Active Release Technique
Active Release Technique (ART) is a patented, state of the art soft tissue movement based on massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciatis, knee problems and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in commom. They are often a result of overused muscles. Overused muscles change in three ways:
- Acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc)
- Accumulation of small tears
- Not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia)
These factors cause the body to produce tough, dense scar tissue. Scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues, therefore preventing their movement. Muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis and nerves can become trapped.
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Aquatic Therapy
The benefits of an aquatic therapy program include pain reduction, increased flexibility and range of motion, improved strength, increased endurance and energy as well as improved balance. Patients who could benefit from this therapy include those suffering from back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, orthopedic conditions/surgeries, pain or other disabilities which limit the ability to exercise on land. Aquatic Therapy differs from exercise on land in several ways. Water has buoyancy, which is the force acting in the opposite direction of gravity. Gravity makes you feel heavy, were as, buoyancy makes you feel light. The more immersed you are in the water, the lighter you will feel. The compressive forces placed on your joints will also be decreased, up to 50% for waist deep water, 70% for chest deep water and 90% for neck deep water. This property is why people with arthritis, back pain or any other joint pain will experience immediate pain reduction once in water.
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Low Level Laser
Low Level Laser or Cold Laser is a new modality in the United States. Approved by the FDA in 2002, it has been in use in Europe and Canada since the 1960's. Lasers are used for pain management, edema and wound healing. Lasers cause no pain or muscle contraction to the patient. THere is no heating effect due to the introduction of light. It does no damage to tissue and is safe in most applications, therefore ensuring good patient compliance.
Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The Laser instrument produces a very thin beam of light in which energy is concentrated. Therapeutic lasers include both visible and invisible light. The radiant power output can extend from 1 mWatt to 500 mWatts. This is quite low compared to surgical lasers, which range between 3,000 and 10,000 mWatts.
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Athletic Training
Mark Eberle PT, A.T.C., co-owner of Eberle's Physical Therapy, Inc., is not only a physical therapist but is also a Certified Athletic Trainer. He has over twenty years of experience working with Erie Area High School, college, amateur and professional athletes. Any patient with an athletic injury should feel confident that they are being treated for their injury by not only an excellent P.T. but a highly experienced Certified Athletic Trainer, as well.
The professional trainer is a well qualified individual who is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association, has an advanced academic degree, and has a thorough understanding of and special skills in many facets of prevention and care of athletic injuries. The Athletic Trainer works in all phases of the athletic training program in a team approach with the physician and the coach.
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Total Joint Program
Total Joint Replacement or arthroplasty is a surgical option for the treatment of many painful and disabling joint conditions when more conservative management has failed. A joint replacement may be indicated for severe inflammatory osteoarthritis, fracture of the proximal femur, osteoporosis, pathological fractures, rheumatoid arthritis or avascular necrosis (Loss of blood supply to the hip). Hip and knee replacements are the most common but shoulder replacements are also increasing in numbers.
There are numerous types of joint replacements which can be performed depending on each individual circumstance.
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Decompression Therapy
Decompression Therapy is a non-invasive, well researched, effective treatment for back and neck pain. One clinical study done by Thomas A. Gionis, MD and Erie Groteke, DC analyzed the effect of decompressive therapy on 219 people who had herniated discs and degenerative disc disease. This was published in Orthopedic Technology Review; Vol. 5-6, Nov-Dec 2003. They found that 86% of the patients reported immediate resolution of symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment while 84% remained pain-free 90 days post treatment.
The discs can simply be thought of as shock absorbers which are present in between each vertebrae of the neck and back. It is composed of an outer semi-rigid structure which is made up of layers of a cartilage-like substance. This outer ring contains a jelly-like center. Poor posture and poor body mechanics during everyday lifting, as well as trauma, causes an abnormal amount of pressure inside the disc which subsequently causes small tears in the outer rings of the disc. This allows the inside jelly material of the disc to leak out into the outside layers creating a bulge which can press on spinal nerves. At times, this jelly completely escapes requiring surgery to remove the substance. Decompression therapy significantly reduces this intradiscal pressure and influences the jelly to return to its central location. Some theorize that this negative pressure creates an osmotic gradient for nutrients, water and blood to flow into the disc, thereby allowing the phases of healing to take place.
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