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Healing of strain-sprain type injuries goes through three distinct processes. Each requires special tools to maximize the return to normal functioning. The first is termed the reaction phase and usually lasts up to 7 days. This is where there is the most pain and swelling. Treatment must reduce the swelling and pain and prevent further damage while the body begins to clean up and remove damaged tissue. Important issues here are diet, activation of lymphatic drainage and control of inflammatory processes. The second stage is called the regeneration phase and can start as early as two days after the injury and take up to 8 plus weeks. In this stage, the body rebuilds the damaged tissues. This is done through creation of a matrix of collagen. During this stage, treatment is aimed at making strong bonds and increasing normal actions in the joints. Special procedures can be used here to speed the rebuilding, start to reestablish lost strength and increase the range of motion and control of muscle function. The final stage of healing is the remodeling phase. During this phase, muscles must fully regain their lost strength. Other important aspects are the coordination of muscular actions as well as reestablishing a full range of motion. Depending on the severity of injury, this phase starts as early as the 14th day and can take over a year. During this phase, therapies are used that are aimed at normalizing proprioception imbalances in the muscles and joint structures. A special use of muscle testing, used at this time, is to determine exactly how much you should exercise a muscle so that you are reinjuring yourself. One of the great advantages in using applied kinesiology is the ability to affect performance. Examples of this range from increasing the breathing capacity in endurance athletes, to increasing the accuracy of those sports requiring eye-hand or eye-foot coordination. George Goodheart, founder of applied kinesiology, was the first chiropractor named to the United States Olympic Medical Team in 1980. Since then, many other doctors in countries around the world have helped athletes in the Olympics. Doctors using applied kinesiology have been and continue to be important assets to professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey and soccer teams. Through the skills learned in courses on applied kinesiology, these doctors are able to tailor a treatment program to speed recovery and maximize performance. |
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