June 26, 2014

Achilles Tendon Pain and Active Release Technique

Joint Pain Post a Comment

Solution To Your Achilles Tendon Pain

Achilles tendon injuries are common among the active population, especially runners and cross fitters. The pain is typically localized at the far end of the calf, just above the heel where the Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone.

There are a variety of factors that may contribute to the pain, such as increased activity, improper footwear, increased tension in the calf muscles, as well as poor activation of the hamstrings and glutes. All of these contributing factors lead to inflammation of the tendon, and potentially degeneration, known as tendonitis or tendinosis, or in worse case scenarios, the tendon can rupture.

In most instances, repetitive stress is the biggest contributor to Achilles pain. The repetitive stress caused by, for example, excessive running or cycling, will create increased tension and a lack of flexibility in the musculature, which in turn creates a tug and pull on the tendon, causing it to become inflamed and irritated.

These issues can easily be overcome by adhering to proper flexibility and mobility regiments. We recommend, for example, utilizing a lacrosse ball and a foam roller, as shown by Dr. Charbel in these videos, in order to maintain proper tissue mobility and elasticity; in addition to maintaining a regular routine of stretching and proper strengthening.

At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we evaluate our patients by analyzing the entire kinetic chain of the patient. We do not focus only on the Achilles tendon; we also examine other factors, which may be contributing to the patient’s current symptoms . We begin by analyzing the anatomy of the foot to ensure the patient is wearing the appropriate footwear. We analyze the range of motion at the ankle, knee and hip in a functional manner. We also look at the functionality of the hamstring muscles, the plantar of the foot, the patient’s core, and the activation of the gluteus muscle, just to name a few.

By using the active release technique, along with acupuncture and dry needling, we are able to assist patients in eliminating adhesion, tension and tightness in the muscle. The active release technique, or ART, is a soft tissue treatment that focuses on eliminating the cause of the pain, rather than covering up the symptoms.

At our active release technique chiropractic clinic, our focus is not only to treat the condition, but also to educate our patients on the proper program that will help them with the continuation of their care independently of us once they have reached a balanced state. We encourage our patients to be an active participant in their treatment plan; by positively impacting their prognosis and expediting their healing.

If you suffer from sports injuries, such as, Achilles tendon pain, contact our active release technique chiropractic clinic today at 317.449.2020, to see how the active release technique can benefit you!

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.
June 19, 2014

How Does Dry Needling Work?

Dry Needling Post a Comment

Reset Your Muscles and Tissues with Dry Needling

I am often asked what dry needling is, and how it works. Dry needling, in a sense, is very similar to acupuncture, when it comes down to the tools that we use. We use very thin filaments, which are inserted into the tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are dysfunctional and deranged. However, with dry needling, our main focus is on musculoskeletal pain, reduction of pain, and enhancement of soft tissue function.

In a simple form, dry needling normalizes and resets the muscles and tissue to its original homeostatic function. For instance, if a muscle is too tight, tense, and has trigger points and adhesion, dry needling resets it back to a normal density with no spasms or tension. On the other hand, if the muscle is inhibited and is not functioning, as it should, dry needling will reset the mechanism in that muscle, helping to reawaken it.

There are several theories about how dry needling works. One of the predominate theories was proven by observing the brain in a functional MRI, while a patient was treated with metal needles that were not conductive to magnetic fields. This study showed, that the brain sensors responsible for pain reduction became more active, and in turn secreted pain reduction chemicals, such as endorphins.

Another theory suggests that the very thin filaments that are inserted into the tissue, even though they are quite thin and unnoticeable in almost all instances, create damage to thousands of cells. The brain perceives this damage, and initiates a healing effect and rejuvenation of the tissue.

In another study, it was shown that the biochemical changes that occur around the needle are favorable in reducing inflammation and pain.  A final theory of how dry needling works is a study that suggests that a properly placed needle in a triggered point of a muscle or tendon, will send a signal to the nervous system in a reflex form, which will reset the muscle and tissue fibers.

Dry needling differs from acupuncture, in a sense that it does not follow the meridian channels, and focuses primarily on musculoskeletal pain. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we utilize dry needling for a variety of symptoms, such as runner knee pain, TMJ, and headaches.

If you have been suffering with pain and are looking for an alternative treatment, contact Integrated Health Solutions, an affordable Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, today at 317.449.2020.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.
June 6, 2014

What You Should Know About Pain

Relieve Pain 2 comments

Understanding The Three Factors of Pain

Over the past few centuries, our understanding of pain has evolved to include new contributing factors. Pain is an individualistic experience, however it is also considered a biopsychosocial experience.

Biological Factors

The biological component is simply your body. The organs or tissues, such as ligaments, muscles and/or nerves could be deranged and damaged, thus sending signals to the brain which in turn interprets those signal and decides whether to signal pain or not. We should not ignore the fact that the psychological factor can also affect the biological component of the pain model. States of depression and anxiety can manifest itself in the body, causing tension, spasm and tightness in areas such as the traps, the neck and the jaw.

Psychological Factors

Psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety and depression, can actually worsen the experience you have with pain. Recent studies show that patients who have a negative psychological condition prior to surgery, such as hip replacement, were prone to a longer period of pain during recovery.

Social Factors

Social factors, such as our work environment, family, or lifestyle, can also influence our perception of pain. Many of our patients report that their pain intensifies when they are at work, or when they are involved in an argument with a significant other. When exposed to a negative social environment, pain intensifies; science contributes this to the brain perceiving the environment as hostile and resorting to a flight and fight mechanism acting as a sense of protection.

Mind Over Matter

These factors contribute to our pain, because pain is perceived at the brain level. One of the most interesting phenomenon of pain is that it is not necessarily an experience at the site of the pain. For example, you might have a herniated disc, but you will not be aware of it until your brain decides to signal that the tissue is harmful, at which point you will feel the pain in your back.

Scientific findings have proven that there are individuals with disc degeneration, herniated discs, rotator cuff tears, bulging discs, etc.  who are completely asymptomatic. This reinforces my previous statement, that the pain is an experience at the brain level affected not only by the tissue but also by your mood and your perception of your environment. If the brain decides to signal that, for example, the disc bulge is harmful, then it is at that point that you will feel the pain which is a form of protection to alert us that there is a need for modification.

At Integrated Health Solutions, an affordable chiropractic clinic, we educate our patients on the cause of their pain. We explain to them that pain is not necessarily a direct correlation in the harm of the tissue, but instead the pain is simply a signal for the need of modification. When patients understand that the pain is not creating more damage to the injury, we actually find they experience a reduction in pain.

At our Indianapolis Chiropractic clinic, we strive to educate our patients on the different factors that affect pain, in hopes of expediting their healing. Through this education, in most cases, the patients are able to reduce the external factors that negatively affect their pain experience, whether it is psychological or environmental, by doing so, it helps us obtain our goals in fewer visits.

If you’ve been dealing with pain, and would like to learn more about the factors that may be contributing to it, contact our office today at 317.449.2020.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.