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Shreveport's Premier Sports & Physical Therapy

The Edge offers an array of physical therapy, rehabilitative, and preventive services ensuring optimal care for patients. We are continually improving upon our physical therapy skills in order to provide patients with the most effective, comprehensive, and evidence-based treatment available.

Physical Therapy

ServiceS

Manual Therapy

Astym® treatment is a therapy that regenerates healthy soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.), and eliminates or reduces unwanted scar tissue that may be causing pain or movement restrictions. One of the main reasons Astym® treatment is so much more effective than other treatments is that it was scientifically developed to resolve the underlying cause of soft tissue problems, rather than just trying to temporarily relieve symptoms. It is one of the most researched and effective therapy treatments available. Astym® treatment is used to resolve tendinopathies, scar tissue problems, and other soft tissue dysfunctions.  See www.astym.com for more information.

Dry Needling is a term for a therapeutic treatment procedure that involves multiple advances of a filament needle into the muscle in an area of the body which produces pain or is the origin of a referred pain. These areas typically contain a ‘Trigger Point’.   There is no injectable solution and the needle which is used is very thin.

Dry needling is an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain, rehabilitation from injury, and even pain and injury prevention, with very few side effects. This technique is unequaled in finding and eliminating neuromuscular dysfunction that leads to pain and functional deficits.
Our staff is trained through Kinetacore and MS Dry Needling.

Kinetacore: https://www.kinetacore.com

MS Dry Needling: https://www.msdryneedling.com/

Myofascial Decompression (or Cupping) is a therapy which helps with musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. The therapy utilizes suction to create a vacuum between the skin and underlying tissues by way of a process that is the reverse of massage therapy. Myofascial Cupping has been around since the early 19th century but only recently has the image of purple circles on professional athlete’s backs created attention to an ancient myofascial therapy.  The cups and techniques have changed over time, but the basic premise of the cups providing suction to decompress the underlying tissue remains the same.

Joint mobilization is a manual therapy intervention, a type of passive movement of a skeletal joint. It is usually aimed at a ‘target’ synovial joint with the aim of achieving a therapeutic effect. 

Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a form of a manual therapy which uses a muscle’s own energy in the form of gentle isometric contractions to relax the muscles via autogenic or reciprocal inhibition, and lengthen the muscle. As compared to static stretching which is a passive technique in which therapist does all the work, MET is an active technique in which patient is also an active participant. MET can be used for any condition in which the goal is to cause relaxation and lengthening of the muscles and improve range of motion (ROM) in joints. Muscle energy techniques can be applied safely to almost any joint in the body.

Soft tissue mobilization is a form of manual physical therapy where your licensed PT uses hands-on techniques on your muscles, ligaments and fascia in order to break adhesions and optimize your muscle function.

Stretching exercises can be done passively in the rehabilitative setting when an individual has limitations (such as post surgery) and is unable to perform the stretch himself. It is important that this specific type of stretching be done under the direction of a physical therapist. Additionally, manual stretching may be performed to more effectively stretch a muscle or fascia in order to gain motion in a restricted area.

PROCEDURES & EXERCISE

  • Rocktape:

    Kinesiology tape that aims to address several issues associated with soft tissue dysfunction.  It turns down the pain by interfering with painful signals that are directed to the brain.  It decompresses swelling and inflammation by the microscopic lifting effect it creates under the skin.  It can delay fatigue by assisting with muscle function.  It normalizes muscle tone by assisting with bringing dormant muscle back to life and calming down overactive muscles.  Finally, it distributes physical stress by allowing full movement of a taped area, allowing forces to be distributed to nearby areas through fascia, ligaments and even bones.  See www.rocktape.com for more information.

  • McConnell Tape:

    Rigid, highly adhesive and structurally supportive kinesiology tape that helps to restore normal positioning and neuromuscular control around a joint.  It is most commonly used to reduce anterior knee pain by regulating the pulling forces around the knee to normalize the joint alignment.  It is also commonly used to assist with normalizing postural positioning of the scapulae in conditions affecting the shoulder.

Iontophoresis is a process of transdermal drug delivery by use of a voltage gradient on the skin. Molecules are transported across the stratum corneum by electrophoresis and electroosmosis and the electric field can also increase the permeability of the skin.

