| Services

Cryotherapy | Superficial Heat | Ultrasound | Excersise Therapy | Electro-Muscular Stimulation | Interferential Electro-Therapy | Trigger-Point Therapy | Orthotics | ART | AIS | Strain Counterstrain (SCS)

My First Visit

On your first visit to our office you will be welcomed as a member of our family and our receptionist will greet you with a warm smile. You will then be asked to fill out some forms, which will help us gain some information about yourself and your condition.

A physical therapist will then talk with you and ask you some specific questions regarding your condition to determine how we may best serve you. After a thorough consultation with the therapist, you will have a complete examination. This will include testing your reflexes, your ability to turn and bend as well as other standard orthopedic, neurologic, postural, and physical examinations. This exam allows the therapist to gain valuable information regarding your condition so that he/she will have a better understanding of how we can help you.

Once all the information and examinations have been performed, the therapist will give you a report of findings and tell you recommendations for  treatment.
 

Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is the application of ice, ice massage, or compressions to reduce the temperature of tissue, thus reducing inflammation by decreasing the blood flow to the area of application, numbing the painful area, and stopping further swelling. Ice is most often used at the onset of an acute injury or an exacerbation of a chronic injury.

Superficial Heat
Superficial heat is the application of heat to the body by way of direct contact. This heat increases the temperature of the tissue being treated. It helps to increase the circulation, reduces joint stiffness, relaxes tissues such as muscles in spasm and connective tissue, and relieves pain temporarily. Heat is usually used for chronic pain conditions and/or muscle spasms.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a high frequency sound, which penetrates the soft tissue on the surface of the body and creates a heat response deep within the soft tissue being treated. It causes an increase in blood circulation, relaxes deep muscle spasms, and speeds up the healing process of damaged tissue.

Exercise Therapy
Therapeutic exercise is a individualized assessment from a chiropractic physician which includes stretches, strengthening movements, and aerobic activity designed specifically for the purpose of increasing ranges of motion, increasing support and stability to injured areas, rehabilitation, and prevention of further injuries.

Electro-Muscular Stimulation
This is a specific form of electrical current applied at the site of soft tissue injury. Small amounts of electrical currents are introduced to the surface of the body, and these currents reduce the swelling in the tissue, reduce pain sensations, promote muscle tone, and increase the healing process.

Interferential Electro-Therapy
This is much like electro-muscular stimulation in its application. Interferential is used primarily for pain relief. These currents are helpful in the release of endorphins within the body, which naturally relieve pain.

Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points are uncontrolled muscle spasms which cause referred pain to other areas of the body. These muscle spasms cause pain, decrease range of motion, and increase muscle weakness. Trigger point therapy is the act of decreasing of relieving these muscle spasms. The spasms are relieved by sustaining pressure over a short period of time. This treatment is a great way to reduce chronic muscle spasms, avoid scar tissue formation, improve muscle tone, and increase range of motion.

Active Release Technique®
The Active Release Technique® was developed by Dr. P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP®. ART® is a patented soft tissue movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Each ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining specifically directed tension with very specific patient movements. For more information go to www.activerelease.com

Active Isolated Stretching
The Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) Method was developed by Aaron L. Mattes, RKT, LMT for the therapeutic treatment of deep and superficial fascial release. It is a dynamic facilitated stretch of major muscle groups. This technique allows the muscle to stretch for only up to 2 seconds to prevent the protective stretch reflex while lengthening the tissue. For more information on this technique to to www.stretchingusa.com

Strain Counterstrain (SCS)
Strain counterstrain was developed by the osteopathic physician Dr. Lawrence Jones. SCS is a manual massage technique created to relieve musculoskeletal pain and spasms. It is a positional release technique and a gentle and safe technique that relieves spinal or other join pain by passively shortening the affected muscle groups.

Orthotics
At Performance Therapeutics we also specialize in the prescription and fabrication of custom made accommodative and semirigid foot orthotics for foot pain and proper lower extremity alignment.  A thorough evaluation of each patients needs is performed through assessment of lower extremity structural alignment, foot pronation-supination alignment, and video gait analysis.  If custom orthotics is recommended a cast impression is made of the patients feet and orthotics are fabricated in less than 2 weeks.  Orthotics are covered by some insurance companies. Contact your service representative for information regarding your health care coverage.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are foot and ankle supports designed to insert into casual, dress, or athletic shoes.  Orthotics are designed with a variety of materials, from rigid to flexible, and are commonly prescribed for athletes, children, and adults.  Orthotics are custom made and are designed to withstand the repetitive and prolonged stresses of standing, walking, and running, and usually last for several years.  Orthotics realign the forces of gravity from the ground up and reduce abnormal musculoskeletal function.  Orthotics provide functional shock absorption by improving foot pronation. 

Orthotics control the abnormal compensatory motion of the heel, ankle and forefoot.  Individual with ankles that roll in, flat feet, leg, back or sacroiliac pain, chronic shin splints, achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, may benefit from the use of orthotics.  Heel spurs, diabetic foot uclers, unusual bony prominence or malformation, neuromotor dysfunction, neuromas, muscle cramping, and flaccidity, may also be treated with orthotics.