MEDICAL THERAPY
Medical Therapy (MT) is a form of health care that identifies, corrects, and alleviates an acute or prolonged musculoskeletal or neurological dysfunction. The doctors and staff at QLMC achieve optimal MT by designing an individualized program for each patient, following an extensive evaluation. Our MT program includes a variety of exercises, functional activities, and treatment modalities to achieve strength, flexibility, and independence. A specially designed home exercise program, along with education in self-care, is also provided.
The following conditions, ailments, and disorders can potentially benefit from MT:
- Degenerative/arthritic conditions
- Difficulty walking or instability
- Post-fractures/post-joint replacements
- Osteoporosis
- Amputations
- Musculoskeletal injuries (sprains, strains, bursitis, tendonitis)
- Back/neck injuries and sports-related injuries
- Post-mastectomy
- Lymphedema
- Balance disorders
- Neurological disorders (stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease)
- Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndromes
- Wound/minor burn care
- Weakness due to medical condition(s)
Trigger Point Therapy
What is a trigger point? A trigger point is an area of hyper-irritability within soft-tissue structures, characterized by localized tenderness and – at times – referred phenomena. These referred sensations can include pain, tingling, numbness, burning, or itching.
Facts to keep in mind regarding trigger points:
- Not all trigger points refer pain; some are merely localized
- The origin of a trigger point is thought to derive from changes in the chemical balance in a local area, thereby irritating sensory systems
- Trigger points can form anywhere in the body, but are typically found at sites where the greatest mechanical/postural stress occurs
The possible origins of trigger points include:
- Acute overload, overwork, fatigue, direct trauma
- Skeletal asymmetry (one leg shorter than the other, pelvic imbalances)
- The presence of other trigger points, which can cause new trigger points to occur
- Arthritic joints
- Common post-injury vitamin/mineral deficiencies (B-6, magnesium, vitamin C, folic acid)
- Hypoglycemia
Treatment of Trigger Points:
Pain management clinicians and medical researchers have found that trigger-point pain often responds to firm, noninvasive physical pressure, occurring deep within the muscle tissue. This treatment approach may be referred to as “ischemic compression,” “myofascial release,” “neuromuscular therapy,” “acupressure,” “myotherapy,” and “deep tissue massage,” among other terms. These and related treatments usually involve deep, sustained pressure applied directly to trigger points, which often allows the muscle to relax, making it possible to stretch and – eventually, over time – exercise the muscle back to pain-free fitness and health.
Motor Vehicle Accidents and Physical Therapy
By: Lisa M. Oberstar
“Whiplash” is one of the most commonly used terms to describe neck pain, especially if it’s the result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA). Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration mechanism regarding energy transference to the neck, which can result from a rear-end or side-impact motor vehicle collision. Whiplash-related pain may be localized in the neck, or it may radiate into the head, shoulders, or upper extremities.
In most cases, a whiplash injury will benefit from early rehabilitation, and conservative-treatment approaches like massage and mobilization are quite effective after the initial stages of a whiplash-related injury. As rehabilitation progresses, treatment methods requiring greater muscular effort (for example, active-engagement techniques) will help the affected tissues regain their proper tone and function. (Note: It’s important not to be too forceful when utilizing increased-effort methods, as this may cause further damage.)
Therapy generally encompasses pain relief, strength, and flexibility training; proper postural alignment; the regaining of movement and range of motion; the improvement and correction of posture; endurance training; relaxation/stress-relieving techniques; balance and coordination training; proper walking; education and safety awareness; and the development and implementation of a home exercise program.
Please keep in mind that although almost everyone can benefit from some form of therapy, those who have suffered an injury due to
- a work-related or automobile accident
- a falling accident
- overstress (commonly suffered by athletes)
- arthritis
- pre- and post-operative complications
- general deconditioning
may make the greatest gains – and gain the most from – a disciplined therapy regimen.