Health and Fitness : Advances in Therapy Services

Have you seen the black tape athletes wear for injuries or have you heard of ASTYM? Healthcare continues to advance with changes to technology, medical tests, medications, equipment, and treatment approaches. Advances in therapeutic interventions are also on the move.

To stay up to date on therapy advances, Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics sent Stacey Hodges OT and Director of Rehabilitation Services to become certified in Kinesiotaping (black tape) and Sarah Eikenberry MPT to become certified in ASTYM.

Kinesiotaping is a “definitive rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion as well as providing extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within the clinical setting,” reports Kineso™.

When applied correctly to a muscle, injured joint, swelling, bruising, or painful area Kinesiotape can assist with treating the injured patient. To become certified in this taping technique, VGH therapists attended 3 continuing education classes and completed an exam.

Stacey said, “I have utilized this tape to treat a ‘throwers arm’, Lymphedema, joint pain, muscle tightness, and other various injuries and with all of them the patient improved quicker and had less pain.” Incorrectly applied taping can make a patient hurt worse so it is advised only trained therapists apply the Kinesiotape.

Another technique used for soft tissue treatment is ASTYM. This treatment utilizes specialized tools to run over the injured area to decrease the fibrosis and ultimately allow the injured area to heal with stronger tissue. Sarah attended a comprehensive continuing education class to become certified in this technique. She has utilized the tools to treat orthopedic injuries such as sprains, strains, and over used injuries such as tendonitis. This tool, for post-operative patients, helps improve joint range of motion.

A recent client, Lynette Muschaweck was able to experience both techniques to aide in her recovery from her injury. Here is her story:

“I’m Lynette Muschaweck and this is my story. On October 8th, 2012, I was involved in a car accident, which resulted in ulnar collateral ligament damage to my right elbow. This is also known as Tommy John’s Injury or pitcher’s elbow. After several doctor appoints, they started me in therapy on 10/08/2012. I elected to go to Vinton Hospital for my Occupational Therapy and glad I did.

They do an excellent job and I would recommend them for all your therapy needs. I especially liked the taping and scraping “ASTYM” they do to help eliminate bruising, swelling, and speed tissue healing. My work comp doctor and specialist for orthopedics have never heard of these techniques, but after seeing my results, they were trying these practices themselves on other patients. I really enjoyed the scraping “ASTYM”, the best. It helped loosen tight muscles/ligaments. The first time Sarah did this it felt like rumble strips on a highway when coming up to a stop sign (and it felt good too!) My elbow is getting better and stronger, thanks to the gals and guys at Vinton Rehab Department.”

If you think Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinic’s Therapy may be right for you contact your healthcare provider. Click here to learn more about VGH Therapy services.