SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

Most people associate chiropractic with "adjusting" joints that are not functioning properly. However a large part of Dr. Starr\'s practice deals with the associated soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves) surrounding the joints being treated.

Quite often due to repetitive stress and microtrauma in an unbalanced area, soft tissue injuries coincide with restricted joints. Therefore, not only must the restrictions within the joints be released, but also the soft tissue adhesions must be released as well. To treat the soft tissue components. a soft tissue release technique is utilized.

This therapy is a non invasive, state-of-the-art soft tissue system that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with this technique. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they often result from injury to over used muscles.

What is Causing the Pain?

Most people think of scar tissue as something that develops only after a cut, strain, tear, or a crushing injury and occurs only at the site of injury. Actually, there are many more ways that scar tissues can develop. Stress, poor posture, and repetitive motions like typing or driving, are all examples of things that can cause muscles to tighten up, leading to adhesions.

When muscles tighten up for an extended time, this causes increased friction, pressure & tension to build between the muscle layers. As a result the oxygen supply to the muscle is significantly decreased. When the muscle tissue does not get enough oxygen, the resulting condition is called hypoxia. Hypoxia leads to scar tissue development because some of our muscle cells and connective tissue cells die and stimulate fibrosis; the process that creates scar tissue and adhesions.

This cycle repeats itself and escalates in PAIN, INFLAMMATION, & new INURIES caused by the restrictive scar tissue.

 Active Release Techniques (ART) are an effective, non invasive soft tissue treatment process that both locates and breaks down the scar tissue and adhesions which cause pain, stiffness, weakness, numbness and physical dysfunctions associated with Repetitive Strain Injuries.