Synergy Healthcare: Helping Aches & Pains

Synergy Healthcare: Helping Aches & Pains

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COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT FREQUENCY SPECIFIC MICROCURRENT

Q: What is a microcurrent? A: A microcurrent is a tiny electric current that is only a few millionths of an ampere. An ampere is the measurement of the movement of electrons past a certain point. Your body produces this type of current within each cell on its own. You can tell the machine is running by watching the conductance meter on the machine, but the current is so small that it can not be felt as it flows through the sensory nerves. Q: What is the history of microcurrent? A: Microcurrent was first used by physicians in Europe and the US in the 1980s to stimulate bone repair. The effects of single channel microcurrent on increasing the rate of healing in wounds and fractures have been published in numerous studies. There are a number of devices that can deliver a micro amperage current; however, all of the research and papers published on Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) have been done using a device manufactured by Precision Microcurrent Inc.

Q: What can the FSM machines treat? A: The purpose of the machine is symptomatic pain relief, and it is approved as a TENS device for that purpose. Q: What can the frequencies treat? A: The frequencies treat pain and function in a large number of conditions. FSM is especially effective at treating nerve and muscle pain, inflammation, and scar tissue. Fibromyalgia associated with spinal trauma, which is particularly painful and difficult to treat even with narcotics, can be treated with one specific frequency combination; that particular combination has been observed to eliminate pain in patients with this condition. Shingles has been shown to respond very well to another specific frequency combination that eliminates the pain in 20 minutes, and also causes the lesions to dry up and disappear in about two to three days. There is one frequency combination that has been 100% effective in eliminating kidney stone pain; however, it does nothing to remove the stone itself. Some frequencies have been observed to have effects on asthma, liver dysfunction (reducing elevated liver enzymes), irritable bowel, and many other conditions. (continued inside)

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The Chronicle Getting You Back on Track

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT FREQUENCY SPECIFIC MICROCURRENT

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Patients who are treated within four hours of a new injury, including auto accidents and surgeries, have shown reduced pain and an accelerated healing process. There are no guarantees that any protocol will be effective for a patient on any condition. In general, the frequencies either work or they don’t; if they don’t work they simply have no effect (there are no negative side effects). FSM is to be used as an adjunct to other therapeutic approaches for the patient after proper diagnosis. It is NOT recommended that the frequencies be used to treat cancer. The condition is too serious and too complicated to be addressed with this technique. Q: Are there risks or dangers to the patient? A: Therearenoriskstothepatientthatweknowofas longasthepractitioner follows the proper contraindications and precautions associated with both FSM and the use of microcurrent. There are frequencies used to remove scar tissue that should not be used within 6 weeks of a new injury. When muscles are successfully treated the range of motion can increase so much that joints and nerves may become temporarily painful until range of motion returns to normal. Also, after muscles are treated there may be a detoxification reaction that occurs 90 minutes after treatment. This can be lessened by drinking water and taking an antioxidant combination supplement. Q: Is there anyone who will not benefit from FSM? A: Patients who are dehydrated will not benefit from FSM. Patients are advised to drink at least one quart of water one hour preceding treatment. Patients who are chronically dehydrated may need more water over several days prior to their treatments. No technique is 100% effective, and FSM is no exception. The effectiveness of FSM depends on accurate diagnoses. For example: shoulder pain can come frommuscles, tendons, bursa, discs, nerves, or joints. FSM can treat pain from all of these pain generators effectively; but if the muscle is treated while the shoulder pain is really from nerves or the bursa, the muscle may be changed but not the patient’s pain since the pain is not coming from the muscle.

