Back and Neck Pain

Most patients have significant or complete resolution of symptoms

The ALT-MED program is a combination of traditional and nontraditional medical concepts utilizing:

• Individualized physical therapy done by a physical therapist
• Program is based on adapted, martial art exercises
• Massage, stimulating and accelerating the body's own natural healing process
• Acupuncture to reduce inflammation, muscle spasm and accelerate healing
• Nutrition recommendations
• Stress reduction therapies
• Rx pain medications
• Herb and dietary supplements recommendations
• Appropriate medical referrals when necessary

This specific approach is successful and patients have come from all over the country to ALT-MED, some even from Canada, Brazil and Israel. These patients usually stay in a local hotel and are treated for 3-4 days. Then they do the movements at home and get updated movements either by phone or the internet.

What Is Causing The Pain?

Pain is the result of specific nerve fibers sending signals to the brain that are interpreted as pain. These pain fibers are located throughout the body, but are especially prominent in the neck and back area. The pain fibers are activated by specific chemicals, resulting in inflammation. Inflammation is the key mechanism for pain. There is limited evidence that back pain is commonly related to the bones, discs or even subluxations. Most back and neck pain syndromes are related to injury of the soft tissues, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves. This can result in inflammation and the associated pain.

Although inflammation is part of the healing process, sometimes the body cannot completely repair the damage. Then inflammation becomes chronic and the pain persists. Surprisingly, pressure on a nerve, like from a herniated disc, does not cause pain. It causes numbness or tingling. Therefore, pain, often is not directly related to pressure on the nerves. Pressure, caused by muscle spasm or tightness, can reduce circulation. Reduced circulation may promote a build-up of toxins. Toxins promote inflammation and inflammation leads to pain. Therefore, pain reduction and healing must begin with an increase in circulation.

The ALT-MED approach initially focuses on the reduction of inflammation by stimulating circulation. Circulation is stimulated by physical movement and massage. Acupuncture can also help to reduce inflammation. Once the inflammation has decreased, then the body is ready for an increased range of motion. After the comfortable range of motion is increased, the body is ready for strength movements. Once the program is completed, circulation, flexibility and strength are improved. The body is better able to protect itself form future injury, even with increased activities.

How Is This Different From Other Physical Therapy Approaches? 

• Personal, true one-on-one therapy.  Our physical therapist has only one patient at a time...YOU.
• Patients are not just put on a machine and left...they are instructed and encouraged throughout the entire program.
• Although we have a step-wise approach, pain reduction is not sacrificed for increased range of motion. Range of motion is not sacrificed for increased strength.  Most physical therapy programs focus on strength too early.  Flexibility can be lost.
• Equipment is simpler…often what can be found in many homes.
• Patients are active participants in their own care and have a significant input into their therapy.
• The movements and exercises are tailored to the patient. In addition, body type, age and nutritional status are important in the design of the program.
• The program is fun and enjoyable…the concept of “no pain-no gain” is wrong.
• We also recognize that patients have lives and so, the majority of the therapy is done by them, at home. This promotes self reliance and self healing as well as being very convenient.

The ALT-MED Program works very well, even with patients with chronic pain. The majority of ALT-MED patients are able to achieve complete resolution of pain…and that resolution is lasting. Most importantly, at the end of the program, patients have the understanding how to heal themselves if the pain recurs. This promotes a feeling of self confidence and independence…allowing patients to recapture that part of their lives lost to chronic pain.

How Do I Begin?

At the initial office visit with Dr. Massey, a program is created that takes into account the diagnosis, your short-term goals and long term goals, your physical abilities, your level daily stress and nutritional state. Specific recommendations for stress reduction and optimizing nutritional status may also be addressed. The physical therapy portion of the program is then initiated in the subsequent visits. In addition, massage, and/or acupuncture is often recommended to accelerate the healing process.

Once you start the therapy, you are evaluated by a licensed physical therapist and specific movements are chosen for you. These movements are then tailored specifically for you. You learn these movements through one-on-one training with the physical therapist. They are then written down and you are to practice them every day, usually for 20-30 minutes.

Therapies:

Physical therapy usually lasts 30-45 minutes, 1-2x week.

Massage therapy may be 30-60 minutes, 1-2x week.

Acupuncture may be 45-60 minutes, 1-2x/week.

Not everyone requires all of the therapies offered by ALT-MED. Some may only need physical therapy or massage. Others may benefit from the addition of acupuncture or stress-reduction techniques. Patients have the responsibility to do their exercises at home 4-6x per week. Regular, follow-up evaluations with the ALT-MED physician ensures the fastest resolution of symptoms.