PAIN SOLUTIONS
Corpo Bene's integrative approach to pain relief.
Our methods are based on finding improper structural and biomechanical patterns in the client's body and movement. In order to find these improper patterns, we analyze dysfunctional postural or gait patterns. Once these patterns are analyzed a comprehensive strategy is designed to guide the client through the five stages of rehabilitation:
1. Eliminate muscle spasm
2. Restore flexibility
3. Restore proper biomechanics
4. Increase muscle strength
5. Increase muscular endurance
Our methods fill a void left by traditional health care by analyzing soft tissue pain causation rather than tending to symptoms. According to recent research approximately 90% of pain symptoms are considered idiopathic, which means there is no known cause. However, often times the reason there is no known cause is that a proper investigation into the client's soft tissues is not being performed.
There is a way to analyze and thoroughly explore the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in order to find these hidden sources of pain. Restoring proper structure and biomechanics not only alleviates pain, but can positively affect a variety of physiological conditions. One of the neurological laws that is the basis for our methology is Wolff's law. Simply stated, Wolff's law states “form follows function and function follows form." Thus, a distortion in the form of the body is often correlated to improper function of the body. For example, a slouching posture can decrease digestive function or a trigger point into the ear can affect hearing or balance. When proper structure is restored to the body, the accompanying physiological problems are often alleviated.
One key method known as Trigger Point Therapy was pioneered and developed in this country by Dr. Janet Travell, President John F. Kennedy's personal physician during his years of persistent back pain. Today it is commonly referred to as Neuromuscular Therapy.
Trigger-point therapy can provide dramatic relief to from many pain symptoms brought on by everyday stresses, overused muscles, whiplash trauma or conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. In these conditions, “soft tissue” pain is often characterized by “trigger points.” Trigger points are extremely sensitive areas that carry the referred sensation of a sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and needles, or the feeling of hot or cold. Trigger points often refer pain to other locations as in headaches or back pain. In some instances they can create symptoms such as nausea, ear aches, equilibrium disturbances, and blurred vision. Trigger point therapy examines and treats the layers of the muscles, closely addressing both the surface and deep tissues and ligaments.
A trigger point is a hyperirritable tender spot in a muscle that refers pain ("triggers pain) to other muscles. This is why the pain in your head may be coming from a neck muscle and the pain in your neck from a shoulder muscle and the pain in your low back from a hip muscle.
If the trigger points are not treated, they can be the culprits in lingering pain even after an injury has healed, and the reason why the headache, neckache, and backache keep returning year after year. Some of the causes of trigger point activity in your muscles are stress, excessive chilling, injury, overuse, strain, as well as chemical, drugs, alcohol, and environmental pollutants.
Active trigger points keep the muscles tight, restricting blood flow and compressing nerves perpetuating a vicious pain-spasm cycle in the muscles. The effect of decreased flexibility limits movement encouraging postural patterns which may sustain the cycle for years. Trigger Point Release Therapy is a valuable component of preventive as well as rehabilitative care.
Various methods used to restore pain-free movement, are:
- Spray and stretch
- Frictioning across the muscle fibers and ends of muscles
- Shaking, stroking, and stretching of muscles and fascia
- Joint movements, isometric exercises and stretching
- Direct pinpoint pressure on the trigger point
- Release of associated skin, tendon, and ligament trigger points
- Posture and gait analysis and re-organization
- Myofascial Release
- Anti-Gravity Technique
- Counter-pressuring
- Long Axis Wringing
Everyone is a unique individual - as much as two bodies are alike - like fingerprints, they each are different. For some people one technique will work very well. For others, a combination of techniques or a completely different technique or process is needed.