Physician Services:
- Physiatric Consults
- Nutritional Consults
- Trigger Point Injections
- Medical Wave EPAT Therapy
- Medical Softwave ESWT Therapy
- Photobiomodulation PBM Treatment
What is Physiatry
Physiatry, also known as physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), originated more than 100 years ago in response to the need to treat wounded soldiers in World War I. AFter soldiers had received acute care for their various injuries some of the physicians saw the need for restorative rehabilitation with the focus on optimizing physical function, mobility, and overall quality of life.
The basic principles of PHYSIATRY include a whole body, integrated, operational analysis of the patient's condition, identification of the root causes of their symptoms, and comprehensive recommendations directed specifically at the underlying root causes.
Dr. Trowbridge addresses all types of neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions with an integration of interventions that can include physical and occupational therapies, independent exercise and nutritional programs, assistive technologies such as Photobiomodulation (PBM) and SoftWave Therapy (SWT), and pain management strategies.
What is PBM?
PhotoBioModulation (PBM Therapy) previously known as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a laser or LED Red light therapy that improves tissue repair (skin wounds, muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, nerves), reduces inflammation and reduces pain wherever the beam is applied. Usually applied by a doctor or therapist, treatments typically take 10-20 minutes and should be applied two or more times a week. PBM works predominately on a protein in mitochondria (the ‘POWERHOUSE’ of the cell) to increase ATP and reduce oxidative stress. A cascade of mitochondrial and intracellular downstream effects lead to improved tissue repair and reduced inflammation. A minimum of three treatments is needed in most cases to determine its effectiveness, although it can have an almost immediate effect, or require eight or more treatment sessions to achieve significant improvement. It will not cause any discomfort and has almost no contraindications.
What are trigger point injections or "needling"?
Trigger point injection or needling is a technique used to release or inactivate trigger points which are the most common cause of chronic pain in America. Discreet, localized tender nodules and taut bands of muscle fiber can be felt in the muscles of individuals with Myofascial Pain. They can produce pain locally and are also responsible for radiating or referred discomfort. ‘Needling’ the nodule is intended to deactivate the trigger point mechanism through a mechanical process at the neuromuscular junction or motor end plate. If done correctly, it is generally highly effective, reducing or relieving the pain and other symptoms, as well as increasing range of motion and restoring strength in the muscle(s) treated. It can be both therapeutic, and also diagnostic since it does not numb or block nerves, but rather impacts the root cause of the discomfort…the Myofascial Trigger Points. Although there is no consistent evidence to show that injecting any substance is superior to dry needling, I will most often use an analgesic medication in order to reduce post injection soreness (which is generally greater following the dry needling technique). Regardless of the location Myofascial Trigger Points can be responsible for any localized pain, but also by referral they can commonly cause headaches and other discomfort in the head, pain along the spine, and pain, numbness and tingling into the arms, hands, legs, and feet. (It is generally covered by most insurance companies)