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Posts Categorized: Treatments

Beneficial Reasons to Get a Massage

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Massage therapy is a great option to be integrated into a health and wellness plan. There are many benefits of therapeutic massage, including a healthier body and mind. Help your body maintain itself and learn about some of the benefits massages can provide.

Helps with Stress

Studies have shown that beneficial therapeutic massage has helped to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. During the process of muscle relaxation, coupled with human touch, stressors in the brain are potentially muted. When we are stressed, we release a hormone called cortisol. During times of relaxation, we experience less of the production of this hormone. When getting a massage, as part of our wellness care routine, we may release a hormone called dopamine. Dopamine is released when we experience something pleasant and it tells our brain that we enjoy this experience. Studies suggest that those that receive regular massage therapy experience less anxiety and stress, which may provide some with drug free healing options with a therapeutic massage therapy regimens.

Eases Muscle Pain

Professional massage therapists are experienced in human anatomy and are aware of how our muscular system functions. A lot of individuals have tension in their muscles due to posture. This could be due to poor postural practices or from sitting throughout the day. Unfortunately, sitting may not be avoided due to certain professions. However, therapeutic massage therapy offers individuals a means to counteract all the sitting they do throughout the day. This constant sitting can lead to tension in the neck and shoulders, as well as the gluteals. Unsurprisingly, workers experiencing back pain is one of the top reasons they call off of work. A professional massage can provide you with multiple benefits when booked regularly when it comes to helping you stay at your desk job comfortably.

Improves Sleep

When it comes to sleeping, many people struggle with falling and staying asleep. This could be due to many underlying causes, which include muscle strain and tension. This can lead to difficulties being comfortable while lying down in bed and waking up from feeling muscle pain. Massage therapy can provide you with natural pain relief to help you lay down in bed more comfortably. Getting regular massages can help you to feel more relaxed, as well as promote healthy muscle relaxation, leading to a more restful sleep.

Helps with Headaches

If you are experiencing frequent or painful headaches, you may want to consider booking a professional massage. Therapeutic massage therapy can help to relieve muscle tension, including tension build up in your neck and shoulders. With integrated physical medicine for tension headaches, this can often lead to increased strain in your head that can cause headaches. Relieving this tension can lead to fewer heachaches.

When it comes to massage therapy, there are many benefits. Regular massage can work wonders for your body and mind. Speak with your professional massage therapist about your goals and they will work with you on each session to help you get you to where you need to be.

Unconventional Ways Of Caring For Your Body

Posted by & filed under General, Treatments.

Back pains and body aches have become a part of our daily lives and pharmaceutical medications have always been our go-to for quick relief. However, in the past decade, individuals have discovered that there are more natural ways of healing. With people around the world continuously looking for better and more natural ways of caring for our bodies, physicians have learned that our natural resources can help maintain our health and aid in our bodies mechanical methods of mending itself. Wellness care through non-surgical techniques has become the future of pure healthcare and natural therapies.

Our backs are the most neglected part of our entire body, and we don’t even realize to what degree. The “BackBone” of our skeletal structure is quite literally just that, our spine; aka backbone. Without this simple but yet complex arrangement of vertebrae, we would not be able to get up off the floor. These thirty-three tiny bones stack one on top of the other, creating a tower of a winding staircase that supports the very structure of our existence.

They are able to pivot upon each other allowing us to bend, twist, and turn with flexibility; but unfortunately can slip out of place faster than a calf on branding day. Our vertebrae are cushioned by “Discs” that give us the ability to jump without fracturing these small bony processes but do wear down over time just like your seat cushion or a pair of shoes. Once worn down, this allows for one or multiple vertebrae to slide out of position causing large amounts of pain. There are physicians called Chiropractors with specific offices around our local areas that specialize in non-surgical techniques and manipulating the spine.

All over the world there are over one million chiropractic adjustments given every day. When going to a chiropractic clinic, you will fill out a questionnaire explaining your issues and X-rayed so they can see what exactly is going on; as well as discuss your options for treatment. Then these chiropractors will begin slowly relaxing your back muscles and adjusting your spine back into its original position. Additionally, they may suggest other drug free healing options to add to your treatment to aid in your bodies natural healing process.

