Wellness with Refuge

Injury & Muscle Atrophy
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

Injury & Muscle Atrophy

The human body is constantly striving to be an efficient steward of energy. Aside from our brain, which uses about 20% of the body’s energy per day, the remaining 80% is carefully allocated throughout our muscles and organs.

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Neural Tension
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

Neural Tension

What is neural tension?

As the nerves run through the body, they can become compressed or adherent to the fascia, bone, muscle or tendons that they pass through, creating peripheral nerve tension and compression. Neural tension can present as: numbness, tingling, pulling, tightness, or pain.

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Physical Therapy for Concussion Management
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

Physical Therapy for Concussion Management

A concussion is a mild brain injury that occurs when the brain hits against the skull during a blow to the head or from a rapid neck jerk when the body is hit. Common causes of concussion are falls, impact from sports, and motor vehicle accidents. In 80-90% of concussions, there is no loss of consciousness and symptoms can be delayed, appearing several days after the initial injury.

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Spinal Manipulation: Can You Benefit?
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

Spinal Manipulation: Can You Benefit?

Have you ever had a physical therapist or chiropractor crack your back? The pop decreases pressure in the joint capsule through the release of carbon dioxide and causes a stretch to the capsule allowing improved mobility and decreased pain. This treatment is known as joint manipulation. It consists of the application of a short, quick thrust to a single or multiple joints. It is also known as High Velocity Low-Amplitude Thrusts (HVLAT). This intervention is commonly used by Physical Therapists, Chiropractors and Osteopathic Physicians.

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PEACE & LOVE for Acute Injuries
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

PEACE & LOVE for Acute Injuries

When you have an acute injury, like an ankle sprain or hamstring strain, what is the recommended treatment? Many people are familiar with ‘RICE’, rest, ice, compression and elevation. This protocol was developed in 1978 by Dr. Gabe Mirkin. However, in 2015 Dr. Mirkin changed his recommendation, as ice application can delay and impede the healing process.

Research now tells us to treat soft-tissue injuries with ‘PEACE & LOVE’, an acronym coined by physiotherapists Blaise Dubois and Jean-Francois Esculier in 2019. This new protocol has two phases; PEACE is the focus of care for immediate injuries, while LOVE is used for subsequent injury management.

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Tennis Elbow Gotcha Down?
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

Tennis Elbow Gotcha Down?

Have you experienced pain at the outside of your elbow or forearm? This pain can increase when holding an object at arm’s length, gripping, and twisting and turning motions. Oftentimes this pain is sharp with use and becomes achy and tight with rest.

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The Importance of Unilateral Training
muscles, soft tissue massage Maggie Thompson muscles, soft tissue massage Maggie Thompson

The Importance of Unilateral Training

Here at Refuge, we love to train unilaterally! What does this mean? Unilateral training is any movement that emphasizes one side of the body (arm, leg, trunk/core) at a time rather than using both sides simultaneously. The asymmetry in this training allows us to recognize instability and weaknesses more easily. With this unilateral training, a person is less likely to compensate for weakness.

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What Is ART?
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

What Is ART?

Have you heard of ART? Active Release Techniques (ART) is a soft tissue technique that was developed by chiropractor Michael Leahy in 1985. ART is used to release muscle tension and relieve pain to allow improved mobility and function.

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Why You Shouldn't Stress Over Your MRI Results
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

Why You Shouldn't Stress Over Your MRI Results

Have you ever had an MRI? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic tool used to help medical professionals observe the structures inside the body. An MRI uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to affect the hydrogen protons within the body and measure the relative water content in the body’s tissues. The brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons are seen much more clearly with MRI than on regular x-rays and CT scans.

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Are You Tired of Neck Pain/Stiffness?
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

Are You Tired of Neck Pain/Stiffness?

Do you sit for more than 1-2 hours at a time? Does your neck feel sore, stiff, or achy towards the end of the day?

Neck stiffness limits mobility and can cause pain. Neck stiffness can be caused by an injury, repetitive stress, muscle imbalance or improper, prolonged loading due to poor posture and ergonomics. Neck stiffness puts added stress on the muscles, joints, and nerves of the head, neck and shoulder.

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Vertigo- Do You Struggle with Dizziness?
Maggie Thompson Maggie Thompson

Vertigo- Do You Struggle with Dizziness?

Have you ever felt like the room was spinning? Have you been so dizzy that you were unable to get out of bed or go to work? Have you been afraid of falling down?

Did you know that dizziness is among the most common conditions in the United States, affecting 5.5% of the population?

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