New England Physical Care Soft Tissue Injury

 Specialty Practice Opens in Norwalk

Local Chiropractic Practice to Specialize in Graston® and Active Release Techniques®
An innovative and effective approach to treating muscular or joint-related discomfort, scar tissue and related chronic pain, the instrument-assisted Graston® and Active Release Techniques® soft tissue therapies are now available in the Norwalk and Newtown areas with the establishment of New England Physical Care, headed by Brian Nathanson, DC.

A Personal Experience leads to an Unexpected Path.

A Doctor of Chiropractic medicine, Dr. Nathanson entered the field as a direct result of the of his daughter’s remarkably successful treatment at the San Diego clinic of world renowned osteopath Dr. Viola Frymann.

“My daughter began having seizures at the age of two”, said Dr. Nathanson, “And traditional medical measures seemed to treat only the symptoms, not the underlying cause of the ailment.  Although the occurrences had begun to abate after several years of drug-based treatments, my daughter had basically turned into a zombie.  It broke my heart to think that she was destined to live the rest of her life in that state.”

The quest to find a lifelong cure led Dr. Nathanson to the Osteopathic Center for Children and Families.

“She was remarkable,” said Dr. Nathanson.  “It wasn’t long into the initial regimen of osteopathic treatments that Dr. Frymann was able to begin weaning her off all of the heavy pharmaceuticals.  I got my daughter back.  It was incredibly successful, and really sparked my interest in alternative approaches to treatment.  Eventually, I decided to pursue a career in chiropractic medicine, (during the course of which I actually became one of Dr. Fymann’s assistants – talk about coming full-circle!) with a special emphasis on manipulative techniques that address the underlying issues.  My approach is always to treat until the ailment is remediated to the greatest degree possible, period.  I’m not looking to create that ‘revolving door’ approach which has given the field somewhat of a bad name at times. ”

“If it Moves, We Can Make it Move Better.”

A Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Acupuncturist, Dr. Nathanson makes use of his expertise in manual therapies to treat an unusually wide range of ailments.  “We see all kinds of people here – it’s not just injuries.  Because we can reduce tightness in muscles and joints, we get a lot of performance junkies in here “ he says with a smile.  “Golfers, tennis players – you name it.  You’d be surprised how many people can take a few strokes off of their golf game because they suddenly have more mobility and can swing easier.”

Dr. Nathanson says that people also come to him for stress reduction, TMJ, carpal tunnel syndrome, knees, hips, sciatica, tennis elbow, lower back and shoulder issues – “….basically anywhere there’s muscular or joint-related pain or scar tissue – which is where the Graston® and Active Release Techniques® really come into play.  I often tell people that if it moves, we can make it move better.”

Graston® and Active Release Techniques®
           
A cornerstone of Dr. Nathanson’s practice, both Graston® and Active Release Technique® therapies are recognized, state-of-the-art soft tissue therapies utilized by Chiropractors, physical therapists, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine and Medical Doctors. These techniques address not only the joint itself, but more importantly the condition of the supporting muscles and surrounding tissue.  When pain occurs in muscles or other soft tissues as a result of either trauma or overuse, dense fibrotic scar tissue is produced in the area of injury.  Over time, this scar tissue accumulates, resulting in tightness, restricted movement and, in some cases, reduced blood and nutrient flow and hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) in and around the affected area.  While both techniques aim to eradicate these micro-lesions and restore function to the affected area, thus enabling for a resumption of blood, nutrient and oxygen flow, they do so in different ways.

The Graston® method is an instrument-assisted approach utilizing a specialized set of machined tools to help identify and then treat the affected area.  Through a series of gentle cross-fiber massage treatments, adhesions, restrictions and scar tissue are eventually eradicated, and free movement restored.  The instruments are only available to trained and accredited clinicians.
 
While aiming at a similar resolution of pain and restricted movement,  The Active Release Technique® achieves these ends not through instrument use, but instead by incorporating a specialized, movement-based evaluation and manual treatment protocol consisting of over 500 specific movements.

Dr. Nathanson is fully accredited in these and other approaches.  Following a consultation, examination and assessment of a patient’s relative medical history, Dr. Nathanson determines the best course of treatment on an individual basis. He looks forward to providing the benefits of these innovative techniques to clients in southeastern Connecticut and beyond.