Seeing With Our Hands, Not Just Our Eyes

When I was in physical therapy school, a lot of my professors would tell us that as physical therapists we "see not only with our eyes, but also with our hands."

For a good manual therapist that is absolutely true. We use our palpation skills to look for soft-tissue tension, check for alignment issues, and assess proper motion/movement. We do more than simply ultrasound and exercise you as a patient. There are in fact a plethora of tools at our disposal. Below I'll describe a few of them for you.

Soft Tissue Mobilization
Often times muscle tension needs to be addressed or joint dysfunction may persist/return. For example, after an injury or surgery, adhesions and scar-tissue may form in the area, limiting normal range of motion (ROM). With soft-tissue mobilization, those adhesions can be broken down. In addition tissue fluids can me moved so swelling is dissipated and circulation can improve.

At ESPT, we are one of the few clinics in the area that offer Sound-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization. By using special tools to help break down the soft-tissue and fascial restrictions, we can better treat ongoing muscle and tendon issues (tendinosus) in ways our competitors can't.

Joint Mobilization
Muscle spasms can also respond to a restricted joint, so simply heating and stretching an area may not produce lasting results. By mobilizing a stiff joint, we can restore proper movement and range of motion, thus taking stress off of the surrounding muscles. These mobilizations should be painless, but on occasion can be a little painful if the joint is very stiff. In any case, there should be no lasting symptoms after the mobilizations.

At ESPT, we are the only clinic in the area with the ATM2 by Back Project. You can read more about it in our blog here. With the ATM2, we can "reset" your neurological system so that you do not perceive pain. Muscles often respond with guarding/spasm, when we are in pain. By supporting your body with the ATM2 apparatus and eliminating your pain, your muscles will have a chance to relax and return to their normal function, instead of tightening up to protect you.

Muscle Energy Techniques
This is a special technique using voluntary contractions by the patient to mobilize restricted joints and lengthen shortened muscles. This procedure is a little more active as compared to joint mobilizations, since it requires patient interaction to contract certain muscles against a counterforce provided by the therapist. These are tolerated very well and do not usually stress the joint.


High Velocity, Low Amplitude Mobilizations
This is a more aggressive technique that takes a joint to its restrictive barrier and thrusting with a low amplitude to restore proper joint motion. If it is used properly, increased motion and decreased muscle spasm should be noticed immediately. Therapists have to go through special coursework/training in order to perform these mobilizations.

At ESPT, we are fortunate to have the only Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist in the area. You can read about it in our blog here. And Joey is qualified to perform these high velocity, low amplitude mobilizations. Come see him if you have back pain/neck pain that has not improved with physical therapy elsewhere.

In today's health care environment, physical therapy clinics can no longer just be "gyms." Patients cannot come in and simply run through exercises. Therapists have to show what they are capable of and how they can provide a unique, professional service that others cannot. We need to prove our worth, so that patients know they are getting quality service and care with their insurance dollar.

If you haven't experienced any of the above techniques in your physical therapy treatment or would like to find out more about them, feel free to contact us at Elite Sports Physical Therapy @ 510.656.3777.

What Can A Manual Physical Therapist Do For Me?

10-15 minutes
Ten-fifteen minutes. That is typically the amount of time most patients spend with their physical therapist. They are usually greeted by an aide when they arrive, then given some combination of hot packs, ultrasound, or exercise to warm-up. They may start with some exercises after that, then the therapist comes for a brief period to stretch them, do a little hands on work, or instruct them in some new exercises. After that, the patient continues with more of their program with the aide, then they end their session on ice and electrical stimulation. They might be in the clinic for 60-75 minutes, but they don't spend more than a fraction of that with the PT. Sound familiar?

If that sounds like your physical therapy experience, then you need to look for a new physical therapist. You need to make sure that your insurance dollar is getting the most for you. You need to seek out a new breed of physical therapist. You need a manual physical therapist.

