Divergent OT presents:
Advanced Muscle Reconditioning
Advanced
Muscle
Reconditioning
Specializing in natural pain relief through interactive manual therapy. AMR is a better
way to treat muscle pain and is a new way to look at what is actually causing us pain.
What is advanced muscle reconditioning or AMR? Developed by Dr. Brian Bronk, the premise of AMR is that much of the pain that is thought to be from pinched nerves, arthritis, old age or disc problem is actually coming from the muscles.
Advanced muscle reconditioning is a type of manual therapy that uses two types of strokes to increase circulation in a particular area of the muscle to release the muscle fibers that are stuck together.
Muscles are not usually thought of as a source of pain because there might not be any spasms or the pain might feel like it is coming from the nerve. Abnormalities might be found in X-rays or MRIs, so doctors might think this is where the pain is radiating from.
Muscles can tweak anytime and for any reason: overuse, imbalance, weakness, injury or simply old age. We can sometimes feel when they tweak and sometimes not. Muscles are comprised of singular muscle fibers that then become bundles and then those bundles come together to form the muscle belly. Muscles have a coating over them or sheath that helps fibers slide across each other. What happens is, when muscles don't work, these fibers become stuck or clumped, like cold spaghetti noodles. When this happens, the muscles around that area can react and go into an underlying spasm.
AMR targets this area directly by using specific strokes that increase blood flow to that area to “unstick” these muscle fibers. These muscles need to be in a state of relaxation for the fibers to be separated, that is why it's very important for the client to be involved in this process. We do not want the client to be “cringing” when anticipating pressure to that area.
What to Expect:
Advanced muscle reconditioning is a very interactive therapy session where the client, you, will direct the practitioner to the area of the body that is causing discomfort or pain as well as instructing how much pressure that can be applied. Advanced muscle reconditioning is different than a massage. We want the muscles of that area or the area we are working on to be relaxed because that is going to help the muscle fibers to separate. We do not want you to “TAKE IT” or be brave and breathe through the pain. You are our guide. You will be the one directing us where to work and how much pressure to apply.
The types of strokes that we use during AMR, one is called the leaf raking stroke and I call the other one the push broom stroke. Because we are working in a particular area and are applying some pressure to that area, you may be sore for a few days and possibly might even bruise. It is best that we work directly on the skin with lotion but can work over loose-fitting clothing that is thin material.
Everyone's situation is different. Most people will notice some improvement after the first session. Some conditions that have been chronic may take multiple sessions to see effective results. Think of the session like you are peeling an onion, taking one layer off at a time. When you resume your activities, the muscle(s) may be easy to aggravate. You have not put yourself back to square one. The core issue is still causing the problem. Progress might not be a straight line, but you should feel better longer and be able to move more easily and/or with less discomfort.
AMR:
Suzy Molesky- OTL