The Treatment Process

Below is an outline of your treatment pathway, with a brief explanation of each step. Each stage naturally leads to the next, building on the one before it.

Step 1: Neurology

Muscles and joints don’t operate independently—they don’t decide on their own to become tight, weak, or cause pain and instability. Their actions are governed by the nervous system.

If a muscle is being signalled to hold tension and remain tight, massage and stretching may provide temporary relief. However, without addressing the signal from the brain or spine, the tightness will likely return.

Similarly, if the brain isn’t receiving the correct information from the muscles and joints, it won’t send the right signals back, leading to inhibited (weakened) muscle action or tightening (hypertonic) states.

Both scenarios can result in pain, spasms, restricted movement, increased wear and tear, or weakness.

The first step in any treatment is to ensure proper communication between the brain, muscles, and joints. Without correcting this, treatments like manipulation, massage, or corrective exercises will only manage the symptoms, not the root cause. This can lead to recurring injuries or long-term issues. For us, proper neurological communication is key, making Neurology the foundation of our treatment process.

Step 2: Massage & Therapeutic Tools

Once nervous system communication is restored, massage becomes highly effective. Many muscles, held in a tight or hypertonic state for weeks, months, or even years, develop certain issues, such as:

Trigger points: Tight, painful spots.
Metabolic problems: Constant contraction reduces blood flow, limiting oxygen and nutrients while increasing waste buildup.
Fascial adhesions: The connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds muscles can become “stuck” or folded.

Massage or manual pressure can address these residual problems. This can be done through hands-on techniques or using therapeutic tools like foam rollers or trigger point balls. Once communication is normalized through our neurology approach, we may incorporate massage or teach you how to use these tools to further improve muscle function.

Step 3: Biomechanics & Functional Movement

While we may have normalized nervous system communication and improved muscle function through massage, this doesn’t mean you won’t need to do exercises.

Chronic pain can reduce coordination, strength, and flexibility over time. To stay pain-free, strong, mobile, and injury-resistant, certain exercises may be required.

If exercises are recommended, I’ll clearly explain them and record a video on your phone to ensure you understand how, when, and how often to perform them.

In some cases, we might suggest working with a fitness professional to enhance strength, coordination, flexibility, or range of motion, helping you return to normal life.

Step 4: Nutrition

Imagine building a house with every third brick missing—would it be sturdy and reliable, or prone to issues?

Sometimes, people’s diets are too restrictive, leading to mild, ongoing nutrient deficiencies. Or, repetitive food choices may cause inflammation. Both scenarios could either contribute to your problem or hinder your healing.

If nutrition seems to play a role in your condition, I’ll ask if you’d like to explore nutritional changes to improve your overall health and treatment outcomes.