Stretching and Strength Training
What is Stretching and Strength Training?
Stretching and Strength Training is a healthcare profession / licensure that assesses, diagnoses, treats, and works to rehabilitate or prevent disability through physical means (stretches, exercises, movement activities). Dr. Staub received his training for Stretching and Strength Training (Physical Medicine Modalities and Therapeutic Procedures (previously known as “Physiotherapy”)) while at Logan University in St. Louis, Mo. He is licensed in the state of Arizona and Nationally Board Certified. Dr. Staub utilizes his Stretching and Strength Training license in order to help his patients focus on movement and function; while assisting them in overcoming movement disorders, which may have been present from birth, acquired through accident or injury, degenerative changes / disease processes or as a result of the aging processes.
Dr. Staub uses Stretching and Strength Training to help his patients recover from injury, reduce pain and stiffness, and increase mobility. Dr. Staub will also help you prevent further injury by listening to your needs and working with you to plan the most appropriate treatment for your condition, including setting goals and treatment outcomes. We put the “care” back into healthcare!
What does the Stretching and Strength Training that Dr. Staub practices involve?
Dr. Staub is trained to assess your condition, diagnose the problem, and help you understand what’s wrong. Your treatment plan will take into account your lifestyle, activities, and general health.
The following are common treatment methods Dr. Staub may use (depending on your comfort level and capabilities):
- Custom exercise programs to improve mobility and strengthen muscles
- Joint adjustments and mobilization to reduce pain and stiffness
- Muscle re-education to improve control
- Soft tissue release / trigger point work (massage)
- Cold Laser Therapy (see explanation below)
- Contrast therapy, hot packs, and or ice as needed
- Assistance with use of wraps, keniso-tape, orthotics, or splints
What is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold Laser Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a treatment that utilizes specific wave-lengths of light to interact with tissue and has been known to help accelerate the healing process. It can be used on patients who suffer from a variety of acute, subacute and or chronic conditions, in order to help eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasming and increase functionality.
How do Cold Lasers Work?
Dr. Staub uses a Cold laser that is about the size of a flashlight. The laser is placed directly over the injured area for 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the dose provided by the cold laser unit.
During this time, the non-thermal photons of light that are emitted from the laser pass through the skins layers (the dermis, epidermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin). This light has the ability to penetrate 2 to 5 centimeters below the skin at 90mw and 830 nm.
Once the light energy passes through the layers of skin and reaches the target area, it is absorbed and interacts with the light sensitive elements in the cell. This process can be compared to photosynthesis in plants – sunlight is absorbed by plants, which is then converted to usable energy so that the plant can grow.
When cells absorb this light energy, it initiates a series of events in the cell that enables the cell to normalize damaged or injured tissue, reduce pain, inflammation / edema and reduce healing time by increasing intracellular metabolism.1,2
References:
- Martin R. Laser-Accelerated Inflammation/Pain Reduction and Healing. Practical Pain Management. Nov/Dec 2003 3(6):20-25.
- Marovino T. Cold Lasers in Pain Management. Practical Pain Management. Sep/Oct 2004. 4(6):37-42.