PAIN RELIEF MODALITIES

from the library of Robert L. Talley, DDS.

IONTOPHORESIS:

Iontophoresis offers a means to help control pain and inflammation in symptomatic patients. Ions in solution are passed through the intact skin by passage of DC electrical current between two electrodes. Negative ions are carried through the skin at the negative electrode (anode) and positive ions are transmitted at the positive electrode (cathode). This treatment is for capsular tightness, acute muscle disorders, synovitis, inflammatory arthritis.

STRESS MACHINE:

The stress machine uses continuous, passive motion to help restore cervical mobility and comfort. It gently stretches and massages the cervical muscles. Its goal is to stretch and lengthen contracted muscles, loosen joints and increase circulation. It is used for a tender, painful, tense cervical spine and to help increase range of motion.

SPRAY AND STRETCH:

The use of fluori-methane (vapocoolant) spray to act as a counter-irritant in the treatment of myofascial pain caused by trigger points or muscle spasms. When the spray hits the skin, it gives touch-cold sensation which breaks the pain cycle and permits a comfortable stretch of the muscle and blocks pain impulses.

ALPHA STIM 350:

The Alpha Stim 350 is an electronic stimulation device that induces a comfortable condition called Alpha relaxation. Alpha relaxation affects the part of the brain stem which controls the wake/sleep cycle. Therefore, it induces the Alpha state, a condition of being more relaxed and more aware. One treatment generally lasts 12-24 hours. Alpha relaxation helps the musculo-skeletal system to return to normal faster than it could without it.

TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION:

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a valuable tool in treating both the symptoms and the primary neuromuscular pathology seen in myofascial syndrome in all patients with this disease and, more especially, those women in child bearing age.

The neurophysiologic roles are two: (1) Modification or elimination of pain associated with myofascial disease through the modulation of spinal cord gating mechanisms and increase in cerebral spinal fluid levels of beta endorphins. Peripherally, electrical nerve stimulation functions as an effective blocking agent through the unique quality of the network of both antidromic and orthdromic conduction. (2) TENS addresses the primary pathophysiology of myofascitis through sympathetic neurostimulation increasing the blood flow.

COMFORTRON:

The comfortron is used for the relief of muscle spasms associated with craniomandibular and orofacial pain and for muscle reeducation. Comfortron uses electrical pulsing to calm down and treat muscle activity. It helps increase circulation and reduces inflammation, along with treating the trigger point area itself. It is used for hypertrophy of muscles, decreases inflammation and increase circulation of trigger point.

MOIST HEAT and COLD THERAPY:

Moist heat therapy is used to help relieve chronic muscle pain and to prepare for other procedures. It increases blood flow to reduce inflammation and to remove built-up waste products.

Cold therapy is used for cooling body tissues which causes a decrease in metabolism and a decrease in nerve conduction velocity. It also causes an immediate constriction of the superficial vessels which leads to a decrease in bleeding and in the inflammatory response. This diverts the blood to deeper vessels, thereby, increasing the blood supply to the underlying tissues.