Acupuncture and massage therapy are two other types of non-surgical techniques that provide a natural pain relief without all the over-the-counter medications. Surprisingly, more and more individuals rely on weekly appointments for one or the other; sometimes even both just to regain their posture and feel less tension throughout their bodies. Both types of therapies also allow for people to regain strength, coordination, and the ability to move throughout their day pain free. Now that we know about them, let’s talk about what the differences are between the two types of non-surgical techniques.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice that explains the technique for balancing our flow of energy, also known as chi(chee), by way of inserting a very tiny needle in very strategic points. Because these needles are being inserted at specific points along meridians, practitioners believe it will rebalance your energy. However, western culture doctors believe that these needles are stimulating nerves, muscle, and connective tissue which boosts your bodies natural painkillers. Whatever your beliefs, this non-surgical technique has helped many people walk pain free for a period of time.

Massage therapy has become more of a luxury than a necessity to most, but in reality, this can be quite painful in the beginning if your back is out of whack. By having a therapist “Work Out” the tension in your muscles releases constricted blood flow allowing oxygen to reach every aspect more quickly. Tension is caused by constricted blood vessels not allowing appropriate amounts of nutrients, enzymes, and oxygen flow through them. Once those kinks are worked out, your body will begin receiving adequate sources of nutrients and will begin the healing process needed.

 

Taking care of ourselves is not a punishment, it’s our duty to appreciate our machines and what they do for us.

Cupping Therapy

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Cupping therapy is a form of treatment in which a local suction is created on the skin. It has been traditionally used, by providers of alternative medicine, to invigorate the blood and to ‘pull’ metabolic waste (such as lactic acid) from the muscles. Cupping has been used for thousands of years in Asia and recently received attention in the media due to the use of cupping by the American Olympic swimming team. Michael Phelps, a competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals, reported using cupping to reduce soreness and to speed the healing of muscles.

Who will benefit from cupping?

Anybody with tight or painful muscles would benefit from it. For most people, the change is almost immediate and the muscles relax right after the treatment, but for some people, it might take a few treatments to feel the change.

How do we use cupping differently?

We do not use fire cupping (it might be risky). We use mechanical cupping, which allows us to adjust the level of tightness.

Does it hurt?

Most people describe cupping treatment as a sensation of ‘pulling’ in their back. After removal of the cups, the sensation is usually great and patients report relief from the chronic tightness. Since we use a mechanical pump with the cupping, we can control the strength.

Is cupping dangerous?

Not at all. Cupping, when done by an experienced professional, is very safe.

What to do after the cupping treatment?

Drink plenty of water! Very important. We want to help your body to recover faster and the release and ‘flush’ toxins out of the body.

As a leader in non-surgical injury and wellness care, Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine looks forward to helping you and your family recover from pain and get back to an active lifestyle. Call us today at (503) 489-1998 or fill out the brief contact form below to start feeling better today!

Electro Acupuncture

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Acupuncture is based on the principles of Chinese medicine and the physiological principles of the human body to promote health and balance. In the U.S., acupuncture is practiced by licensed practitioners with 8 years or more of academic study.

Electro -acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture is a form of acupuncture with a small electric current that is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles. The treatment is used to stimulate and increase the effectiveness of traditional acupuncture treatment. In some cases, the improvement is felt right after the first or second treatment. The electro-acupuncture is also used to stimulate the healing of a damaged or ‘pinched’ nerve.

What is it used for?

Mostly for severe pain or nerve dysfunction, with symptoms such as sharp pain, numbness, tingling, or radiating pain. Some studies also showed benefit with patients with joint pain or rheumatoid arthritis.

Is it painful?

As long it is done by a well-trained provider, electro-acupuncture is not painful. We can adjust both the frequency and strength to make sure that you are comfortable.

As a leader in non-surgical injury and wellness care, Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine looks forward to helping you and your family recover from pain and get back to an active lifestyle. Call us today at (503) 489-1998 or fill out the brief contact form below to start feeling better today!

