Treatment
You will see a difference after your first visit! We believe that physical therapy treatments done right should display immediate results.
At Empower Movement our secret sauce to getting you back to what you love is a combination approach- using the right tools for you in the right order.
Dry Needling
ABOUT THIS TREATMENT
Trigger points are irritated hard knots in your muscles that are a build up of muscle toxins (calcium deposits, lactic acid, etc). By inserting a monofilament needle into these spots it stimulates the irritated muscle, which releases the muscle toxins, thereby reducing pain and movement restriction. This treatment is cutting edge and there are only a handful of physical therapists in the United States that have completed the rigorous training seminars we have gone through in this clinic.
The results facilitate rapid and lasting positive changes!
MORE INFO ABOUT DRY NEEDLING
Does it hurt?
It is no worse than the pain you are feeling on a daily basis! Depending on the muscle, the amount of reported pain is variable. Larger muscles often produce more soreness. People that HATE needles, often LOVE getting dry needled! These needles are seven times smaller than in injection needle so you feel almost nothing as it enters your skin barrier.
Injuries that can benefit from dry needling:
Many musculoskeletal injuries will benefit from physical therapy in conjunction with dry needling. Here are a few of the areas that are seen to make a large clinical impact:
- TMJ
- Headaches
- Frozen shoulder
- General shoulder pain or limited range of motion
- Back pain
- Sciatica
- Hamstring strain
- Runner’s knee/patellofemoral pain
- Groin strain
- Ankle sprains
- Plantar fasciitis
- Acute and chronic tendonitis
- Athletic and sports-related overuse injuries
- Post-surgical pain
- Post-traumatic injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and work related injuries
- Repetitive strain injuries
Dry needling can be used on all muscles, many tendons and at the joints.
Is Dry Needling the same as Acupuncture?
Although both techniques use very fine, sterile needles that are inserted into various parts of the body, there are distinct differences:
- Physical Therapists do not claim to practice acupuncture, and it would be incorrect to refer to a practitioner of dry needling as an “Acupuncturist” since practitioners do not use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts.
- We do not use TCM acupuncture theories, meridian acupoints or terminology.
- We do not use TCM ancient meridian systems, such as Qi (Chi) or energy channels.
- We do not use TCM acupuncture diagnostic techniques like tongue and pulse assessments.
- We treat primarily neuromusculoskeletal conditions and aim for specific physiological targets to evoke an immediate tissue response, where a TCM practitioner works on balancing whole body systems.
Joint Mobilizations and Manipulations
ABOUT THIS TREATMENT
Joint mobilizations and manipulations are a type of manual therapy (“hands-on” therapy) where the therapist has identified an issue with the joint (it moves too much, moves too little, is not in correct alignment, or is inflamed) and works to correct the issue specifically at the joint.
Joint mobilizations and manipulations help to restore normal joint movement, positively impact the nervous system and protect signals the nerves send to the joint that cause a pain response with movement and positions. Joint manipulations use a high velocity/low amplitude thrust maneuver to achieve the same physiological effects as joint mobilization, but with less treatment time.
Soft Tissue Mobilization
About this treatment
Soft tissue refers to any tissue that is not a bone. Often soft tissue such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia can become restricted, taut and painful. We use a variety of techniques similar to massage with our hands or with tools (cupping, edge fascial tool). This helps promote healing blood flow, mobilize the tissue and reduce tissue tension pain.
Myofascial Release
ABOUT THIS TREATMENT
Fascial tissue is a casing that surrounds our muscles and organs. If you have ever cut up chicken, this is the white film material- we have it too. It helps our muscles slide and glide over each other and if this tissue gets stuck it can restrict movement. We have specific techniques that we can use to get your fascial tissue moving.
Strain Counterstrain / Muscle Energy Technique
About this treatment
Patients are engaged in restoring muscle function by actively contracting their own muscles. When the patient relaxes the muscle, the therapist works to help lengthen the muscles. We are not only treating your muscles but also retraining your body to do what it should be doing.
Nerve Glide
About this treatment
Nerves are passive tissues that slide and glide through other tissues such as muscles, bones, viscera, and fascia. As we move, restrictions in the nerve can cause pain, numbness and tingling. Proper movement of the nerve through the tissue helps to restore function. This a step that is often skipped! We understand the anatomy of the nerves so we will put your body in the appropriate positions to get some of the neural tension released.