Q: What is the difference between the microcurrent and a laser? A: Microcurrent provides electrons and has been shown to increase ATP production in cells. Lasers provide photons, and use one frequency at a time from an oscillating set of frequencies unlike microcurrent which uses dual frequencies. Lasers provide their benefits through methods different from frequency specific resonance and ATP enhancement. Q: What is the difference between microcurrent,TENS, and ultrasound? A: TENS devices use milliamperage current to block the pain messages from reaching the spine and moving up to the brain. Microcurrent uses subsensory microamperage current, 1000 times less than milliamperage current, to increase ATP production in tissues. Ultrasound is beneficial but it is a different technique; it uses ultrasonic vibrations, which create heat in the tissue. Ultrasound does not use electrical current and does not change ATP status.

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WHY DO YOUR MUSCLES ACHE?

Musclepain is oneof themost common forms of pain. It frequently develops as a result of injury or overuse and can develop almost anywhere in the body. It is most common in the arms, shoulders, legs, back, and neck. Sometimes, muscle pain will come and go, developing and then quickly subsiding before becoming a long-term issue. But this is not always the case. A sprain or strain of a ligament, which are the fibrous tissues that connect bones and joints, can cause long-term pain if correct healing does not occur. The most common issues of muscle pain are related to injuries, especially: • Neck and back injury • Shoulder injury • Sprain or strain injury • Stress from overuse or tension In some situations, muscle pain can also be caused by: • Certain medication usage • Fibromyalgia

pain in many chronic conditions, such as in the cases of certain autoimmune diseases and fibromyalgia. Most aches and pains are temporary and generally last 1-3 days. However, once muscle pain begins to go past 3 days without changing, or you feel the same aches and pains repeatedly, it’s time to give us a call as there may be an underlying problem, such as muscle imbalance or stiff tissues and joints.

• Autoimmune disease • Other chronic concerns

In situations like these, your pain may need to be addressed by a medical professional. Physical therapists are able to address the underlying cause of

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Staff Spotlight

Kevin Brick, OT

Kevin received his bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy in 1978 and an advanced master’s in Research and Technology in 1992 at State University of New York (SUNY) in Buffalo. He has extensive clinical expertise in orthopedic and neurological conditions from pediatrics to geriatrics. Kevin combines a wide variety of technologies to expedite healing and train his patients in proper body mechanics and compensatory movement strategies. His knowledge of acute injuries and chronic pain has developed from comprehensive education and training in soft tissue osteopathic approaches. He is proficient in craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, and muscle energy techniques that serve to

complement physical agent modalities and traditional therapy approaches. He also has extensive experience in Frequency Specific Microcurrent, a modality which directly affects the cause of pain and dysfunction at a cellular level. He was the internship coordinator and instructor at Eastern Washington University, where he assisted in developing coursework for the Occupational Therapy Department in transitioning from a bachelor’s to a master’s program. During his graduate education, he co-instructed the undergraduate course on the philosophy of effective client care and management.

CDA (208) 666-0611

VALLEY (509) 413-1630

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Patient Success Spotlight

“I have had chronic pain throughout my body for many years. My neck, right wrist, and left ankle prevented me from doing more than I expected. Also, I wasn’t able to walk, bend over, or even sit for periods of time due to my ankle and lower back issues with degenerative disc disease. I missed hiking and being physically fit the most. After just 6 or 7 visits between Kevin and Aiko, I remember I was able to look at the ceiling again! You don’t realize how much you can’t see without looking up until you can’t. What I’m most thankful for is being able to walk again for a longer period of time and actually be able to bend down more than when I started. I love Synergy because I have no neck pain now, they are amazing. I’m hopeful to continue care and soon be able to enjoy a short hike again. I have told my doctor and all my friends about my experience here and will always recommend Synergy!” - Rex B. (February 2018) “After just 6 or 7 visits between Kevin and Aiko, I remember I was able to look at the ceiling again!”

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WEEKLY CLASSES AT SYNERGY HEALTHCARE

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This class integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intention. It is similar to Tai Chi, a practice many westerners are already familiar with. FELDENKRAIS TUESDAYS 12:15 - 1:15 PM These group classes are directed through a series of movements intended to “re-wire” the brain into more efficient patterns.

