Neuromuscular Reeducation

CHIROPRACTIC | NMR | EXERCISE THERAPY | DECOMPRESSION THERAPY
NUTRITION SERVICES | MASSAGE THERAPY | TRIGGER POINT THERAPY

Overview

Neuromuscular Reeducation is a dynamic technique focused on soft tissue rehabilitation. It is a non-invasive treatment designed to restore proper muscle function and movement to enable the body to heal and perform at its most efficient level. NMR treatments involve the use of specific protocols that deal directly with the patient's dysfunction. These protocols combine the use of pressure, tension and motion to force the layers of muscle and tissue to work together properly.

There are very few Chiropractors who incorporate a focus on soft tissue injuries into their practice, however, many injuries to the spine, extremities and nervous system should not be immediately treated with Chiropractic manipulation until the adhesions in the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.) have been treated.

Chiropractors who are trained in Neuromuscular Reeducation have an extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. They are also experts in soft tissue adhesions and can treat these injuries with amazing results.

Understanding Adhesions

Soft tissue injuries are created when muscles and tendons become torn as a result of repeated physical movement or overuse. Your body repairs these microscopic tears through the build up of scar tissue also known as adhesions. Muscles and tendons initially heal with weak, haphazard adhesions, which not only bind the torn tissues but also the healthy tissues in the surrounding area. As these adhesions form, they may restrict the normal movement of muscles, tendons and nerves. This creates inflammation and irritation. Other common symptoms include:

Soft tissue injuries may happen abruptly as a result of a sports injury or they may come on slowly, over a greater period of time, as with carpal tunnel or tendonitis. Too often, people only feel slight burning or stiffness and do not realize how much damage is really being done.

Treating the Symptom

Many doctors prescribe pain medication, anti-inflammatories, cortisone, bracing and surgery to address the symptoms. Although these remedies do provide some relief, they do not break up the adhesions that have formed around the muscles, tendons, and nerves.

The truth about....

Anti-inflammatories - Inflammation is a natural part of the healing process. Anti-inflammatories may mask the injury by suppressing the signs and symptoms of inflammation, but do not address the mechanism of injury. Your injury may become more severe without the symptoms to warn you. Other side effects include gastrointestinal problems, ulcers and liver dysfunction.

Cortisone/Steroids - Are extremely powerful anti-inflammatories. Cortisone has been found to degrade and weaken muscle tissue and tendons. Other potential side effects include: thinning of the skin and bones (Osteoporosis), easy bruising, weight gain, elevation of blood pressure and cataract formation.

Bracing/Taping - restricting the muscles and tendons while they are trying to heal may encourage the formation of excessive scar tissue. It can also result in poor healing and a higher risk of re-injury. Proper movement is required to reshape the adhesions.

Exercise Therapy - strengthening and conditioning exercises are also prescribed to rehabilitate injured muscles and tendons, however, the increased load of many exercises may lead to more injury and pain, or cause new tearing unless the injury has been healed first. Exercise therapy should be prescribed after the injury has been treated with NMR.

Surgery- surgery uses invasive techniques in an attempt to resolve soft-tissue dysfunction. Surgery, though sometimes necessary, often results in numerous physical complications, adverse reactions to medication, and extended time away from work.

There is only one way to permanently eliminate the pain and inflammation from an injury: Completely HEAL the injury.

Treating the Injury

The Neuromuscular Reeducation technique focuses on locating and breaking up the cross-fiber adhesions in the injured areas. A chiropractor who is skilled in this technique is taught methods for.

The goal of NMR is to:

The Final Step: Active Rehabilitation

Freeing the adhesion is only part of the battle. When you have pain and limited range of motion due to an injury, you adapt your body mechanics to fit that limitation. This unconscious mental adaptation often persists long after the injury has been resolved, leading you to continue moving in an improper and limited fashion. To appropriately heal an injured area, you must fully restore mobility to that region and re-train yourself to move the injured area through its full range of motion, both consciously and unconsciously. If you do not take the time to retrain yourself to utilize appropriate movement patterns, improper movement patterns will encourage the tissues to become re-aggravated and re-injured.

CHIROPRACTIC | NMR | EXERCISE THERAPY | DECOMPRESSION THERAPY
NUTRITION SERVICES | MASSAGE THERAPY | TRIGGER POINT THERAPY

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