Massage is all about helping you get better, naturally

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Massage therapy is not only a great way to relax after a tough week, there are many other health benefits to this therapeutic practice. Massage therapy has a long list of benefits including helping relieve anxiety, headaches, lower back pain, some digestive disorders and insomnia related to stress. A good massage is also great for increasing joint flexibility, treating soft tissue injuries and improving sleep quality.

Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine offers clinical therapeutic massage to help aid in the recovery of injuries due to auto accidents, on-the-job injuries, sports injuries or those old ailments that just need a little help.  Our experienced therapists are trained in multiple techniques to help tailor a treatment plan based on your specific needs.

  • Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax you.
  • Deep Tissue Massage. This massage technique uses slower, stronger, “deeper” strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to help with muscle damage from injuries or chronic tension that has built up.
  • Trigger Point Therapy involves applying deep focused pressure to trigger points (chronically bands of muscle tissue, deep in a muscle belly.) Pressure is applied for a brief moment with long strokes and stretching after. This can be an uncomfortable process, but can achieve great results.
  • Sports Massage can help you maintain flexibility and mobility in soft tissues to minimize muscle strains and tears during workouts and/or training to recover more swiftly after your routines.
  • Relaxation Massage is a great way to deal with stress-related back or neck tightness while promoting a sense of well-being.
  • Other methods i.e. Reflexology, pregnancy, lymphatic drainage, cancer, and geriatric.

Massage treatments can be used treat a whole variety of issues from managing pain, recovering from injuries to general well-being and wellness. At Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine, our massage treatments are combined with chiropractic care, acupuncture, and naturopathic care to provide optimum results. They can also be made on an individual or regular basis.

Is massage for me?

The answer is, YES! Massage is no longer just a luxury. Everybody can benefit from receiving massage. There are more studies coming out all the time proving the efficacy of massage therapy from relieving stress and anxiety to relieving and managing pain from fibromyalgia and migraines. Basically put, if you are in pain, massage can probably help you.

Many insurance plans even cover massage therapy, which can be prescribed by one of our chiropractors if it fits with your treatment plan. Massage sessions can very in duration to fit within your schedule and will leave you feeling reinvigorated, relaxed, and rested.

As a leader in non-surgical injury and wellness care, Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine looks forward to helping you and your family recover from pain and get back to an active lifestyle. Call us today at (503) 489-1998 or fill out the brief contact form below to start feeling better today!

TDP Lamp Therapy

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The TDP lamp is a specific electromagnetic lamp that produce far infrared (below visible light) emissions (2–50 micro-metre range, just in case you were wondering). TDP is an acronym for “Teding Diancibo Pu” which loosely translated means specific electromagnetic spectrum. The lamp is used in several hospitals in China and Japan to increase microcirculation, to loosen fascia and muscles, and to accelerate the natural healing processes of the body.

the TDP lamp is different from other far-infrared heating devices. It contains a heated mineral plate made of a proprietary formula of 33 trace elements, which stimulates your body to heal naturally.

Who would benefit from TDP lamp?

Anybody with muscles tightness, inflammation, or pain. The treatment is usually done on the neck, back, shoulders, knees, elbows, or ankles to recover faster from an injury (such as motor vehicle accident) and reduce pain. It can also be used for lower abdominal (cramping or period pain).

What to expect when getting a treatment?

A treatment with TDP lamp feels like a gentle sensation of heat and patients say that the treatment feels very relaxing. We usually used it together with or after cupping treatment.

As a leader in non-surgical injury and wellness care, Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine looks forward to helping you and your family recover from pain and get back to an active lifestyle. Call us today at (503) 489-1998 or fill out the brief contact form below to start feeling better today!

How Long Is Treatment?

Acupuncture treatments are highly personalized and can vary in length. The first session includes a health consultation to learn more about you and your ailments and may take up to an hour or more. Treatments themselves can last between 30 minutes to an hour. These relaxing treatments are not only great to unwind and relieve stress, they can ease pain and help improve sleep.

When Will I Feel Better?

This can vary quite a bit depending on your condition. Some patients feel better right after their first acupuncture session, others need a few treatments before feeling relief. How often treatment is needed is also unique to you and your condition. We often see patients need fewer treatments for acute issues, with chronic conditions requiring visits more often and for longer periods of time. Get in touch with us and we can discuss what your treatment would look like.

