TREATMENT METHODS

1. Needling & Infiltration

Trigger point injection stops the pain and relieves muscle spasms immediately, allowing active movement (limbering exercises). Trigger point injection substantially accelerates recovery in both muscle and ligament after sprain/strain injury  "Needling" in order to break up mechanically the painful and tender tissue is combined with infiltration by local anesthetic, (trigger point) injections  Preinjection blocks (PIB) prevent pain from needle penetration

2. Nerve Blockade/Neural Therapy

Neural therapy is a technique that breaks up a vicious cycle of pain. Pain signals from the muscles and joints cause changes in the central nervous system (CNS) that in turn causes changes in the nerves affecting muscles and joints, perpetuating pain. By injecting local anesthetics into specific sites, such as hypersensitive skin or tight bands of muscle, this cycle is broken, allowing the CNS to normalize, and decrease pain. In Europe, neural therapy is a widely used modality in treating chronic pain.

 

3. Spinal and Peripheral Joint Mobilization

Spinal and peripheral joints become immobile with chronic pain, muscle spasm, and muscle shortening. Mobilization is the passive movement of a joint through its physiological range of motion. Repetitive passive joint oscillations at the limit of the joints available range has positive effects on mobility, and reduction in pain due to effects on the central nervous system by release of endorphins (natural pain killers).

 

4. Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is an injection treatment designed to stimulate healing of chronic ligament and tendon weakness ( ligaments attach bone to bone at joints, and tendons attach muscle to bone). The painful weakened areas are injected with a proliferate (novocaine with glucose), which is a solution that directly stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues. The healing process can be expected to take about four to six weeks after the initial treatment. As the tendons and ligaments grow stronger and more capable of doing their tasks, the pain is alleviated. Endorsed by Dr. Koop (Former United States Surgeon General)

 

5. Trigger Point Injections/Acupuncture

	Trigger Point Injections Chronic inflammation and pain results in muscle spasms and lead to changes in the muscle structure. Long lasting muscle spasm causes accumulation of fibrotic tissue inside the muscle (can be palpated as taut band) with subsequent muscle shortening. This changes prevent restoration of the joint normal function by manipulation. Trigger points are located in taut bands of muscle and are especially tender to palpate. Anesthetic injection of the trigger point, the muscle tendon junction and tendon attachment to bone provides a complete needling and infiltration treatment of the tight muscle and mechanical distraction of fibrotic tissue, resulting in relaxation. This increases circulation to the area and decreases pressure on joints.
	Link to American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
	Acupuncture Acupuncture is a medical technique developed in China several thousand years ago to treat a variety of illnesses. Needles are placed in acupuncture points of the body or ear for stimulation, causing a therapeutic change. Acupuncture needling is relatively painless. The skin, which is richly innervated with pain fibers, is punctured quickly, minimizing discomfort. A dull ache may be felt several seconds after the needle is placed. Chronic pain often involves a musculo-skeletal disorder and a dysfunction of the pain control system. Acupuncture regulates this pain system and restores the normal function. Headaches, back pain, muscle pain and joint pain are all aided by acupuncture.
	Treatment of Resistent Cases of Neck, Back Pain, and Migraine A highly stable, purified form of botulinum toxin type A is currently marketed in the U.S. under the brand name Botox(R) by Allergan, Inc. for the treatment of strabismus and blepharospasm associated with dystonia (disorder of the eye muscle that controls blinking). Researchers across the country are also showed its uses in a number of other disorders including cervical dystonia (involuntary muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders), post-stroke spasticity, back pain, migraine and tension headache Botox works by blocking the excessive release of acetylcholine from the peripheral nerve terminal at the neuromuscular junction (where the nerve transmits signals to the muscle). The affected terminals are inhibited from stimulating muscle contraction, resulting in muscle relaxation. Over a period of several months the beneficial effects gradually fade. Side effects of treatment with Botox are usually transient and mild to moderate in nature.