Essential Touch
a different kind of physical therapy
Naomi Richardson, PT, CMTPT
Spartanburg, South Carolina
864-621-5420
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Essential Touch a different kind of physical therapy Naomi Richardson, PT, CMTPT Spartanburg, South Carolina 864-621-5420
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I am a manual physical therapist which means that I use hands-on techniques and tools to help heal your body, mind, and spirit. There will always be an educational component to every session including explanations of what I do, why I do it, and how you can contribute to your own health and well-being. It would be helpful for you to be somewhat familiar with the techniques I use by reading the information below.
I have been using
Myofascial Release (MFR) in my Physical Therapy practice since 1988. Over the years I
have continued to go to MFR courses taught by John Barnes, PT to enhance my
skills. This technique forces you to look at how the whole body is affected by
restricted fascia. Fascia is "a tough connective tissue
that spreads throughout the body in a three dimensional web from head to foot
functionally without interruption." (Barnes) Fascia is the primary
mechanism that creates balance and support for the forces the body exerts or
that are exerted on the body. Basically, what that means is that fascia holds
our whole body together, from the smallest cell to the largest organ in the
body. When the body suffers trauma, (sports injuries,
falls, motor vehicle accidents or surgery) or there is chronic strain
somewhere, (such as what happens with chronically poor posture) then
a pattern of tension sets up in the fascia that puts pressure on
pain-sensitive tissues and restricts joint and muscle movement. MFR is a three
dimensional technique, meaning that every person has different patterns of
fascial movement and restrictions so the therapist has to individualize each
treatment according to what is found during the evaluation. MFR is a very gentle
fascial stretching technique that helps the most acute pain and yet can work
down to the primary or deepest source of chronic pain and restriction. I
have found that almost all of my patients, regardless of their physical
diagnosis, benefit from some or all of the MFR techniques that I use to help
heal their body.
Dry needling is an invasive procedure in which a very thin, solid filament needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point. A trigger point is a taut band of skeletal muscle located within a larger muscle group. Just touching a trigger point can be tender but these contracted knots can also refer pain to other areas of the body. Please see Dry Needling for more information.
Crainiosacral Therapy (CST) works with the deepest fascia or connective tissue so it complements MFR treatments. I learned this technique from John Barnes, PT as well. CST is geared toward restoring the proper function of the dural tube which is the connective tissue that lines the brain and spinal cord. Connective tissue, or fascia, envelops every cell and fiber in the body. It wraps around the smallest cell and the largest organ in the body; every nerve, muscle and blood vessel is wrapped with fascia. In a healthy body the fascia glides and moves with little to no restriction between the layers, but if we have any type of neuromusculoskeletal problems, tension is created in the connective tissue which causes it to thicken and the layers to stick together like glue. Low back pain, neck pain, migraines, headaches, temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ), neurological problems stemming from brain injuries or stroke respond well to CST because this kind of therapy calms the nervous system which can be irritated from the pressure on the brain and spinal cord by the restricted connective tissue surrounding it. CST is an "indirect" treatment approach on the body. If a kitchen drawer is stuck the direct approach is to pull it out. When this method isn't successful, pushing it in and maneuvering it a little is the indirect to get the drawer to release or open. CST uses this indirect, noninvasive approach to release soft tissue restrictions.
Strain
and Counterstrain (Positional Release)
The success of this
gentle, indirect technique for all kinds of pain relief never ceases to
amaze my clients as well as myself. After I find the tender trigger point I
simply place the body or extremity in a specific, defined position of greatest
comfort, hold for 90 seconds, then slowly return to a neutral position. The
scientific explanation for this technique, developed by Lawrence Jones, D.O.,
uses terms that are beyond the scope of this web site; however, I would be more
that happy to explain it all while you are receiving the positional release to
relieve your pain.
These are
another type of positional release, developed by Fred Mitchell, D.O., that helps
correct biomechanical dysfunction by using gentle isometric resistance. First, I
would evaluate what direction of movement your body cannot do without pain
or restriction. Second, I would position your shoulder, for example, in a
prescribed way and ask you to pull or push against my hand while I held you
still. Then, when you relax from your muscle contraction, I move you gently in
the direction of movement you need to improve. By doing this several times, the
range of motion (ROM) is improved and the tissues relax and let go of their
holding pattern and tension.
The physical therapy kind of ultrasound is different from the kind used by radiology in the hospital or an OB-GYN office. While their kind creates images, my kind creates a deep heat that penetrates to the bone to reach the deepest muscle layers to promote healing and relaxation of muscle spasms and soften connective tissue. I often use my ultrasound machine to prepare the body for Myofascial Release because I find the tenderness or sensitivity of the trigger points or muscles is lessened. Only a trained and licensed healthcare provider is allowed to use an ultrasound machine. Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants are the primary users of this modality.
I have been to many different
continuing education courses to learn about the energy field of the body, and
how to work with it to help with healing. I have discovered there is almost
as much for me to learn about the energy fields and energy flows of the body as
there is information currently known about the physical body. I use a
variety of techniques depending on the needs of my clients: I may do Reiki, ( I
am a Reiki Master), Jin Shin Jyutsu, or Chakra Balancing. I love to explain
to my clients how energy works in the human body to support our physical,
emotional, and mental health. The basic concepts of the "science of
energy" are not difficult to understand. When they are open to receiving
this gentle yet powerful approach to healing, my clients find that it enhances
and supports the physical body work that is done.
Kinesio taping is a
technique that helps the body's own natural healing process. This method of
treatment began 30 years ago in Japan by a chiropractor trying to boost the
body's circulatory system (venous and lymph flows) to help heal the
muscles, nerves and organs. This elastic tape is 100% cotton and latex
free. I have found it helpful for many kinds of musculoskeletal pain.
It is as if you take my hands with you for joint or muscle support 24 hours
a day. The tape can be worn for 3-5 days at a time if needed. Please check
this link for additional information. www.kinesiotaping.com
Phototherapy or "Cold Laser" is an easier way of saying "LLLT", which stands for Low Level Laser Therapy. It is "cold" because no heat is produced by this narrow spectrum, specific wavelength, light beam. After considerable research I was convinced that phototherapy could benefit my clients and I have to say the positive treatment results I have seen with the many different musculoskeletal complaints that my clients deal with have been very exciting. The unit I purchased in 2004 is a MEDX LCS 100 portable laser and you can check out the company and learn about Phototherapy at www.medxhealth.com.
In addition, in 2008, I acquired an additional adjunctive therapy which supports and accelerates healing. This state of the art photon therapy has proven itself to me and to my clients in a short time. The web site www.lumenphoton.com has some helpful explanations and fascinating testimonials.
There have been over 30 years of low-power laser use in Europe, Asia, Canada and
South America and more that 100 positive double blind research studies (the gold
standard of research studies) have been done to support the science of this kind
of light therapy. The FDA was very slow to approve the low-power laser in the
US. However, several years ago studies proved overwhelmingly that carpal tunnel
syndrome was effectively treated by the low-power laser and a protocol was
established for the use of the laser in Physical Therapy treatment and
intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome. LLLT is also FDA approved for treatment
of muscle and joint aches and pains, muscle spasms, arthritis and wound healing. I'm going to
explain the science of the phototherapy as simply as I can. If you are
interested in a more technical explanation please visit the links at the end of
this article.
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