Ultrasound is a therapeutic modality that is used by physical therapists. Ultrasound is applied using a round-headed wand or probe that is put in direct contact with the patient’s skin. Ultrasound gel is used on all surfaces of the head in order to reduce friction and assist in the transmission of the ultrasonic waves. The sound waves that pass through the skin cause a vibration of the local tissues. This vibration or cavitation can cause a deep heating locally though usually no sensation of heat will be felt by the patient. In situations where a heating effect is not desirable, such as a fresh injury with acute inflammation, the ultrasound can be pulsed rather than continuously transmitted. Ultrasound can produce many effects other than just the potential heating effect. It has been shown to cause increases in tissue relaxation, local blood flow, and scar tissue breakdown. The effect of the increase in local blood flow can be used to help reduce local swelling and chronic inflammation.

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation, is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses.

Mechanical spinal traction is the use of mechanical devices that exert a pulling force through a rope and various halters and straps. The tractive force results in a longitudinal separation and gliding apart of cervical (neck) or lumbar (back) spinal segments. The main purpose of mechanical traction is to reduce symptoms of cervical (neck) or lumbar (back) spinal compression. This is accomplished by allowing increased space for spinal nerves, elongating muscle tissue, decreasing sensitivity and muscle guarding, decreasing intradiscal pressure and increasing blood supply to the disc.

The American Physical Therapy Association defines ‘Therapeutic Exercise’ as a systematic performance or execution of planned physical movements or activities intended to enable the patient or client to remediate or prevent impairments of body functions and structures, enhance activities and participation, reduce risk, optimize overall health, and enhance fitness and well-being.

Our Physical Therapists will select, prescribe, and implement therapeutic exercise activities after a detailed evaluation indicates the use of these activities to enhance or maintain physical performance, improve safety, enhance postural control, and increase muscle strength, power, and endurance.

Orthotics are orthopedic devices that are used to alter or modify foot function and are designed to treat, adjust, and support various biomechanical foot disorders.  These orthotics are used in reducing or eliminating foot, knee, hip, or back pain related to standing, walking, or jogging. Common reasons we recommend orthotics are posterior tibialis dysfunction, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, knee pain, hip or back pain. But everyone will benefit from proper foot support and alignment to prevent injury or overuse.

The EDGE utilizes PAL Health Technologies who has been known as a national leader in manufacturing custom, prescription foot orthoses since 1976.


PAL Health Technologies: https://xtremity3d.com

NormaTec Recovery Systems are cutting edge compression solutions that enhance the body’s natural ability to recover faster. The NormaTec Systems utilize a patented massage pattern “NormaTec Pulse Technology.” Using NormaTec’s full-length leg compression boots, arms and hips before or after intense workouts and games, rejuvenates muscle tissue and dramatically reduces tightness and soreness. Invented by an MD, PhD and perfected by professional athletes, NormaTec recovery systems are the go-to equipment for the world’s best. NormaTec Recovery Systems are the face of recovery within elite athletic spheres everywhere.  

Sports & Performance

Injury Prevention programs can ensure you the long-term lifestyle you seek.

Based on your personal lifestyle and goals, our physical therapy team will perform a thorough evaluation to determine your body’s baseline strengths and weaknesses, while also analyzing the way you move and the stresses that place on your musculoskeletal system. Then, we’ll provide an individualized program to:

  • Improve your balance & body mechanics
  • Increase your strength & flexibility
  • Establishe awareness in movement
  • Enhance performance
  • Provide prevention education

Runners, are you at risk for injury?  Physical therapists are movement specialists and are trained to determine dysfunctional movement patterns.  Dysfunctional movement may occur in runners secondary to tight/short muscles, muscular weakness, poor foot mechanics, or incorrect running shoes for the runner’s foot type.  During this assessment, your running gait pattern will be assessed along with a thorough evaluation of strength, range of motion and foot position to determine if dysfunction is occurring that may cause injury down the road.

You don’t have to continue running in pain or discomfort. Let us get you back to the track, treadmill or trail. You deserve to run happy and free- begin your journey to happy
running today.

Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Golf Assessment:
Golfers can spend hundreds of dollars on the latest equipment, but may forget that golf fitness training for the body is the most important tool. Strength and mobility training for golf are vital aspects of improving your golf game as well as staying healthy. Golfers will be assessed on their overall function by going through a series of mobility and stability movements designed to grade, record and analyze the body’s function as it relates to the golf swing. Dr. Trent Wierick has worked with golfers of all ages at the junior, collegiate, amateur, and the professional level to prevent and overcome injuries, as well as performance improvement.


Titleist Performance Institute: www.mytpi.com

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