New Era
In this era of rising health care costs, we know people value their money and their time. We don't want them to waste an hour at our facility thinking: "I could have received that same treatment from my personal trainer" or "I could have found that out from the web and saved myself $50."

Manual physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy focused on the hands-on approaches used to treat dysfunction, rather than relying on a device or machine. In addition to be healing experience of human touch, manual PT's are able to affect muscle tissue and mobilize joints in an attempt to decrease muscle spasm/tension and improve joint motion.

Why Doesn't My PT Do It?
Manual therapy is only a small part of the education a therapist receives in school. Once in practice, many therapists may not spend the time, resources, or energy necessary to become efficient and proficient in this area of practice. And physicians may not have a thorough understanding of the benefits of manual physical therapy.

Manual therapy has been shown to provide relief for those suffering chronic neck and back pain, as well as conditions such as sacroiliac joint dysfunction and frozen shoulder. Whether relief comes once again from the touch of another human, manual technique have been shown effective in improving joint mobility, which can help decrease discomfort and alterations in motion/posture/function.
45 Minutes!!!
At ESPT, we have set ourselves apart by providing you the most 1-on-1 physical therapist time of any clinic in Fremont. By getting 45 minutes with the physical therapist, you can rest assured that we will be able to spend time working with you and assessing your treatment and progress in ways that other clinics cannot.

At ESPT, you will receive hands-on care at each and every physical therapy treatment. With manual therapy (and 3x as much PT time as some clinics are offering), you will have the experience of a licensed PT working to normalize your flexibility and mobility. Through soft-tissue work and joint mobilization, you will see firsthand why it's important to have that "hands-on" approach in rehabilitation.

At ESPT, we have the city's only Certified Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist. You can meet him here. And he will provide you with treatment that you cannot receive anywhere else.

If you want the best physical therapy care in 2010, contact us at Elite Sports Physical Therapy (510.656.3777).

Next Blog: Types of Manual Therapy

Happy New Year!!

Today is probably the day most of you are returning to work after the holidays. It's a day that's usually approached with dread or anticipation. You either want the vacation to keep going or your excited to start the year off right.

At Elite Sports Physcial Therapy (ESPT), we want to wish you a prosperous and Happy 2010!!! Whatever resolutions you make for yourself this upcoming year, aim high. If you don't every shoot for the stars, you'll never have the opportunity to reach them, right?

For 2010, we have some pretty exciting things in store for the Fremont community. Keep checking our website (www.espt-ca.com) or blog (www.espt-ca.blogspot.com) for updates.

"Do more than is required.
What is the distance between someone
who achieves their goals consistently
and those who spend their lives and careers merely following?
The extra mile."

Gary Ryan Blair

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays From ESPT!!

We all know the saying, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

Well no where does that ring true more, than at Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT). We want to make sure that it is not just our patients that are enjoying every moment of their physical therapy treatment sessions. We want to make sure our employees enjoy every moment of their time on our team!! This holiday season we had the opportunity to spend some time with each other outside of the clinic and hopefully we can do more of that in 2010.

We had the opportunity to support one of our own, Charissa Chaban, PT, ATC as she performed in Black Diamond Ballet Theatre's rendition of the Nutcracker Ballet. She was beautiful, along with the rest of the cast in their costumes, and they all performed wonderfully for the short amount of time they had to pull the production together. The only downside in my eyes is they played for just one weekend.

The next day, we had our ESPT Xmas Party at Spin-A-Yarn Restaurant in Fremont. We had a great time enjoying the tasty food and drink, but the highlight was seeing what our Secret Santa came up with for each of us. I was surprised to see how well everyone did in buying gifts for their assigned person.

As the year winds to an end, we want to thank all of our patients and referring providers for the trust they have placed in us. We will always promise you nothing short of the best in sports and orthopedic rehabilitative care.

Have a safe and happy holiday season. From our ESPT family to yours: Merry Christmas!!

ESPT Announcing Another Fremont 1st!!!

Elite Sports Physical Therapy (ESPT) is very excited to welcome to our team, Joseph M. Villena, MOT, COMT.

