Amazing new treatment speeds recovery of shoulder injuries
Whether you are a professional throwing athlete or a non-athlete, shoulder injuries are a real pain. We understand you want to get back to your sport or back to your life as quickly as possible. Some shoulder problems can take weeks or even months to resolve. Thanks to a breakthrough treatment protocol developed by Pneu-Back Institute, you can get back to your active lifestyle quicker than ever.
This new treatment protocol works for many types of shoulder problems: rotator cuff injury, shoulder impingement, frozen shoulder, arthritis, bursitis, capsulitis, sprains and strains. It is also highly recommended after many types of shoulder surgeries.
Q&A
Q: What issues will the Pneu-Back Shoulder Protocol treat?
The Pneu-Back Shoulder Protocol is designed to work on any shoulder problem that has a muscular or ligamentous origin. This includes but is not limited to:
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Rotator cuff injury
• Shoulder impingement/compression injury
• Frozen shoulder
• Arthritis
• Capsulitis
• Bursitis
• Sprains
Q: Why is the Pneu-Back Shoulder Protocol better than regular physical therapy?
“Regular physical therapy” can vary quite a bit depending on the knowledge and skill of the therapist. The best therapists are manual therapists who also understand therapeutic movement. Some therapists have an over-reliance on passive modalities, like Ultra Sound and Electric Muscle Stimulation. These passive modalities play a role in therapy because they can help reduce pain, but the effect is temporary. The best way to speed permanent healing is with manual therapy to release muscles and therapeutic movement to help the patient become active again.
Physical therapists who are also manual therapists will do much of what the Pneu-back Shoulder Protocol does, including the mild traction/pull on the shoulder and the muscle release work. However, because the therapist only has two hands, it is very difficult to sustain equal traction/pulling force throughout a small range of motion while doing muscle release work. The very specialized Pneu-Back equipment allows for superior and unequalled work because it provides a constant, stable, steady force and frees the therapist’s hands to do the muscle release work.
Q: How does it work?
The Pneu-Back Shoulder Protocol actually consists of many components carefully integrated together. It includes a mild vibration component that stimulates blood flow, increases venous return and promotes lymphatic drainage. This helps to reduce any swelling and inflammation while flushing muscles and tissues with fresh, nutrient carrying blood.
A light traction (pulling) component is used to reduce joint load and impaction (which is the force felt when joints are pushed together) of the shoulder joint. We know that by reducing this loading force and lightly gapping the joint, pressure is released and blood flow increased into the shoulder joint. From here, the shoulder is brought through a gentle and natural sweeping range of motion. By doing this, we are able to actively engage tissue stretching and ensure that not just one area is affected, but that the entire shoulder benefits from the work done.
The final component is an active trigger point release on the muscles of the entire shoulder girdle, the neck and upper back. Again, by targeting the muscles, we are able to specifically release muscle tension and reduce spasms. When these components are used together, they compliment tissue healing, pain relief and increased range of motion and unlike many traditional techniques it does so actively, as the shoulder is moving, so that no areas are left unaddressed.
Q: Will it hurt?
This treatment is always done according to what the patient feels. As your muscles heal, we increase the amount of work we can do. Pain is not an expected side effect of this work. In fact, everything is designed to unload the joint which should actually make it pain-free.
Mild discomfort may be felt as the trigger point/muscle work is done, however the discomfort is temporary and only lasts while the muscle work is being done. No lingering pain or discomfort should be felt following the treatment.
Q: Is this treatment good for arthritis and frozen shoulder?
The Pneu-back Shoulder Protocol is a very effective technique of releasing muscle tension while gently stretching the shoulder capsule throughout a portion of its range of motion. It also increases blood flow, promotes venous return and movement of lymphatic fluid. All this helps to reduce inflammation and by doing so, much of the pain, stiffness, loss of range of motion and discomfort from conditions such as arthritis and frozen shoulder are reduced.
Q: As an athlete, will this program help me throw sooner than regular physical therapy?
We believe the answer is Yes. By engaging muscles and ligaments throughout the natural range of motion of the shoulder, we can more effectively and quickly reduce the pain and increase the range of motion which will get you back to your athletic activities more quickly.
Q: Is this treatment good for shoulder instabilities?
Shoulder instabilities can be worked on with this protocol to reduce inflammation and scar tissue. Precaution should be used to ONLY use the MINIMUM amount of traction force needed such that the patient feels traction at the shoulder but no pain. With instabilities, it is NECESSARY that the patient follow-up the Pneu-Back shoulder protocol with a shoulder- complex strengthening program.
Q: How many weeks does the treatment take?
An average treatment time in clinic is about 60-90 minutes and the recommended treatment protocol is about 10-12 visits. However, this will depend on the needs and severity of the patient’s problems as determined by the therapist and can be 18 visits or more. Three visits a week is recommended.
Q: Are there any precautions or contraindications to the Pneu-Back Shoulder Protocol?
The Pneu-Back Shoulder Protocol is effective and safe for the majority of patients. The standard precautions apply for patients regarding vibration as would be indicated with the Vibrotrac table. Specific precautions for the shoulder protocol include:
1) Recent surgeries that are still in the tissue healing phase
2) Acute shoulder separations (i.e. AC separation, etc)
3) Acute tears of muscles or tendons in the Glenohumeral joint, like SLAP tears and Bankart Tears
4) Caution with regards to patients who have had joint replacements and/or surgical implants
5) Acute shoulder dislocations
