By Keith Scott, PT, DPT, Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers
All of us have done it before, put off that nagging pain, thinking that it will resolve on its own. We have probably “Googled” the signs and symptoms and tried to self-treat or self-diagnose with the suggestions that we find on the Internet. With out-of-pocket health care costs rising, this approach seems more and more reasonable; though sorting through the plethora of conflicting information online can be frustrating. Putting off that pain sometimes works. When it does not, clinicians who treat chronic soft tissue injuries, fortunately, have another option other than the traditional use of NSAIDS, splinting/bracing, therapeutic modalities (ultrasound, electrical stimulation), injection, or surgery — Astym® (pronounced A-stim) Treatment.
Tendinitis/Tendinosis
Pain can develop from a variety of reasons and understanding a little background on some of the most common musculoskeletal pain is useful. Tendinitis is a term used to describe inflammation in or around a tendon (the structures that attach muscle to bone, typically found near joints); usually, the term is used to describe active or acute inflammation developed in the first six weeks after the initial onset of pain or symptoms. Histological (muscle or tendon tissue) studies suggest that long-standing, resistant, or chronic tendinitis may actually be something called tendinosis, which would suggest a more degenerative condition of the tendons rather than active inflammation.
This may seem trivial to quibble over the naming or classifying of these two conditions, but the way the two conditions are treated is quite different. Because tendinitis involves active inflammation and is an acute condition, it is typically treated with anti-inflammatories, rest, ice, and compression. Whereas tendinosis involves underlying issues, where the quality of the tissue has degraded and has become dysfunctional, perhaps due to excessive scar tissue development or inadequate healing. Over time, the tissues are not able to withstand the stresses required for everyday tasks and pain develops. The fibrous, strong scar tissue is meant to reinforce an area, but often it ends up causing pain and limiting mobility. Research has shown that tendonitis does not always precede tendinosis.
One possible therapy is called Astym Treatment. It can be used to proactively treat some of the more complex, yet common conditions that may have failed with other treatment options or that may be better classified as tendinosis. Astym is a method in which a certified clinician will use instruments to stimulate regeneration and healing in dysfunctional tissue, giving patients a “dose” of a healing stimulus to encourage remodeling and regeneration of collagen. Collagen is the fibrous material that your body naturally produces to heal muscles and tendons. The treatment usually takes place in a physical therapy setting, but some physicians practice this technique as well, and the actual treatment takes approximately 15-20 minutes to perform. This type of treatment is followed by prescribed stretches, exercises, and other hands-on techniques to further encourage the healing process.
The common, but tough to treat, conditions that Astym Treatment works particularly well on include: plantar fasciitis, tennis or golfer’s elbow, chronic hamstring strains, chronic neck pain, persistent rotator cuff pain, ankle/foot tendinitis, patellar tendinitis, and many more conditions. The average number of treatments is between 10-12, depending on the diagnosis, and is backed by peer reviewed evidence and an enormous collection of outcomes data to support its effectiveness. The typical patient being treated with this system will notice incremental and noticeable changes within the first few visits with no disruption to their normal routines. Most importantly, there is no additional cost to the patient to receive this specific treatment in physical therapy.
Interested in more information? Contact any of the Peoria Area Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers. Please note that not all physical therapists are certified in Astym® Treatment, but you can visit their website to find a trained clinician in your area at astym.com.
Photo credit: nebari/iStock