Craniosacral Therapy / Craniocervical Mobilization

Craniosacral therapy is a technique that is a descendent of Dr.  William Sutherland’s work in cranial osteopathy.  Similar techniques include Sacro-Occipital technique and Craniopathy.  Pioneered and developed by osteopaths, these techniques have more recently been embraced by the wider medical community.

Cranial work is not aggressive.  Eight cranial bones and 14 facial bones articulate together in harmony.  Sutures tie the cranial vault together and have specific movement patterns.  These movement patterns are evaluated by the clinician who, as Sutherland stated best, “listens” with their hands.  The treatment is then focused on relieving the restriction in movement of the sutures and increasing cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and lymphatic flow.

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Muscle Energy

Muscle Energy is a technique that was developed by Fred Mitchell, Sr., D.O.  and first described in the book An Evaluation and Treatment Manual of Osteopathic Muscle  Energy Procedures, published in 1979.   

The therapist performing muscle energy determines where there are areas of muscular dysfunction and then passively positions the patient at the restricted motion barrier.  While the therapist holds the patient in this position, the patient exerts gentle force away from the restricted barrier, which the therapist then resists.    The patient is then told to relax and the therapist gently moves the patient through the restricted barrier.  This procedure is repeated several times.  This process resets the resting length of shortened muscle, thus improving range of motion.

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Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is a passive stretching technique that uses feedback from the patient's tissues to determine the direction, amplitude and length of the stretch.  The therapist relies on this feedback to achieve maximum relaxation of the tight or restricted tissues without the discomfort often associated with intense stretching.  The purpose is to “un-stick” the fibers of the muscles and fascia, releasing deeply held patterns of tension.  This relaxes and re-educates the muscle, freeing it to operate within its full capacity.

Myofascial models were described in the Osteopathic literature of the 1950s, and our understanding of the fascial system has grown considerably since then.  Many contemporary treatment approaches focus on the fascia, including connective tissue massage, Rolfing, strain counterstrain, and soft tissue mobilization.

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Core Stabilization

Core stabilization dates back 50 years and was introduced in the U.S.  during the 1960s to treat neurological disorders and spinal injuries.  It focuses on using the deep muscles of the entire torso in a coordinated movement.  The strengthening of these core muscles stabilizes the spine, pelvis, and shoulders forms a solid base for movements of the arms and legs.  The primary areas of focus of this training are rectus abdominus, internal and external obliques, transversus abdominus, and multifidus.

 It has been suggested that in almost 90% of all body movements, core muscles are active supporting the entire trunk region.  It is effective as a long-term solution to recurring back and neck pain. 

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Visceral Manipulation

Physicians and folk healers have manipulated organs since antiquity, but it was not until the last quarter of the 20^th century that this art evolved into a science.  French Osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral studied the rather rough manipulations of French folk healers, applied his Osteopathic knowledge to the organ support system, and over the years made large developments in the art and science of Visceral Manipulation. 

Visceral Manipulation is a gentle technique that frees up the fascia and allows the organs to glide against each other more easily.  As a result of injury, repetitive stress, surgery, or postural compensations, the fascia around the organs can become restricted and contribute to overall fascial tension and pain patterns.  The therapist feels for any patterns of tension.  Using a gentle technique with the hands, the therapist is able to release this tension, often at a very deep level.  This can have a profound effect on how easily the body moves, decreasing muscle tension and pain and improving alignment throughout the body.

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Acupressure

Acupressure is an ancient healing technique that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force (sometimes known as qi or chi) to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses the gentle, but firm pressure of hands. There is a large amount of scientific data demonstrating why and how acupuncture is effective. But acupressure, the older of the two traditions, was neglected after the Chinese developed more technical methods for stimulating points with needles and electricity. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. In acupressure, local symptoms are considered an expression of the condition of the body as a whole.

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Trigger Point Therapy

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, developed by Dr. Janet G.  Travell, M.D., is a form of neuromuscular therapy that examines and treats muscles, muscle attachments, ligaments, and connective tissues.

