The Community Sports and Therapy Center is pleased to announce that we are now offering programs for blood flow restriction and advanced treatment for temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Blood flow restriction uses a pneumatic tourniquet system which applies an external pressure, using a tourniquet cuff, to the most proximal region of the upper and/or lower limbs. After injury or surgery, a patient is usually unable to exercise at an effort level known to increase muscle strength. The application of intermittent and personalized blood flow restriction allows for strengthening and hypertrophy rehabilitation much earlier.

Blood flow restriction activates muscle and allows for muscle growth, decreases muscle loss and promotes bone healing, creates stress on muscle to promote tissue healing, and improves muscle efficiency with endurance activities. This technique is appropriate when you are cleared for exercises and you are able to tolerate the pressure of a tourniquet being applied. This can be used in a wide range of acute and chronic conditions that decrease your functional mobility.

“Blood flow restriction allows you to show an increase in muscle volume and strength even when you are restricted from pain or weight restrictions after surgery,” said Kelsey Speck, PT, DPT.

Blood flow restriction therapy has been shown to improve outcomes following injuries such as ACL repairs, total joint replacements, Achilles repairs, rotator cuff repairs, muscles strains and more.

TMD has many similarities to other musculoskeletal disorders seen throughout the body and treated by physical therapists. Therefore, therapeutic approaches for other musculoskeletal disorders generally apply to TMD. There are many ways physical therapy can help manage patient symptoms and provide treatment for TMD including posture education, evaluation & treatment of cervical spine, improving jaw movement, pain interventions, exercise techniques, education and self-management.

“Often after a person is given education on posture, causes, and triggers of their TMD, along with manual techniques and dry needling as needed, we are able to come up with solutions to help decrease their pain and clicking of the joint” stated Speck.

Our offices are located in Celina, Coldwater and Fort Recovery. For more information about our specialty programs visit our website www.cstcenter.com or call us at 419-678-OHIO.