Posture Alignment and Pain Management Center

            The PAPM is for anyone seeking relief from chronic pain. From the low back to knees and hips, our methods are focused on alleviating those symptoms that limit the activity of our daily lives. Focusing on bringing the body back to normal function through proper structural alignment and balance, this center offers revolutionary techniques to correcting dysfunction. Utilizing a blend of Egoscue Therapy (www.egoscue.com), functional movements, and corrective exercise techniques, we strive relieve pain and bring the body back to normal function. Our Egoscue Certified Postural Assessment Specialist (PAS) and NASM (www.nasm.org) Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) will work together to find and correct most chronic dysfunctions caused by structural imbalances and faulty postures.

 

            Your first visit will include a comprehensive postural analysis, functional testing, and structural balance testing. The goal of the testing is different from that of a traditional therapist or orthopedic professional. In these fields, the symptomatic area is evaluated and a plan is put into place to bring relief to this area. A plan consisting of surgery, electric stimulation, anti-inflammatory medications, ice, and therapeutic exercises are common modalities to treat the symptomatic region. Because the focus is on the symptoms rather than the underlying dysfunction, the individual may never return to complete health as other compensations may arise if the dysfunction is not treated. The Egoscue Method approach is to ignore the symptoms and target the underlying dysfunction, which is causing the symptoms. Alleviating chronic pain and returning the body back to proper structure and function is the goal of the APECS Pain Management and Postural Alignment Center.

Upon completion of the testing, a therapeutic exercise prescription consisting of both active and passive movements will be created to alleviate the patient’s acute pain and bring them back to muscular balance. Correct technique of these therapeutic exercises is crucial, as with faulty form will come faulty movement. Just as important as the mechanics of the exercise, is the sequencing of these exercises in the prescription. One exercise must prepare the body for the next exercise in succession; otherwise the results may be negated through faulty sequencing. The exercise prescription will be performed on a daily basis for an average of one week, until the next appointment. After this time frame, a re-evaluation is performed see if there is improvement. If improvement is visible, a new prescription may be necessary, as the body may adapt to the previous plan.

At the APECS Postural Alignment and Pain Management Center we also integrate these therapy modalities into the comprehensive training of athletes. This method utilizes priming therapeutic movements prior to and during the workout as well as specialized recovery workouts to give the athlete the competitive edge through correction of dysfunction. To correct an athlete’s dysfunction and imbalances, will lead to greater movement efficiency and correct muscle activation/sequencing patterns, which in the long run will lead increased performance on the field.