Sorry for the big break between posts. I've had a lot going on, which I'll update you about in future postings.For this entry, I'd like to continue the discussion on treating low back pain. As I've mentioned before, PT's that simply focus on treating pain with modalities like ice, heat, e-stim, ultrasound are kind of archaic. That is a wonderful adjunct to a physical therapist's toolbox, but a good PT never focuses on a painful area and treats that area solely. The goal of treatments should be helping patients gain sustained functional improvements. And I've seen that most with helping patients improve flexibility/mobility and increase core strength/stability when treating low back pain.
At ESPT, we are now excited to offer to the Fremont/Newark/Union City community: The ATM2 by Back Project.
The ATM2 is a cutting edge rehabilitation tool used currently by top teaching hospitals, athletic rehabilitation facilities, and professional sports teams. It's rapid growth in popularity is the result of its unparalleled ability to provide immediate and sustained results for decreasing pain and increasing motion in suitable users.
The ATM concept focuses on eliminating a patient's symptoms/complaints by normalizing impaired movements. By effectively positioning a patient on the ATM2 device, the clinician is able to find a pain-free position for a patient that may have not been possible previously. When this position is found and stabilized, a series of gentle re-training movement exercises are performed to bring about immediate pain reduction, increased range of motion, and improvement in quality of motion.
In recent studies, it's been shown that muscular activation strategies are altered when there is pain. This altered activation strategy is a protective mechanism in acute injuries, but it can also become a problem for chronic injuries. When normal muscle activation strategies are restored is usually when individuals are successful at relieving pain and restoring normal motion.
ATM studies have enabled clinicians to help patients achieve an immediate, average of 60% reduction in pain and decrease the number of treatments needed to resolution by over 50%!! There are only a few select clinics in the area with this equipment.
To find out more details about us or the ATM2, feel free to call Elite Sports Physical Therapy at 510-656-3777 or check out our website at www.espt-ca.com.
