Conservative Care Model
Phase I: (Uncovering Causes)
This phase is often ignored during the treatment process because of the time and effort it takes to uncover hidden causative factors.
Many chronic issues, such as Low Back dysfunction, became chronic because the daily barrage of micro-trauma were never identified and corrected for.
This phase needs to uncover the movements/activities that may be hidden in your activities of daily living that create the continued breakdown of anatomical structures that lead to chronic pain and dysfunction. These destructive movements could be found in work, hobbies, fitness, or simple everyday tasks.
Once these destructive forces have been identified then we need to formulate strategies to modify or eliminate them, or else the continued breakdown that led to dysfunction and pain will continue.
Phase II: (Correcting/Removing Limitations)
A lifetime of micro/macro traumas and the adaptations to life's stressors have led to anatomical and neuro-physiological changes which impact ones ability to move without creating further dysfunction. Imbalances in Range of motion, strength, stability, muscle tone, and co-ordination can all be impacted.
Employing Manual Medicine Techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART), Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), Targeted Joint Manipulation, Neuro-Muscular Re-education (NMR), we can effect physical and neuro-physiological changes that can lead to improved body awareness and better coordinated movement. Chronic pain often leads to dysfunctional movement patterns which leads to further breakdown and pain. Restoring ones ability to move without dysfunction is needed to allow for pain-free movement.
Phase III: (Restoring Functional abilities)
By acknowledging destructive movements, and then removing the barriers for proper movement to occur, a person can then be taught how to move functionally. Functional movement is movement that is useful but also provides a means to an end. It is imperative to teach a person how to move in ways that are not destructive, useful to them, and also can be modified to be used in fitness, as well as other activities in their lives. Ultimately, functional movement ties together the first 2 phases so that each person can move and live and not be fearful of re-injury.