taken. Active Release Techniques® is the most effective
and efficient way to recreate this healthier environment in the body. By physically
manipulating the tissues to begin freely moving past one another, the cycle of
cumulative trauma can be broken.
Q. I have chronic lower back pain. I see my chiropractor, which
helps, and I religiously do my stretches. And yet I continue to
have this nagging lowerback pain, my hamstrings feel tight and
I can't seem to hold my adjustments. What else can I do?
A. Given that the adjustments help but do not hold, this would be a good time
to consider what is happening to the soft tissue in and around the area and the
specific proactive therapy you are doing outside
the doctor'soffice. At Fitwell, we find that the most lasting and beneficial
results are obtained if we consider all areas of possible compromise in any situation.
In order to be sure that the adjustments are going to hold, we believe that the
supporting structures must be able to freely move so that support and effective
function can occur. In the case of lower back pain for example, it is not at
all uncommon for the soft tissue structures supporting the pelvis to become adhered
to one another, which would certainly preclude a specifically delivered joint
adjustment from "holding". Again, ART is most effective treatment for this kind
of situation.
In addition, examination of the stretches and exercises would be essential.The
most common denominator when focusing on this area of the body is proper pelvic
stabilization. If exercises the patient is performing are not focused with
this very specific goal in mind, the best resolution will not occur.The progressive
rehabilitation we provide is targeted directly at these kinds of concerns,
realizing that the key to all health and fitness is its progressive nature. Without functional
core stability, we are at the least making little or no gains and at the
worst, continually going to reinjure ourselves.
Q. I notice that one shoulder sometimes appears "higher and
more forward" than the other. Also, I frequently am very sore in
my neck along with headaches. This
happens at different times, like when I am at work or when I am
driving. I regularly exercise and my personal
fitness trainer says I have excellent posture when
I workout. What's that all about?
A. Postural distortion is one of the most insidious ways in which we experience
cumulative trauma. While we may be conscious of it in the gym, it is everywhere
else that we are actually "hard wiring"
the way we carry ourselves. The bipedal
structure of our musculoskeletal frames and certainly the vast
majority of our life activities lend themselves to problems such
as the one described above.
Regardless of how it occurs, poor posture that is unchanging results in constant
high forces in the musculature. Altered motion and adhesions of the related joints,
muscles and other soft tissues create injury and pain such as that described
above. In addition, poor scapular stabilization adds
to the disposition of the shoulder. Overly active neck extensors contribute to
the headaches.
The most important and easiest form of "self health care" is effective and efficient
use of posture. Very simple postural cues or "body
mantras" can be effectively utilized to help maintain energy efficient movement
and decrease painful situations. Combined with effective chiropractic care and
application of A.R.T. protocols, training for functional
core strength will vastly improve this situation.
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