Therapy FAQ
Dr. Johnston’s treatment incorporates a blend of therapies and techniques to treat the various tissues involved with a patient’s problem.
Manual therapy is any of a number of techniques that treat the soft and bony tissues of the body (fascia, muscle, ligaments, tendons, viscera/organs, nerves, vasculature, lymph, joints/spine/cranium) to help the body to heal and restore and improve function.
Some of the Conditions Manual therapy can be effective for:
- Acute Injuries
- Strains and Sprains
- Whiplash
- Motor Vehicle/seatbelt injuries
- Pulled Muscles
- Back Injuries
- Athletic Injuries
- Chronic Conditions/Pain
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Post-Operative Scar tissue / Adhesions
- Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Tendonitis
- TMJ
- Hip, Knee, Ankle, Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist Injuries and Problems
- Repetitive use injuries
- Post Concussion Syndrome and Healing from Head Injuries
- Abdominal, Thoracic and Pelvic Injuries/Pain/Problems
- GERD/Gastric Reflux
- Heartburn
- Dysmenorrhea/PMS
- Bladder problems
- Prostrate problems
- Infertility
- Adhesions and Scars (post-operative or other)
- Non-surgical Abdominal discomfort/pain
Overall, Manual Therapy Can:
- Improve Balance and Function
- Accelerate recovery from injuries
- Improve Tone
- Increase Range of Motion and Flexibility
- Improve Posture
- Increase Core Strength
- Reduce the Risk of Injury/Re-injury
Visceral mobilization evaluates and restores the normal motion of organs, membranes, fascia/connective tissue and ligaments. Restoring lost motion helps improve circulation, nerve innervation, fluid dynamics and overall function in the treated area whether it’s digestive, respiratory, urogenital/pelvic or musculoskeletal tissues.
Restrictions can result from injuries, surgeries, infections, illness, faulty posture or repetitive stresses and motions. The body compensates for these restrictions and fixations creating structural and functional imbalances. Gentle mobilization and releasing of these fixations helps restore healthy function, can alleviate pain and release emotional holding patterns.
Example:
A seatbelt may cause restrictions in the abdominal region after a car accident.
These restrictions can lead to problems in digestion, gastric reflux/heartburn or even pelvic problems and hip or low back or neck pain.
A fall skiing can affect ligaments that attach to the respiratory diaphragm from the liver.
This can affect breathing and/or create shoulder pain or even hip pain.
Visceral Mobilization will help both of the above examples and is often an unknown and overlooked in many treatment approaches.
Trauma comes in many forms and can affect us physically, mentally, emotionally and some say even spiritually. In the past 20 years brain imaging, neuroscience and neurobiology have facilitated tremendous growth and understanding of the mind- body connection and how we can better heal from all types trauma including post traumatic stress disorder/PTSD. Physical trauma and chronic pain often has mental and emotional components. Dr. Johnston uses her year long trainings in Hakomi (a body centered psychotherapy), Attachment Based Yoga and Meditation for Trauma Recovery with Deirdre Fay, numerous Trauma Recovery workshops with Ruby Jo Walker, LCSW and continued studies in other trauma recovery practices, mindfulness and meditation to help patients with all aspects of trauma. Awareness of the interconnectedness of our being and offering approaches to help both body and mind, Dr. Johnston can help you find healing of pain and trauma.
Neural and vascular mobilization identifies, evaluates and then gently releases restrictions in nerve and blood vessels restoring gliding motion and function which also can alleviate pain. Nerves and blood vessels interconnect the body’s various organs and systems (muscles, endocrine/hormonal, respiratory, etc.) Unimpeded nerve and blood flow is essential for the body to function and be pain free.
Example:
Sciatica often responds well to nerve mobilization whether the pain and/or numbness is from pressure directly on the sciatic nerve or nerves closer to the spine.
Spinal disc problems (bulging or herniated discs) in the neck and low back can respond to the release of nerves and blood vessels that help decrease pain, inflammation and tissue congestion.
Pressure on several nerves at the top of the neck and near the corner of the eyes can be major culprits in headaches and migraines.
Nerve mobilization often relieves these headache patterns.
Dr. Johnston treats joint and spine problems with their connection to the rest of the body. This incorporates working with and treating not just the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bone, nerves, blood vessels of a joint but also all other joints and organs involved with the problem. This ‘kinetic chain’ approach to treatment helps restore function and bring relief from pain AND longer lasting results.
Example:
Hip pain can be caused from a variety of sources and not just problems in the joint itself. Hip pain can come from pressure on low back nerves, bladder problems and surgeries, knee issues, a kidney that has ‘dropped’, etc. The same scenario can happen with low back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain – the list goes on in that where the pain is, is not necessarily where the problem is coming from. Being able to treat all the components and various tissues of a joint AND being able to find and treat the interconnections of joint pain and problems is essential for relief of pain, healing and lasting results.
Cranial Sacral Therapy is a gentle method of evaluating and releasing restrictions throughout the cranial-sacral system. This system includes the cranial and sacral bones, membranes, brain, spinal cord and nerves roots. Imbalances and dysfunctions in this system can contribute to neurological, sensory and motor disorders. Releasing these restrictions encourages flow of the cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord and can decrease pressure on the nerves and blood vessels enhancing the body’s integral ability to balance and restore health.
Example:
Recent or old concussions often respond well to Cranial Sacral Therapy, especially in combination with other manual therapies utilized by Dr. Johnston. Headaches, migraines, TMJ and neck and back pain often respond favorably to Cranial Sacral Therapy.
Pelvic floor therapy focuses and addresses problems in the pelvic region. This includes pain, incontinence, fertility challenges, weakness, prostate issues, interstitial cystitis, uterus and bladder prolapse, etc. Dr. Johnston treats pelvic problems as part of a whole person in that she treats the interconnected parts of pelvic floor problem with the rest of the body. Treatments consists of mindful evaluation and treatments that incorporates visceral mobilization, trigger point release, nerve and blood vessel release, selective muscle strengthening and re-education and trauma release therapies.