Joey is Fremont's 1st Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT). Physical therapists who hold this credential have to undergo an intensive yearlong course, then pass a difficult written exam. They have been trained in special manual treatment techniques that most physical therapists don't get in their respective education programs. With these added "tools" that they can incorporate into their treatment plans, manual physical therapists are growing in demand in this era of rising health care costs.

"With the economic recession, we want to make sure that patients feel their insurance money is well spent," says Jacon C. Chun, ESPT's Director of Physical Therapy. "With a manual physical therapist on board, patients will be getting something they can't get anywhere else. They won't feel like they can just read information off a website or go see a personal trainer and get the same care. For that matter, they won't be able to get the services of a manual therapist like Joey anywhere else in the area!!"

Since it's inception in 2007, Elite Sports Physical Therapy has elevated itself to the top in providing cutting edge, scientifically sound physical therapy without sacrificing top-notch customer service. With the addition of a certified orthopedic manual therapist to it's formidable team of clinicians, including the city's only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, you will not find a more experienced staff in Fremont to address your sports and orthopedic rehabilitation needs.

For more details about Joey, you can visit the team page on our website here: www.espt-ca.com.


For more details about the Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapy Certification, go here.

In our next blog: What Can A COMT Do For Me?

Shop 'Til You Drop!!

Thank You!!

Thank you Sports Basement for hosting a wonderful shopping party for our friends, family, staff, and patients. I believe we all found some good deals and had a great time browsing in your store. To top it off, your refreshements kept us energized to tackle the many aisles of wonderful sports gear and products.

Here are a few pictures from our event last week: For the complete album of pictures, check out our facebook fan page here.

Floyd VitoCruz, MPT, CSCS (now with Stanford University Sports Medicine) comes back to visit the old gang:

Sam and Jake scoping for deals at Sports Basement:

The Choates having fun:

First time meeting Allison- Thanks for coming out Chang Family!!

Thanks everyone for your support of Sports Basement and Elite Sports Physical Therapy

For more details about the premier sports and orthopedic rehabilitation facility in Fremont, check out our website at: www.espt-ca.com.

Are You Ready To Rocktape?

NOW AVAILABLE AT ESPT

What Is It?

ROCKTAPE is a performance enhancement tape and is designed for athlete that want a little edge in their game. ROCKTAPE helps athletes manage fatigue by promoting better circulation. All you have to do is put ROCKTAPE on the areas of your body that need a little help and you can go longer and harder.

What Does It Do?
ROCKTAPE helps:

• Enhance performance
• Prevent fatigue
• Promote circulation
• Remove lactic acid

How Does It Work?

Unlike traditional athletic tape which binds and doesn't stretch, ROCKTAPE is engineered to mimic the human skin. This stretchiness is the secret behind ROCKTAPE. ROCKTAPE stretches up to 190% of its original length, but has amazing "snap-back" or recovery. This is what gives ROCKTAPE its performance advantage over other tapes.

To achieve this, a special weave is introduced into the cotton when the tape is woven. This weave means the tape will only stretch in one direction. Along with it's "skin-like" nature, these properties create a Bio-Mechanical Lifting Mechanism. This allows the skin to be lifted away from the soft-tissue underneath the skin. This lift, in turn, promotes blood flow and lymph drainage. This is easy to explain, but difficult to manufacture, which is why we make our tape in a special factory in Korea.

ROCKTAPE can also be used to stabilize muscles and joints that have been sprained or hurt. Unlike braces and sleeves that constrain and reduce blood flow, ROCKTAPE can provide support and stability while increasing blood flow. Thus, the tape's capabilities make it well suited to the repair of localized muscle groups.

All of the above information and MORE can be found on ROCKTAPE's website here.


How Do I Get It?

Simply call us at 510.656.377 or email us at jchun@espt-ca.com to place your ROCKTAPE order now. To find out more information about Elite Sports Physical Therapy, check us out at www.espt-ca.com.