By Nick Rinard Physical Therapy
14 Mar, 2014
Clinical Case of the Week
ankle pain, clinical presentation, Nick Rinard, Nick Rinard physical therapy, pain-free, Physical Therapy, Portland Oregon, relationship, results, Spine, treatment
By MiKayla Sanocki, SPT
Did you know a back problem can cause symptoms such as pain, decreased strength and decreased sensations into the thigh, calf, ankle or foot? Physical therapists trained in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) here at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy can determine during the evaluation if any of these lower leg symptoms are coming from your back.
Check out this bizarre clinical presentation we treated at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy:
She did not remember any trauma to the ankle
The patient came to physical therapy for an “ankle sprain” that occurred 3-months earlier. She stated she woke up unable to put any weight on her right foot. The pain had remained constant in her ankle, so bad at times that she couldn’t walk! Upon further questioning, the patient revealed what she had been doing the day before: She had driven 2 hours, on her way home from helping clean a house. During the drive she had discomfort in her buttock and hamstring that made her want to pull the car over to stretch. She did not remember any trauma to the ankle, however, but the ankle pain was the only pain she was experiencing now.
Her ankle pain has caused her to quit running and yoga — two of her favorite activities.
Mechanical Evaluation finds cause in spine
During the mechanical evaluation we found that certain directions of low back movements decreased the pain in her ankle. After being sent home with 1 simple exercise to perform every waking hour – which she did perfectly – she returned within 24 hours reporting 90% recovery in pain! Over the next week we were able to progress her exercises and now the patient reports no ankle pain at all. In only 4 visits we were able to abolish her ankle pain, and she is now getting back to running and yoga!
The patient reports, “I now have the tools to prevent the return of my back and ankle pain”.
Treatment at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy vs Traditional PT
In contrast to MDT, traditional PT would not have uncovered the spinal cause of the patient’s ankle pain. Treatment would have been ineffective since it would have focused only on trying to treat the symptom.
Do you know if your pain in the legs or arms could be coming from the spine? Come see us at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy and find out!
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By Nick Rinard Physical Therapy
14 Feb, 2014
Physical Therapy Tips, Posture, RinardPT Newsletters
chocolate, devoted, injured, Nick Rinard physical therapy, recipe, suffering, Teaching, Valentines Day
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RinardPT Monthly
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Nick Rinard Physical Therapy
9700 SW Capitol Hwy Suite 140
Portland, OR 97219
Volume 6, Issue 1
February 2014
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Teaching YOU how to Get RESULTS
since 1999
Dear Friends,
It’s been 15 years since Nick Rinard devoted a physical therapy clinic to practicing Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy. In that time, we have helped so many of you get back to a pain-free life. We’ve received pictures of our patients doing their exercises in all corners of the world, and are so proud of being part of your journey. THANK YOU for giving us all at MDT Physical Therapy the pleasure of teaching you how to get RESULTS!
Are you currently suffering from pain or injury?
Call 503-244-6232 today!
RinardPT patients get Results:
Don’t take our word for it
“I have been cutting hair for 46 years, and I have been experiencing pain in my right shoulder for at least 3 years. The pain has been getting worse and limiting movement & my ability to cut hair. 2 weeks ago the pain diminished to the point I could forget about it. I believe this was due to a new set of exercises designed by Megan and am very pleased with my progress. ”
-Curtis 01/21/2014 |
“Initially my pain level in my right let was a 10. On my very first visit the pain subsided significantly-to the point that I believed there was some magic happening! I would never imagined that 2 simple exercises would bring me to a pain level of zero. The ongoing preventative exercises are part of my daily routine & will continue to be. I truly appreciate all of the staff. They are professional & serious about bringing their patients to a pain-free outcome. Thank you.”-Debbie 01/09/2014 |
FREE CONSULTATION COUPON
MENTION THIS COUPON AND SCHEDULE YOUR
FREE SCREEN TODAY
(503) 244-6232
In just 5-10 minutes, MDT can determine if your pain is mechanical or not. If so, we can help get you out of pain and back to enjoying your life.
Sweet (and Healthy) Chocolates for your Valentine…Or Yourself!
Just use your favorite Valentine-shaped cookie cutters to make these treats!
- 1 1/2 cup walnuts
- 8 Medjool dates (these are softer than other dates, and easier to blend)
- 1/2 cup cocoa (use less if you don’t love dark chocolate)
Blend walnuts in a high powered blender or food processor until a powder. Pit the dates, then add walnut powder to a bowl and the pitted dates. Using your hands mix the two ingredients together until the dates are completely incorporated. Add the cocoa. Shape into a mold. Top with dried fruit, coconut, granola, or peanut butter!
Enjoy!
Want more fun and healthy recipes? See more here: http://www.superhealthykids.com/
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Medical Advisory: MDT is a Superior Form of Physical Therapy
This is page 2, continued from <<Choose your Physical Therapist Wisely
If you sustained your injuries in a motor vehicle accident, or work-related injury, then your chances of getting better are improved if you choose an MDT therapist. There is a financial advantage also since the total cost of your therapy will be less, based on the fewer number of visits MDT uses. Your PIP money will go further, and you will not have to sacrifice a large amount of money out of your settlement just to pay high physical therapy bills. If you are a worker, your case will be less likely to be denied if you are getting better faster, than if your recovery drags on. Believe me, insurance adjusters are less likely to keep your case open if you are not improving in physical therapy.
So you can see that MDT is a superior form of physical therapy. What about MDT compared to Chiropractic care? I tell my patients that Chiropractic treatment is indeed mechanical, but there are two distinct reasons it is not superior to MDT. The first reason has to do with the evaluation, and the second reason has to do with the treatment. A chiropractor first must take an X-ray to make the diagnosis. Unfortunately, there is little evidence to suggest a chiropractic diagnosis is reliable, and therefore, treatment based on an unreliable diagnosis is a guess at best. Secondly, chiropractic treatment is performed to the patient, not by the patient. Any improvement in the patient’s condition, therefore, is dependent on them going back for more visits! As mentioned, MDT treatments consist primarily of exercises that the patient performs so you can treat yourself when not in the clinic. This obviously results in less pain, a speedier recovery, less visits, and money saved!
By reading this essay, you are now equipped with knowledge to seek out the best care possible for your injuries. Don’t waste time going to traditional physical therapy, or chiropractic for many visits. It is better to get an MDT evaluation to determine if your condition will respond mechanically or not, and if it is mechanical, then the treatment is more effective and takes less time!
In closing, I would like to mention how MDT compared to traditional physical therapy in an objective study conducted by a third party. The average improvement in traditional physical was only 78 percent, and it took an average of 11 visits to achieve this. By contrast, MDT got patients 93 percent better in only 6.5 visits! The data speak for themselves. Don’t settle for less effective treatment for your injury – find a Cert MDT therapist who is using the MDT method properly, and get better faster!
Nick Rinard is president of, and a therapist at, Nick Rinard Physical Therapy, a private physical therapy clinic.
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