OPTIMUM THERAPIES, LLC

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These are broad descriptions and are not all inclusive listing of techniques.  If you have specific questions please contact me and I will be glad to help.
 
Osteopathic Manual Medicine Techniques
 

Muscle Energy Techniques(MET): Manual therapy process that requires the client to actively contract their muscles against a therapist-applied counterforce.  Depending on how it is used, this technique can be used to stretch muscles, strengthen muscles, decrease swelling, or restore motion to various joints throughout the body.  One of the many benefits is that the client controls the intensity by altering the strength and duration of the contraction.

Direct Joint MobiliationArticulatory procedure that utilizes a repetitively applied force to a joint.  There are five different grades of force used during mobilizations, with a lower amount of force used to modulate pain and a greater amount of force used to increase motion at the targeted joint.  A grade five mobilization is also referred to as a high velocity, low amplitude thrust.

High Velocity, Low Amplitude Thrust (HVLA) A manual technique in which the therapist applies a quick but small (low amplitude) force against a barrier of motion.  Care is taken to localize motion to a specific segment or joint, and then provide the manipulating force in a precise direction, minimizing the need for excessive force.  The goal is to increase range of motion and normal joint mechanics to a particularly restricted joint, thereby reducing pain and restoring function.
Functional Indirect Technique(FInd): A manual technique in which the therapist moves the segment away from the restrictive barrier into the range of "freedom" or "ease" of movement.  This point of balanced tension is held for 5-90 seconds, allowing the body's neurological system to "re-boot" facilitating relaxed tension in the tissues around the joints.  This helps to increase range of motion and improves joint function.  This technique is closely related to and sometimes referred to as "Functional Technique", "Strain Counter-Strain," "Positional Release" or "Neuromuscular Release," all of which are in the same family of treatment techniques.
Soft Tissue Manipulative Techniques
 
Therapeutic Massage: is the application of pressure and movement to soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, muscle spasm, stress, promote the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid, and restore proper muscle length.
Myofascial Release: uses gentle, manual stretching to gradually soften, lengthen and realign the fascia. Fascia is the fibrous bands of connective tissue that encase the muscles throughout the body.
Trigger Point Release: is the placement of direct pressure over the trigger point to relax the muscle by interfering with the pain/spasm cycle in the muscle and restoring its proper muscle length and/or tissue pliability.  Trigger points are hyper-irritable spots in the muscle and refer pain to specific areas of the body.
Other Services
   Home Exercise Program A home exercise program will be established on an individualized basis and may include stretching or strengthening exercises and home treatment options.  The exercises may be advanced as progress is made with continued follow up appointments.
   Vestibular and Balance Retraining Many individuals suffer from dizziness and balance problems.  The most common form of dizziness is vertigo.  Physical therapy interventions can be performed to decrease and eliminate the causes of vertigo.  Following a comprehensive evaluation, treatment will be initiated that may include positional retraining, balance and coordination tasks, or habituation techniques.