Graston Technique (IASTM)

What is Graston Technique?

Graston technique is an instrument assisted soft tissue massage method that is utilized to locate and treated soft tissue dysfunctions including tendonitis, muscle strain/tear, ‘knots’, and scar tissue restrictions.  

What conditions does Graston?

Dr. Vance uses Graston technique on patients with golfers elbow, tennis elbow, chronic muscle ‘knots’, headaches, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, and scar tissue restrictions.  Many chronic conditions with scar tissue built up find great relief from Graston Technique.

What to expect from Graston?

Dr. Vance will take an initial history and perform an examination to find specific restrictions in movement that is causing pain, nerve impingement or limitations in movement.  Graston is a metal tool that, with emollient, will be utilized to ‘scrape’ the scar tissue / restritions.  Mild discomfort can be felt during treatment with significant relief felt almost immediately.  Dermal level bruising (on the skin) is a common side effect of Graston as scar tissue is broken down and will be utilized when ART is a hands on treatment where Dr. Vance applies pressure to muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments while having the patient move through an active range of motion utilizing specific treatment protocols.    

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ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUES (ART)

What is ART?

Dr. Vance is a certified therapists in the use Active Release Techniques(ART) to diagnose and treat soft tissue injuries.  This manual, hands-on therapy breaks up adhesions which limit normal range of motion causing pain and tension.  ART is based on movement to ensure proper movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments that can cause pain, limited movement, and nerve impingement (pinching).  ART has over 500 specific protocols to specifically and systematically alleviate patients pain.

What conditions does ART treat?

Dr. Vance uses ART on patents with headaches, neck pain, back pain, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, muscle strains, knee pain, golfers elbow, tennis elbow, scar tissue restriction, pinched nerves, and many other conditions.  Many overuse / repetitive strain injuries, nerve impingement syndromes, muscle strains/tears, tendonitis conditions can see great relief through ART. 

What to expect from ART treatment?

Dr. Vance will take an initial history and perform an examination to find specific restrictions in movement that is causing pain, nerve impingement or limitations in movement.  ART is a hands on treatment where Dr. Vance applies pressure to muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments while having the patient move through an active range of motion utilizing specific treatment protocols.    

Spinal Traction

What is Spinal Traction?

Spinal traction (Decompression Therapy) utilizes a mechanical table to treat the intervertebral disc.

What Conditions does traction treat?

Herniated discs, sciatica, pinched nerves, slipped disc, bone spurs, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease.

What to expected from Spinal Traction?

Spinal Traction allows patients to lay down and relax while specialized table and machine will stretch the neck or back to treat the discs and joints.  Through specific placement and specific angles of the body traction will feel like a stretch that helps to improve health of the disc, alleviate nerve pain, and stretch degenerative joints and discs.  

Kinesiology Tape

What is Kinesiology Tape

Kinesiology tape has been around since the 1970’s and was developed in Japan.  In the US Kinesiology tape was made famous when it was worn by US Olympians in the early 2000’s.  It is applied to the skin to support the body in holding adjustments , supporting muscle conditions, helping heal sports injuries, and decreasing swelling.

What Conditions Does Kinesiology treat?

Kinesiology tape works well in postural conditions, muscle strains

What to expect from kinesiology taping?

Kinesiology tape is a cotton, elastic tape with a non-latex adhesive.  Taping typically last 3-5 days and can be worn in the shower, swimming, or during exercise.

Cupping

What is Cupping?

Cupping is an ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern treatment technique that dates back to as early as 1550 B.C.  Cupping utilizes suction to increase blood flow to the region it is applied where it can alleviate muscle tension, pain and increase cellular repair.

This technique can be utilized in a variety of conditions and is an effective treatment for pain management.

What Conditions does Cupping Treat? 

Cupping is utilized at BodyBack for muscle conditions as well as tendonitis issues.  Most commonly for the neck, lower back, shoulder, knee, and arms.

What to Expect from Cupping? 

Cupping at BodyBack utilizes lotion and/or biofreeze to create a ‘wet’ cupping effect using silicone cups.  This can be performed stationary to promote blood flow to muscle ‘knots’ or for improved cellular repair in tendons.  It can also be performed with active range of motion or moving cups to improve overall pain free range motion and alleviate muscle tension.  Post treatment it is common to experience bruising

Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) / Interferential Therapy (IFT)

What is EMS?  

EMS is used for rehabilitation purposes for activation of muscles that have atrophied / become inhibited post injury.  The goal of EMS is to facilitate muscular contractions to assist the nervous system in proper activation of muscles.  This done by acting as the brain does to stimulate muscles through the nervous system.

What is IFT?

IFT is used to relieve pain and assist the body in healing. Electric interferential current creates a deeper penetration than a TENS unite that helps to reduce pain.  This is done through muscular relaxation as well as endorphin release at the cellular level.

What Conditions Does Electric Muscle Stimulation Treat?

EMS is most commonly utilized at BodyBack to activate muscles post nerve impingement such as herniated discs, radiculopathy, sciatica,  peripheral nerve entrapments, and muscle weakness.

What Conditions Does Interferential Therapy Treat?  

IFT is utilized at BodyBack for general pain conditions and for to help relax tense muscles.  IFT is commonly utilized in chronic pain conditions. 

What To Expect From EMS / IFT?  

Both EMS and IFT are applied using electrodes on the skin to conduct a therapeutic electrical current to the muscles.  This is done at the patient’s comfort level with many describing IFT as a massage.  EMS is utilized to produce an actual muscle contraction producing a ‘ jumping’ affect that is both pain free and produces relax