OSTC

Dry needling in physical therapy uses the needle to deactivate hyperirritable spots within the muscle. The goal is to decrease pain and restore function. Trigger points are discrete, focal hyperirritable spots located in a taut band of the skeletal muscle. They produce pain locally and in a referred pattern. Chronic musculoskeletal disorders are also often accompanied.

Trigger Point Dry Needling is not acupuncture. TDN is based on western medical research and principles, whereas acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine. The main similarity is that the same sterile, disposable solid monofilament needles are used.

Commonly asked questions:

After a dry needling session, how will I feel?


-Soreness may arise after treatment. The soreness can occur and should not be thought of as abnormal in the treated area of the body. It may feel like you have had an intense work out and are sore. Sometimes the soreness can take a few hours to set in or even as late as the next day. Varying levels of soreness differ with each person. Usually soreness can last 24-48 hours.

-All though somewhat uncommon, bruising is a possibility. However, it should not be considered a concern. Common areas for bruising include the shoulder, face, chest, and sections of the extremities. Icing can help with bruising.

-The aggravation of symptoms is normal and can be a sign of needing to quickly pursue a follow up with your practitioner for continued treatment.

After treatment, what should I do and what is recommended?

-For the next 24 hours after treatment it is highly recommended to increase water intake. Increasing your intake and help reduce soreness. Soaking in a hot bath or hot tub is also recommended to help decrease soreness.

-Based on comfort levels, after treatment, the following may be performed.

• Stretch/ work out
• Massage the treated area
• Continue any prescription medication as prescribed
• Physical activity should be participated in as normal
• Ice or heat post treatment soreness as preferred

If any of these activities hurt or increase symptoms discontinuing that activity is advised.

Is there anything I should avoid after treatment?

• Sports or other physical activities that are unfamiliar to you
• Try to not do more than you do in a normal day
• Do not drink alcohol in excess

The kinesio taping “k- tape” concept is to mimic the application/placement of a therapist’s hands on the patient. The success of Kinesio taping is dependent upon two factors; proper evaluation of the patient’s condition and proper application of the Kinesio-taping technique. A thorough evaluation of the patient and the problem area allows a trained therapist to apply the correct taping technique to the proper tissues.
The clinical application of k-tape is the systematic application of several elements of the Kinesio taping technique. Each element of the Kinesio taping technique has a specific function.

Although a relatively simple product, k-tape can be used to treat a virtually limitless number of ailments and injuries. By mimicking the qualities of human skin, k-tape can provide a proven, comfortable treatment to patients of any age or condition. K-tape is 100% latex free. K-tape works by subcutaneously lifting the skin to improve fluid movement and alleviate pain. The five main physiological effects of k-tape are:

• Skin
• Circulatory/Lymphatic System
• Fascia
• Muscle
• Joint

Kinesio tape is often used in conjunction with other modalities, treatments, and exercises to help a patient regain full range of motion and strength.

We have seen good results taping for:

• Shoulder impingement
• Patellar tendonitis
• Patellar tracking issues
• Acute muscle strains
• Hip bursitis
• Achilles tendonitis

OSTC is proud to be the first clinic in the Wichita Falls area to offer LiteCure Laser Therapy. This next generation healing modality is up to 3000 times more powerful than conventional lasers.

Laser Therapy is an FDA approved modality that reduces inflammation and ultimately results in pain reduction. Laser Therapy is effective in treating acute pain, chronic conditions, and post-op pain.

Laser therapy treatment is safe, painless, and fast. Deep Tissue Laser Therapy treatments are administered in 5 to 10 minute time segments and typically patients see results after 3 to 5 sessions. Deep Tissue Laser Therapy utilizes your body’s own healing powers by stimulating cellular activity. Despite fast treatment times, laser therapy initiates a healing process that continues to actively reduce inflammation for up 24 hours. During treatment, you will feel a soothing warmth that identifies the beginning of an 18-24 hour process of modulated cellular activity leading to decreased pain and inflammation.

What does Laser do?

“Laser Treatment” or Photobiostimulation causes physiological and biochemical events to occur within the cell which may include the following:
• Analgesia (relief from pain)
• Reduced inflammation
• Accelerated tissue repair/wound healing
• Increased blood flow
• Reduced fibrous tissue formation
• Improved nerve function

How does therapeutic Laser give pain relief?

• Increases release of beta endorphins
• Increases release of nitric oxide
• Decreases bradykinin levels
• Stabilizes the membrane potential of the nerve cells

Laser Therapy Pricing

• 1 treatment $20.00
• 10 treatments $150.00

What is IASTM?

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization is a manual muscle therapy that is performed with ergonomically designed instruments. The specialists at OSTC are trained and certified to use these special tools.

Who is IASTM for?

IASTM is beneficial for many patients and is often used in conjunction with therapeutic exercises, additional modalities, and other manual muscle therapies.

Indications for IASTM:

• Limited motion
• Pain during motion
• Motor control issues
• Muscle recruitment issues

Conditions for which IASTM is usually used:

• Medial Epicondylitis, Lateral Epicondylitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Neck Pain
• Plantar Fascitis
• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
• Patellar Tendinitis
• Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis
• Heel Pain /Achilles Tendinitis
• DeQuervain’s Syndrome
• Post-Surgical and Traumatic Scars
• Myofascial Pain and Restrictions
• Musculoskeletal Imbalances
• Chronic Joint Swelling Associated with Sprains/Strains
• Ligament Sprains
• Muscle Strains
• Non-Acute Bursitis
• RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
• Back Pain
• Trigger Finger
• Hip Pain (Replacements)
• IT Band Syndrome
• Shin Splints
• Chronic Ankle Sprains
• Acute Ankle Sprains (Advanced Technique)
• Scars (Surgical, Traumatic)

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training is a training strategy that involves the use of cuffs or wraps placed around a limb during exercise. The pressure is increased enough to restrict venous return, while allowing for arterial blood flow. The person is then asked to perform high rep exercises with a very low weight.

Blood Flow Restriction may sound scary, but the risks are no more than general weight lifting. Study after study proves that this training technique is useful in helping athletes and patients gain strength, power, and muscle size and reduce muscle atrophy following surgery.

So why does BFR work? Resistance training with low load weight training and BFR shows greater post-exercise muscle protein synthesis, higher growth hormone elevations, and more robust molecular signaling responses than conventional resistance training with a similar load.

At OSTC, therapist often use BFR to help athletes maintain muscular strength after ACL or Meniscal Knee surgery. This allows athletes return to their sport sooner!

MTrigger uses surface EMG pads connected to a portable device to measure the electrical activity produced during a muscle contraction. The electrical activity can be monitored using an Ipad or phone. During your physical therapy session, the Mtrigger device may be used to help patients see their performance in real time and get immediate feedback from their therapists. The Mtrigger motivates patients to control interactive biofeedback games and activities, allowing patients to play, train, and track their performance over the course of therapy. Patients can download an app to their phones and keep track of their own progress as well.

OSTC currently has 3 MTrigger devices. These units are used in house for physical therapy and often sent home with patients to help maximize a patient’s home exercise program. The physical therapist at OSTC love the MTrigger because it can objectively measure muscular deficits. Patients love the MTrigger device because it is easy to use, completely painfree, and provides a visual representation of their progress.