In Motion Rehabilitation provides an extensive list of services to ensure success with your treatment.
Initial Evaluation
Mark and Heather provide full comprehensive evaluations no matter what the injury or issue. The initial evaluation gives the patient the opportunity to receive professional information, diagnostics, treatment plan options, extensive manual therapy, and education about preventive measures. At In Motion Rehabilitation we try to keep the number of treatment sessions to a minimum so that you can get back to activity as quickly as possible with the least amount of expense. On average patients will see a physical therapist for one initial evaluation for a new injury and one or two follow-up visits.
Manual Therapy
The most up to date research-based treatment is used at In Motion Rehabilitation. This includes using extensive manual therapy techniques including manipulations for the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint, talus, and cuboid bone to name a few. Mobilization techniques; a less aggressive form of moving the joints; is used on a regular basis to gain range or motion or to decrease irritation. Other forms of manual therapy such as cross friction massage (scar tissue breakup), deep tissue work, trigger point release, counterstrain, mucle energy techniques, and more are used to give us multiple options to help your body.
Aligment Adjustment
Alignment issues can manifest as back pain, knee issues, or neck and thoracic discomfort. Malalignment can come from multiple avenues such as poor sleeping or sitting positions, falls, or functional/anatomic leg length differentials. We use several different techniques to readjust the body such as manipulation, mobilizations, muscle energy techniques, and corrective exercises. We also give you tools to stay aligned and to increase strength to prevent issues in the future. Leg discrepancy either in the form of functional or anatomic differences is a common issue and may be determined during one of these appointments.
Dry Needling
Dry needing is not traditional acupuncture, but rather biomedical acupuncture. It is based on a modern understanding of human anatomy and patho-physiology, and on modern scientific research, drawing heavily on leading-edge neurological research using modern imaging techniques such as Functional MRIs of the brain. Dry Needling is used for the treatment of trigger points for patients with myofascial pain syndrome. During treatment, acupuncture needles are inserted into the skin and muscle directly at myofascial trigger points. A myofascial trigger point consists of multiple contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle. Dry needling of a myofascial trigger point will elicit a local twitch response (LTR), which is an involuntary spinal cord reflex in which the muscle fibers in the taut band of muscle contract. The LTR indicates the proper placement of the needle in a trigger point.Currently Mark Plaatjes is trained in dry needling my Dr. Yin-tao Ma PhD, Lic. Ac who is an Internationally recognized authority in the field of pain management, sports medicine and trauma rehabilitation. Heather North will be incorporating dry needling into her treatment sessions beginning August of 2010.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are done at In Motion with you in mind. Our diverse methods in partnership with Aaron Anderson at PTI Orthotic Labs work to create an accomodative orthotic for almost any activity or sport. With a multitude of options for types of orthotics, we strive to make your experience one of affordability and satisfaction. An orthotic appointment with Mark or Heather includes an hour of detailed measurements taken of your foot’s mobility, alignment, flexibility, and relationships between the lower leg, forefoot, midfoot, and forefoot. The orthotic charge includes this hour session, your casts, as well as your first pair of orthotics. In the future you can bring your casts in for additional pairs at a substantially discounted rate. We also offer refurbishment and replacement of top cover services to improve the longevity of your orthotics.
Massage Therapy
The massage therapy at In Motion is designed to maintain and/or increase your activity level. Shirley’s extensive knowledge of athletes, active people, advanced neuromuscular techniques, and those with chronic diagnosis gives her the upper hand in making your massage both effective and long lasting. Shirley is known for living up to her reputation of being a tremendously strong therapist who specializes in deep sports massages. However, if you wish to have something more relaxing or less deep she is amazingly intuitive and capable of personalizing each therapy session.
Inteferential, Ultrasound, Light Therapy, Iontophoresis
Modalities are used at the end of each session so as not to decrease the amount of time that the patient gets to spend with the therapist. They are used to decrease inflammation and edema, increase bloodflow, and improve recovery time. It is important to understand that modalities are not meant by themselves to resolve issues, but go hand in hand with hands-on care. To really promote recovery, patients have the opportunity to come in without an appointment for modality therapy through the physical therapist for a minimal charge.