I am not a trained medical professional, this is just a primer to explore ways to reduce chronic or Sports pain.
The body is a complex system and when injured it may heal incorrectly or need some help in realignment or relearning.
-A good fall or auto accident or even a wrong twist or turn can cause pressure at the spinal column.
Chiropractic manipulation can reduce the pressure on nerve roots that lead to pain and muscle spasms. Traction devices to reduce pressure.
Physical Therapy can help retrain muscles and balance using exercise training.
Tools: TENS, Ultrasound, STEM, Heat, ICE, Epsom Salts, BioFreeze, Arnica Gel, Stretch bands
Medication: Medrol dose pack Oral steroid low dose 2 weeks to reduce nerve root inflammation. Methylprednisolone is a steroid that prevent
s the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.
My latest visit to my Chiropractor (Dr. Lance Loomis Carney Chiropractic) was for a constant left leg numbness, pain, spasms.
Upon x-ray examination, the issue was a grade 1 slip at S1 L5. Over 2 months, at up to 3 times a week of manipulation heat and stem along with the Medrol dose pack had my
leg nerve issues corrected.
The nerve was now fine but the body over 4 years learned to balance incorrectly leading to many muscle trigger points and knots in my Glute (Max, Med), Vas lat and bicep hamstring. My calves were shorter and tight.
I searched for relief of the trigger point muscle issues and found Dry Needling may be helpful. Here is my path with Physical Therapy combined with dry needling. Not acupuncture, but placing a similar needle into the trigger point know and getting a twitch response.
Welcome MAX at ElitePT – He is using DN dry needling, deep massage and exercises. Soreness for a day or two but the range of motio
n and less spasm knots after 2 treatments is impressive.
Elite PT LLC – Harbor East www.elitept.com
655 President Street Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 528-9127
Redskins NFL use of Dry Needle
The PT / DN Phase of treatment has been a combination of
DN day – Dry Needle, Deep Massage, Exercises – (Stretch bands, balance, Bosu ball)
Dry needle two times a week for 2 weeks then once a week and add POOL PT. When DN is performed I do get some minor pain and can feel the twitch. For real deep knots, it tends to be more painful and at the insertion point. Pain is managed by deep breathing. Once complete the muscles feel fine then about 4 hours later the inflammation response kicks in. A good sign and will last about 2 days. Do not take NASIDS let the inflammation run it’s course.
Max @ MAC – Photo – Elite PT
KTTape – Ready to Ski Race
POOL PT I have never experienced before and add it to your summer play time. Pretty basic with stretch bands, medicine ball, and some floating resistance devices and a 1-hour workout can be fun. POOL is a great way to gain muscle memory for skiing.
RESULTS : Better heel-toe walk. Better angles, more range of motion. I can now press hard on my thigh with no trigger point pain. Ski racing performance increase of 6%.
Source Material:
Rapid Recuperation: Five workout recovery strategies
James Harrison using dry needles to prolong career with Steelers
Dry needling relieves pain for athletes