Trigger points are small areas of tightness within muscles that form tight bands and knots from the contracted muscle fibers.  These can develop in a muscle when it is injured or overworked.  Current studies indicate that nerve impulses to these muscle fibers will not "shut off" and that trigger points require manual intervention to help them release.  Because the pain that trigger points cause is generally referred to another part of the body, treating that pain directly is often ineffective or temporary. 

Trigger point therapy requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort.  There are also simple massage techniques and stretches that patients can be taught to use on themselves, preventing chronic patterns of tension in their body from becoming acute and reducing their need for therapy.

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Electrical Stimulation

Electrical Stimulation, or E-Stim, is used either for relieving muscle tension and pain or to help strengthen a muscle, depending on the current used. 

Some of the basic currents are:

Micro current: a low level current that reduces muscle tension, increases circulation, and reduces inflammation by normalizing cell metabolism.

Interferential or pre-modulated current: a medium-low level current to stimulate sensory nerves.  It is often effective in reducing pain sensation. 

Hi-volt stimulation: this stimulates the sensory and motor nerves.  It can create a tingling feeling, decreased pain and/or muscle contraction.  It is used to decrease pain and to strengthen the muscle. 

Russian and Biphasic stimulation: this is used to strengthen a muscle, increase movement at the joint by working muscle groups surrounding the joint, and to reduce swelling by creating a pumping action which helps push excess fluid out of the effected area.

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Gentle Spinal Mobilization 

Gentle Spinal Mobilization is used to restore normal spinal motion at the facet joints of the spine.  This is done by gently rocking gliding or rotating spinal segments to produce normal movement in segments that are stiff.  The movement is done with rhythmic oscillations in a pain free manner and never involves sharp, fast or forceful movements.

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Strain Counterstrain or Positional Release

Strain Counterstrain is an Osteopathic manual medicine technique created in the 1950s by Dr. Lawrence Jones, D.O.  The therapists at Synergy have received their training directly from various instructors from the Jones Institute.

It emphasizes correction of abnormal neuromuscular reflexes through the treatment of tenderpoints.  Tenderpoints are discreet, pea-sized areas of tenderness that are manifestations of specific neuromuscular dysfunctions.  The tenderpoint is found in the shortened muscle group, which is not necessarily in the muscle groups that have pain. The treatment is achieved by shortening the dysfunctional muscle group.  This in turn reduces or eliminates the tenderpoint, thereby resetting the abnormal reflex to a normal level and relieving the pain for which the patient sought treatment.

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Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) was developed by the Danish physiotherapist Dr.  Emil Vodder in the 1930s. The therapists at Synergy have been trained in Lymphatic Drainage Therapy developed by French physician Bruno Chikly, M.D.,D.O.  (hon.). 

Using light, rhythmic strokes, the therapist facilitates improved and increased lymph circulation that in turn can have a myriad of beneficial effects.  These include: increased range of motion, decreased fibrosity of scar tissue, decreased localized pain, and improved healing.  It has also been shown to increase speed and quality of healing post minor surgery and/or injury. 

Note: At this time, no clinicians at Synergy are qualified to treat patients with severe lymphedema.

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McConnell taping

McConnell Taping is a bracing or strapping technique using a super-rigid, cotton mesh, highly adhesive tape. Most commonly, it is used for pattelafemoral syndrome, shoulder subluxation, lumbar, foot, and hip impingement. The tape is left on for no more than 18 hours due to adverse skin reaction. It affects the biomechanics of the patient's dysfunctional movement patterns. Taping is primarily used for neuromuscular re-education of the affected condition.

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Patient Education

Education of patients is standard practice at Synergy.  Because we have the time to listen, we are often able to learn quite a lot about their lives: their daily activities, exercise habits, and the level to which they understand and take care of their bodies.  This in-depth knowledge allows us to provide exercise and stretching regimes that are customized to each patient’s abilities, and to educate them effectively about the nature of their injury or illness and how it impacts their lives.  Our goal is not only to relieve their current complaint, but also to give them the knowledge and the physical awareness to prevent future injuries.

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