Assessment + 1st Session
Assessment Date: May 16, 2024
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Client Name: Denise
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Summary: Denise is a 70-year-old client who has not engaged in vigorous activity for at least 5 years. She has a history of multiple whiplashes and concussions, as well as three C-sections. Denise has experienced intermittent lumbar pain, decreased movement in her right hip, and some pain in her right shoulder. Additionally, she has had issues in both knees, including surgeries and meniscus/ACL problems.
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When asked to prioritize the severity of her current physical pain and discomfort:
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Lower back pain
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Right shoulder pain
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Right knee pain (with swelling depending on activity, making kneeling and bending over difficult)
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Client Goals:
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Increase the ease of daily activities, particularly walking.
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Be able to exercise more effectively.
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Improve overall mobility.
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Gain better muscle strength through sessions.
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Plan:
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Take Denise through the Muscle Activation Techniques Full Body RX STIM program, focusing on increasing contractile capabilities in the shortened position of motion. This includes adding physical stressors to see if the body can tolerate them, training the muscular and nervous system to increase their ability to contract muscles in end ranges, and increasing the amount of force in those positions. The goal is to ensure the body can tolerate these stressors, thereby increasing the ability to move through greater ranges, tolerate more forces, and produce more forces in those positions.
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Session Details:
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Date: May 30, 2024
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Focus Areas: Spinal rotation and spinal flexion
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Actions Taken: Tested and treated the muscles responsible for both spinal rotation and spinal flexion.
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How These Motions Help:
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Spinal Rotation and Flexion: By working on spinal rotation and flexion, we aim to improve Denise's core stability and mobility, which can help alleviate her lower back pain. Improved spinal mobility can also support better posture and reduce strain on the shoulders and hips, addressing the discomfort she experiences in these areas. Enhanced spinal function will also contribute to her overall goal of increasing ease in daily activities and mobility, making walking and exercising more comfortable and effective.
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Reminder on Muscle Activation Techniques:
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How It Works: Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) focus on improving the contractile capabilities of muscles through specific movements and exercises. By enhancing muscle function, MAT helps to restore balance, increase stability, and improve overall movement efficiency.
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Benefits: Improving muscle contractile capabilities through greater ranges of motion supports the body by increasing its ability to handle physical stressors, reducing pain, and enhancing strength. This process helps the body to heal more effectively, build resilience, and achieve better performance in daily activities and exercises.
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Exercises Prescribed (Videos and Instructions below):​
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Seated Trunk Rotation Isometric
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Supine Lower Trunk Rotation Isometric
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Supine Single Leg Posterior Pelvic Tilt Isometric
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Follow-Up Actions:
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Monitor pain levels and range of motion in the back, right hip and shoulder.
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Continue with prescribed exercises and note any changes or discomfort.
Denise
Trunk Rotation Isometric
Supine Lower Trunk Rotation Isometric
Supine Single Leg Posterior Pelvic Tilt
Supine Hip Flexion Isometric
Supine Sidebend Wall Isometric
Supine Hip External Rotation Wall Isometric
Contraction Stretching Exercises (Light Isometrics)
Contraction stretching is the term we will use for creating and holding light muscular contractions in specific positions. This can be used as a warm up to a workout, recovery from a workout, and mobility work on its own.
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For each exercise follow the framework below:​
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Positioning: Follow along with the video for each exercise to get familiar with the set up for each exercise.
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Engage the Muscle: Gently contract the muscle group you're targeting. The contraction should be gentle yet firm enough to feel the muscles working.
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Hold the Contraction: Sustain this gentle contraction for around 5 to 10 seconds. Focus on breathing steadily throughout the contraction—inhale and exhale naturally without holding your breath.
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Relaxation Phase: After holding the contraction, release the tension slowly and relax the muscle group completely. Allow the muscle to return to its resting state.
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Perform this sequence of contraction and relaxation around 5 times for the specific motion you're targeting.
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Gradual Progression: Over time, you can increase the duration of the contractions or the number of repetitions as your muscles adapt and become stronger. However, start gently and gradually increase intensity to avoid straining the muscles.
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Remember, maintaining proper form and avoiding any pain or discomfort is crucial. If you feel discomfort, you are probably trying to force to much motion, back of and don't go as far.
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Light isometric contractions in shortened muscle positions can offer several benefits:
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Increased Strength and Endurance: Isometric contractions in shortened positions engage the muscle without changing its length. This helps build strength and endurance specifically in that range of motion, which can be particularly useful for activities or sports that require strength in specific joint angles.
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Improved Flexibility: Holding an isometric contraction in a shortened position can help increase flexibility in that range. Over time, this can lead to improved flexibility and reduced risk of injury, especially in activities that demand extreme ranges of motion.
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Enhanced Mind-Muscle Connection: Isometric contractions emphasize the connection between your mind and muscles, allowing you to focus on engaging and activating the targeted muscle groups effectively. This improved neural connection can translate to better control and coordination in movements.
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Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention: Isometric contractions in shortened positions are commonly used in rehabilitation programs. They can help in strengthening muscles around an injury site without putting excessive strain on the injured area, aiding in recovery and preventing further injuries.
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Muscle Activation and Warm-Up: Performing light isometric contractions in shortened positions before a workout can help activate and prepare specific muscles for the upcoming exercise, reducing the risk of injury and improving overall performance.
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