At McCook Therapy what you can expect is a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of and best treatment for acute or chronic pain. Our therapists are trained to discern whether your pain is a muscular, spine, or nerve issue. Some pain is expected such as following an injury or surgery typically caused by swelling and stiffness. Secondly, pain can be caused by overuse which can cause tendonitis such as tennis elbow, bursitis, etc. The last type of pain is chronic pain which can be traced to a specific injury that has long since healed.  This could include an injury, a serious infection, or even a surgical incision. Other cases have no apparent cause -- no prior injury and an absence of underlying tissue damage. However, many cases of chronic pain are related to these conditions:

 

• Low back pain

• Shoulder pain

• Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis

• Headache

• Multiple sclerosis

• Fibromyalgia

• Shingles

• Nerve damage (neuropathy)

 

Once we have determined the source of your pain, we develop a treatment plan of remedies. Some of these remedies include:

 

• Stretching/range of motion

• Strengthening/therapeutic exercise

• Manual techniques including mobilization and various types of massage

 

Modalities of ultrasound, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, and cryotherapy are also used when appropriate. If a neural issue, often times decompression or muscle energy techniques are used to realign the spine or a joint to free up a nerve pathway. Typically, this is followed by an emphasis on postural restoration. Poor posture can be one of the primary causes for pain to develop. Postural Restoration is a specific physical therapy science that explores and explains postural adaptations, asymmetrical patterns and the influence of fascia and muscle connections on the human body.

 

Finally, we will work with you to modify your lifestyle to prevent these issues from recurring through education as to home or wellness programming, work hardening, and ergonomic instruction.