Physical Therapy

Twin Cities Pain Clinic is a Postural Restoration Certified (PRC) Center

Our highly-skilled physical therapy staff specializes in treatment of acute and chronic pain. Combined, our PT department has more than 50 years of experience treating patients with pain.

The strength of our on-site physical therapy department lies in the fact that it shares office space with the clinic. It allows for regular collaboration between physical therapists and medical staff to coordinate the plan of care which may include a combination of both physical therapy and medical intervention (see Pain Management Procedures).

Physical therapy treatment times run longer than the industry standard, lasting from 45 minutes to an hour. Longer treatment time allows for individualized patient care. With chronic pain patients, the additional time is used to identify factors in a patient’s lifestyle that may be the source of pain. Once a patient leaves TCPC Physical Therapy, he or she will have gained the knowledge and tools to ward off future flare-ups.

Following are a list of conventional and nonconventional approaches used by our physical therapists.

Exercises

Nearly all our patients are given a personalized exercise plan suited to his or her area(s) of pain and subsequent rehabilitation program. Our physical therapy staff uses a wide variety of exercise programs suited to the individual patient including

Neuromuscular:
This is also referred to as muscle reeducation. It’s any type of exercise directed at facilitating inhibited (hypertonic) muscles with incorrect neural instruction.
It also encompasses proprioceptive retraining or joint position sense awareness.

Therapeutic Exercises:
A class of exercises which stretches and strengthens your muscles and increasing range of motion.

Manual Therapy

Passive exercises the physical therapist will do to the patient to increase range of motion.

Myofascial Release:
An application of gentle static pressure into the facial (connective tissue) system to release restrictions.

Muscle Energy Technique:
Using the patient’s own muscle contraction to reposition a joint to normal.

Active Release Techniques:
Apply external pressure with dynamic movement of the muscle to achieve release of restriction.

Strain Counterstrain:
A method of positioning muscles to change inappropriate neural activity.

Joint Mobilization:
Moving the joint through a plane of motion to release restriction and improve range of motion.

Soft Tissue Mobilization:
A hands-on technique to reduce muscle spasms.

Craniosacral Therapy:
This form of treatment is also referred to as cranial osteopathy, or CranioSacral bodywork. It is a method of alternative medicine that addresses the whole body, mind and spirit. A craniosacral therapy session involves the physical therapist placing her hands on the patient in order to tune in to the craniosacral system. By gently working with the spine, skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia, the restrictions of nerve passages are said to be eased, the movement of the CSF through the spinal cord can be optimized, and misaligned bones are said to be restored to their proper position.
Craniosacral therapy can be used to treat mental stress, neck and back pain, migraines, TMJ syndrome, and chronic pain conditions.

Postural Restoration

Postural Restoration is a physical therapy technique that aims to restore a more neutral posture for patients. The goal of postural restoration training is to allow injured areas of the body to heal faster and more efficiently. Postural restoration uses manual treatments by a therapist and specific exercises to help patients use their body in a more balanced state.

Here are the common symptoms that Postural Restoration therapy would be used to help treat:

Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath.
The feeling of being “out of alignment”.
Hip, pelvic, low back pain.
Abdominal, chest wall, and rib cage strains.
Cervical pain or headaches.
Knee and foot injuries.
Stress related muscle tension.
Shoulder impingement or tendonitis.

Postural Restoration therapy is often used in conjunction with other treatments for pain and muscle spasms, including use of heat and massage. Pain and inflammation can also be treated with ultrasound and electrical stimulation. A home exercise program may also be given to a patient undergoing Postural Restoration therapy.

More information on clinical studies evaluating Postural Restoration therapy may be found at www.posturalrestoration.com.

McKenzie Method

Unique to the McKenzie Method is a well-defined algorithm that leads to the simple classification of spinal-related disorders. It is based on a consistent "cause and effect" relationship between historical pain behavior as well as the pain response to repeated test movements, positions and activities during the assessment process. McKenzie treatment uniquely emphasizes education and active patient involvement in the management of their treatment in order to decrease pain quickly, and restore function and independence, minimizing the number of visits to the clinic.

source:mckenziemdt.org.

MedX

Many back and neck problems can be helped through aggressive therapy using MedX equipment. This state-of-the-art, computerized exercise equipment isolates the muscles of the back and neck and increases your strength and flexibility, which assists in a reduction of pain. MedX isolates the back and neck extensors so that the treatment can be focused on the musculature that has been injured. MedX allows you to exercise safely at higher intensity levels.

MedX exercise programs follow medically documented protocols for people with persistent back pain.

Modalities

Modalities are treatments the physical therapy administers with the help of a machine to achieve a specific goal. The following treatments are sometimes preparations to help patients tolerate other therapies.

Ultrasound:
Physical therapy sessions may include the use of ultrasound to reduce pain and increase flexibility to tightened muscles. Ultrasound waves can penetrate deep into the tissue and cause warming of the tissue, providing improved circulation and flexibility. Ultrasound may be used in conjunction with individually tailored exercise programs to help a patient regain full mobility.

Electrical Stimulation (E-Stim):
A TENS Unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), would be one form of E-Stim therapy. A TENS Unit is a small, battery operated device that delivers low-voltage electrical current through the skin via electrodes placed near the source of pain. The electricity from the electrodes stimulates nerves in the affected area and sends signals to the brain that scramble normal pain perception. TENS is not painful and has proven to be an effective therapy to mask pain.

Cervical and Lumbar Traction:
Traction gently extends the neck or low back, opening the spaces between the vertebrae and temporarily alleviating pressure on the affected discs. Cervical or lumbar traction can either be done continuously or intermittently, alternating between short periods of pulling and resting.

Iontophoresis:
A method of pushing medication through the skin with an electrical current for direct delivery to the injured site.