People Say Nice Things

“I was in a bad car accident and instantly had a bad headache, back pain and bruising- Dr. Heath and his staff walked me through all the insurance details as well as are getting me back on my feet- They have everything- massage, acupuncture and even some great lotion to help with my bruises- HIGHLY recommend this place. I won’t go anywhere else.” ~A.C.

Who Covers Care?

Acupuncture is covered. 100% of automotive and workers compensation insurance plans cover Acupuncture, in addition to some private plans. Your plan may cover acupuncture or our other services and we are happy to check for you.

Trigger Point Treatment

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What is a Trigger Point and What are Trigger Point Injections?

Trigger-point injections (TPI) are used to treat painful ‘knots’ of muscle (trigger points) that form when muscles do not relax. The definition of a trigger point, is an isolated spasm affecting just a patch of muscle tissue (not a whole-muscle spasm like a “charlie horse”). Often felt under the skin, the knots may cause localized pain and may irritate the nerves around them, causing referred pain elsewhere in the body.

Reasearch is still being done to understand all of the causes of Trigger Points, but the characteristics of pain and soreness often happen after an injury or accident. Sometimes Trigger Points can develop after surgical treatment and even because of chronic stress. Contact us today and we can talk to you specifically about your condition and let you know if Trigger Point Injections are the right treatment for you.

Trigger points can be caused by:

  • Sudden trauma to musculoskeletal tissues
  • Injury to intervertebral discs
  • Repetitive motions, excessive excercise, muscle strain do to activity
  • Lack of activity (i.e. broken arm in a sling)
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Nervous tension or stress

How it works:

During Trigger Point Injection Therapy, a solution of local anesthetic, saline, and/or cortisone is injected into the trigger point to relax the intense muscle spasm. Blood flow is restored to the area, flushing out irritating metabolites. Trigger Point Injections are used to treat many muscle groups, especially those in the arms, legs, lower back, and neck. It can also be used to treat fibromyalgia and tension headaches and to ease myofascial pain (chronic pain in the tissue surrounding muscle) that does not respond to other treatments.

Treatment:

After cleansing the skin, the treatment solution is injected into the trigger point using a small needle. Several sites may be injected in one visit. Injections usually take just a few minutes. A brief course of several treatments usually results in sustained relief. A dry-needle technique (involving no medications) can be used for patients with medication allergies. Numbness from the anesthetic can last for about an hour and a small bruise may develop at the injection site. Alternating heat and ice helps with any temporary discomfort. Often, stretching excercises and physical therapy is performed after Trigger Point Injection treatments.

As a leader in non-surgical injury and wellness care, Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine looks forward to helping you and your family recover from pain and get back to an active lifestyle. Call us today at (503) 489-1998 or fill out the brief contact form below to start feeling better today!

Acupuncture Treatment Options

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Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine is an integrative medical practice specializing in natural treatments for pain through Joint Care, Naturopathic, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and Massage Therapies. Located in Gresham Oregon, near Portland.
(503) 489-1998

Acupuncture is an ancient technique that promotes your body’s natural healing process through the placement of thin, sterile needles into precise acupuncture points. Each treatment is personalized to your signs and symptoms. Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment. Clinical research continues to prove its validity and promote its growth and acceptance. Acupuncture has none of the toxic side effects associated with pharmaceutical medications.

Traditional Acupuncture uses the insertion of thin sterile needles to activate what are known as acupoints throughout the body to promote healing and help reduce pain.

Electro-acupuncture is a form of acupuncture with a small electric current that is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles. The treatment is used to stimulate and increase the effectiveness of traditional acupuncture treatment.

Cupping therapy is a form of treatment in which a local suction is created on the skin. It has been traditionally used, by providers of alternative medicine, to invigorate the blood and to ‘pull’ metabolic waste (such as lactic acid) from the muscles.

The TDP lamp is a specific electromagnetic lamp that produce far infrared emissions. The lamp is used in several hospitals in China and Japan to increase microcirculation, to loosen fascia and muscles, and to accelerate the natural healing processes of the body.