Pain Fog: Living in spite of Chronic Pain
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Body Scan
    • Trial and Error
    • Relationships
    • Parenting in Pain
    • Mental Health
    • What the Doctors Don't Tell You
    • Travel
  • Contact

Day 46. Athletic Therapy for Non-athletes.

4/9/2015

0 Comments

 
Today I am going for one of my newest and most successful forms of treatment. It is called Athletic Therapy. I started this about two years ago, quite by accident. Our local yoga studio offers many forms of care and several professionals have their practice there. I had been seeing a massage therapist there for some time. She recently moved her practice and I saw someone else had taken her place at the studio. I made an appointment and off I went for an assessment and "massage."

I was surprised to find a very new practice to me. James, is in fact a massage therapist, but he is also an Athletic Therapist who is also currently learning Osteopathy as well. After our assessment he felt I could most benefit from Athletic Therapy at that time. I must admit, at first I was a little disappointed. I was expecting soft music aroma therapy and a relaxing massage.....now I was having a treatment!

I need not have been disappointed. The therapy I experienced, having spent years in physio, was nothing like I expected. It is a gentle treatment done while you are fully clothed and it is very effective.

The reason I was seeing him that day was nerve pain down my arm with pins and needles into my hand. I had awoken two days in a row with no feeling in my right hand. I couldn't raise my arm over my head and my shoulder and neck were hurting nonstop. When I left that day, I wasn't pain free but the nerve pain and numbness were completely gone. It took about four treatments and the issue had settled once again. James uses ultrasound and EMS machine as well.

If you are interested in knowing more about EMS(electric muscle stimulation) and TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) this is an excellent site to explain the differences and what they are used for.

Generally TENS is to relieve pain and a TENS machine can be purchased easily now, as it has become more mainstream and therefore can be used at home. EMS is more of a rehabilitation tool and mostly used by professionals, but with instruction, can also be used at home. I have both and have been taught to use them at home.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to generate heat in the area being treated. That heat then loosens the muscle tissue making it more pliable for stretching and treatment. It also helps create blood flow and lesson swelling and inflammation. I have found it to be helpful in many cases, including foot, shoulder and knees.

I have since seen him for my arthritic foot and knee. James knows my overall condition and we have dabbled in pain management for my back as well.

The Canadian Athlete Association describes the therapy like this: "Certified Athletic Therapists specialize in treating acute and chronic injuries to muscles, bones, and joints.

Best known for providing immediate on-field emergency care of professional and elite athletes, Athletic Therapists are skilled in returning athletes to competition and maximizing their performance potential as fast as possible after an injury. Those same skills and techniques also make them very effective in treating the injuries sustained by everyday active Canadians, including:
  • Common injuries from falls, daily activities and sports
  • Chronic and recurring conditions, pre-surgery and post-surgery
  • Emergencies at sporting events such as concussion, fractures, and spinal injuries
  • Workplace and motor vehicle accidents
Athletic Therapists rehabilitate injuries using the Sports Medicine Model, resulting in a faster recovery, a decreased chance of further injury, and fewer visits to a healthcare professional.
Certified Athletic Therapists are recognized by the credential CAT(C)."

In a word I describe it as relief, and relief without the usual pain. James has never hurt me during a treatment. When I can, I generally come home, have an epson salts bath and lie down for a short time afterward. I try to incorporate this aftercare into any treatment I have whether it is physio, acupuncture or massage. It seems to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. That is what I find most effective but it is possible to go about your day or even back to work if needed.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Maureen Clout

    I'm going in for a 4th neurosurgery; this time it's a repair to my lumbar fusion. Here, I will post my daily updates on dealing with diagnosis, surgery and recovery. Join me on my journey.

    About

    Archives

    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All
    Bad News
    Chronic Pain
    Crisis
    Daily Life
    Depression
    Doctors Appointments
    Family
    Fear
    Focus
    Friends
    Frustration
    Goals
    Help
    Insomnia
    Laugh
    Learning
    Leg Pain
    Meditation
    Memory
    Mindfulness
    Nap
    Neurosurgery
    Pain
    Pain Management
    Planning
    Preparing For Surgery
    Rehabilitation
    Risk
    Serenity
    Service
    Sleep
    Stress
    Strong
    Support
    Surgeon Appointments
    Surgery
    Toronto Western Hospital
    Travel
    Waiting

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.