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Phone: (509) 413-1630 Fax: (509) 413-1673

12012 E Mission Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99206

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Synergy Healthcare can further assess your needs. Contact us today! synergyspokane.com

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All About Kids The Newsletter About Taking Care of the Ones That Matter Most RESOLVING TORTICOLLIS Have You Noticed a Slight Tilt In Your Baby’s Neck?

Torticollis, more commonly referred to as wry neck, is a rather common condition in which a newborn child experiences stiffness of the neck muscles as a result of their position in the womb.This results in the child leaving their head slightly tilted as the muscles form and the tension reduces to allow them to have proper neck functioning. While this is a common health problem that newborns experience, it is still concerning to see your child unable to move their neck to the full capacity, so treatment and therapy options are available to help your newborn overcome this problem. In most cases, torticollis resolves by three months. Understanding torticollis Everyone wakes up from time to time with a stiff neck. Sleeping awkwardly on your pillow or falling asleep in achair insteadof your bedmay leaveyour neck feeling tense and limit your range of motion. This is essentially the problem with infant torticollis. The difference being that as an adult, you know that you have the ability to move your neck and that the stiffness is a result of awkward positioning. For newborns, the stiffness in their neck is all they ever know, and so while they experience pain and discomfort from the stiffness, they are not starting to naturally move their neck in the same way that a child born without this condition would. This can be concerning for a parent, but it is important to recognize that there are therapeutic options to support infants who experience this problem, and the best way to help your child overcome the concern is to be proactive.

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SPECIALIZING IN : Sensory Integration/Processing • Listening Therapies • Gross Motor & Coordination Skills Development • Play Skills • Fine Motor/ Visual Motor Skill Development • Oral Motor/Oral Sensory Development • Speech/Articulation Development • Expressive-Receptive Language Therapy • Literacy & Cognitive Development • Social Language Skills

All About Kids The Newsletter About Taking Care of the Ones That Matter Most

RESOLVING TORTICOLLIS Have You Noticed a Slight Tilt In Your Baby’s Neck?

Infant torticollis is treated through a series of targeted exercises. Your pediatrician will talk to you about at-home strategies that you can use to encourage more neck movement to reduce stiffness and to help your child overcome the concern. It is not a good idea to try any activities that may encourage movement of the neck without first discussing the concern with your pediatrician, and under no circumstances should you try to force your child’s neck to move one way over another. Please call us today at (208) 666-0611 to schedule a consultation with you and your baby at Synergy Healthcare.

There is no explanation as to why some babies develop torticollis while others don’t. All babies grow in the womb, but some babies become cramped and develop this stiffness in their neck as a result. Other babies are able to develop without experiencing this problem. Torticollis is typically recognized by the neonatal staff in the hospital when the infant is born, but there are some cases in which you may notice the concern

gradually after returning home with your infant. Symptoms of torticollis include:

• Constant or almost constant tilting of the head in one direction • Demonstrated preference for looking in one direction over another • Difficulty breastfeeding on one side • Frustration and difficulty with turning in one direction instead of another If you notice one or more of these concerns, then it is a good idea to bring up the problem with your infant’s pediatrician. Your pediatrician can assess the issue and consider if there is a clear preference for

physical reasons or if other concerns may be at play. For example, some infants may prefer one breast over another as a result of a clogged milk duct, or perhaps your infant looks one way more often than another due to the positioning of your furniture and layout of your nursery.

http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ torticollis.html http://www.healthline.com/health/ torticollis

synergyidaho.com 6270N. GovernmentWay DaltonGardens, ID83815 (208) 666-0611

SPECIALIZING IN : Sensory Integration/Processing • Listening Therapies • Gross Motor & Coordination Skills Development • Play Skills • Fine Motor/ Visual Motor Skill Development • Oral Motor/Oral Sensory Development • Speech/Articulation Development • Expressive-Receptive Language Therapy • Literacy & Cognitive Development • Social Language Skills