Treating soft tissue for injury and pain is nothing new. At Performance Plus Rehabiltation Center in St. Joseph, MO spinal manipulations have always been used as an effective way to treat soft tissue pain, but now we are enhancing our treatment with the use of the Graston Technique. Dr. Becky Wells, a Doctor of Chiropractic with Performance Plus is certified in the Graston Technique.
The Graston Technique is successful in effectively treating all soft tissue conditions, whether they are chronic or acute and post surgical. The Graston Technique offers many advantages to the patient such as: decreases overall time of treatment, fosters faster rehabilitation/recovery, reduces need for anti-inflammatory medications, and resolves chronic conditions thought to be permanent.
The Graston Technique is an innovative, patented form of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.
The St. Joseph Newspress recently printed a story on Dr. Wells which showed her administering the technique on a patient. The article was printed Tuesday, November 29th 2012 in the Life Section. To the patient, this non-invasive technique will feel like a deep tissue massage, but done in about 5 minutes. According to Dr. Wells the number of treatments needed will depend on the patient and type of injury. The overall results to the patient will be less pain and inflammation.
Strength training is wise for any athlete to perform during his or her off season. Performance Plus Rehabilitation Center Director Dr. Allyn Smith says when done correctly, strength training provides significant functional benefits and improvement to overall health. For both the athlete and non-athlete strength training increases bone density, strengthens muscles, tendons and ligaments, improves joint function, and reduces potential for injury. Dr. Smith says it also helps with weight loss by increasing metabolism and improving cardiac function.
What is strength training? Strength training as defined by Wikipedia says that it "commonly uses the technique of progressively increasing the force output of the muscle through incremental increases in weight, elastic tension or resistance, and uses a variety of exercises and types of equipment to target specific muscle groups."
Dr. Smith says strength training helps the athlete and non-athlete become stronger, fitter and leaner. In addition, it improves balance, coordination, and posture, elevates your mood, burns more calories, and helps prevent and control certain diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. A strength training workout should be performed at least two or three times a week to be the most effective. If injury is preventing you from strength training Performance Plus can help you.
Performance Plus Rehabilitation Center believes you can control your diabetes by exercising and eating healthy. PPRC Clinic Director, Allyn Smith DC, says exercise has the ability to control diabetes by reducing the severity of the disease and the risk of long term complications.
Diabetes is a condition where the body has trouble taking glucose from the blood and delivering it to the rest of the body so it can be used as energy. This is due to a lack of, or inability to use insulin, the hormone required to escort glucose from the your blood to the rest of the body. Dr. Smith says excercise improves glucose uptake by increasing insulin sensitivity. Excercise also helps control your weight and lower your blood sugar level. In other words, it makes cells insulin responsive, stabilizes blood sugar levels and escorts glucose from your blood cells to the rest of your body.
Poor lifestyle choices such as sedentary living, poor eating habits and weight gain will move you in the direction of medical management. Take control of your diabetes by managing your lifestyle.
If you are experiencing complications of diabetes such as neuropathy (burning, numbing or tingling) in your hands and feet we have a program to improve your condition. Contact Performance Plus today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
They both reduce inflammation. Here at Performance Plus Rehabilitation Center, Clinic Director, Allyn Smith, DC says many patients feel pain due to inflammation. There are natural ways to reduce inflammation such as receiving chiropractic treatment for your aches and pains as well as eating healthy food. Pumpkins are considered a superfood and are rich in beta-carotene, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. They are also rich in carotenoids, which keep the immune system strong and healthy. Pumpkins are also high in fiber and zinc and contain other nutrients and Vitamins A and C.
Studies have shown that chiropractic manipulation helps reduce inflammation. Also, exercising and eating healthy on a regular basis will help improve your overall health. However, many people cannot excercise due to inflammation and pain. If you are experiencing swelling, aches and back pain call your local chiropractor or visit our website at Performance Plus to make an appointment.
In addition to the traditional pumpkin pie, pumpkin can be added to other foods such as oatmeal. To find out more information on the health benefits of pumpkin or pumpkin recipes go to St. Joe Newspress in the October 12th 2011 Life section.
National Chiropractic Health Month is sponsored by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). This year the focus is on Health and Weight Management. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) more than 60 percent of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese. Chiropractors play an important role in preventing and treating obesity. Performance Plus Clinic Director Dr. Allyn Smith says meeting with a Doctor of Chiropractic is especially important for overweight individuals because of the effects of obesity on the muskoskeletal system. Often times these types of patients have all kinds of health issues as a result like osteoarthritis, back pain, neck pain and joint pain. These patients usually avoid exercise and physical activity when they need it the most. Doctors of Chiropractic also counsel their patients on good nutrition and offer dieatary and lifestyle advice in addition to expert structural care.
BREAKING NEWS
The winner of our 11th weekly drawing is Candis Edmonds. You won a $25.00 Performance Plus gift card to be used toward any of our retail produts or Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Services. You may pick up gift card anytime during our office hours or next Open Gym Night. The winner of our Grand Prize Drawing is Mary L. Owen. You won a free pair of Asic's shoes with a professional shoe fitting plus a free Chiropractic Consultation with X-rays (if needed). Performance Plus Rehabilitation Center does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admission; in treatment or participation in its programs, services and activities or in employment.