Core ReaXion, a new class from Mike

Friday, October 28th, 2011 At 9:00 pm

Core Reaxion’s mobility class was designed specifically to address mobility issues that Mike and Scott were seeing in their patients and athletes. This class will focus on increasing the mobility of each of the major joints of the body, as well as, focusing on the causations of immobility.

This progressive four week program is specifically designed to incorporate a total body approach that addresses all the elements that limit the body’s fluid natural movement. Some of the key elements to be addressed are soft tissue/joint capsule restriction, muscle imbalance issues, and how these factors lead to immobility and dysfunctional movement patterns.

This class will provide the participants with the tools they need to revitalize their total body energy dynamic. Join Mike and Scott for this four week course and rediscover what happy and healthy feels like. 

Classes to begin on November 14, 2011.  Call Capitol Rehab at 540-665-4444.

My Broken Arm

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011 At 12:52 pm

I was feeling so good that I decided to extend my normal bike workout form 2-3 laps to 5. My energy was so good I  decided to extend my course to also include a yet uncharted trail. Do you know when you are about to do something, and you hear that little voice whispering in your ear? This little voice was screaming at the top of its lungs, STOP!!!! But my energy and ego completely ignored the little guy who seemed to say to himself, “OK don’t listen to me, I am only omniscient”.

So instead, I increased my speed. I turned a sharp corner to see the trail as it takes a 90 degree turn. Essentially, I was running out of road but had plenty of speed. So reality hits. The svelte 25-year old triathlete, with cat-like reflexes I envisioned, transforms back to a 43-year old with the reflexes of a speedy snail.  My choice was to take a header into a tree or brake hard and do an awkward flip over the handlebars. I choose the latter. So here I am flying through the air like Wile E. Coyote after the Road Runner has removed the ACME rocket from beneath his legs. I land on my extended right arm and attempt a “graceful” tuck and roll. (Let’s just go with it for now).

I stood up and said to myself, I think I am alright. The only difference now is that little voice is now loud and clear. I have been treating orthopedic injuries for 15 years and I know what I probably did. You cannot catapult 210 lbs up into the air, and come down stiff-armed without some injury. I also felt the compression in my elbow and shoulder. I just hoped the damage was not a displaced fracture that would require a long term cast. I also know I should not try to diagnose myself.

So, to jump ahead a day, it turns out I have a compression fracture of my radial head (elbow) as well as excessive swelling in the elbow joint.  And a lot of soft tissue damage.  I also have a mild whiplash and a subluxed rib head. So much for the graceful tuck and roll.

I have decided to blog this event for the benefit of my patients. To share my experiences.  I want to document how I manage my injury and the benefits of rehabilitation through the stages of recovery. I will try to cover the most frequently asked questions such as; when to ice and when to heat, do I need an MRI? How long should I expect recovery to take? When do I start exercise? Should I brace or cast or not at all?

I welcome any questions you may have, and will keep you informed on a daily basis. Tomorrow, I will break down the first week from what I did immediately after the wreck, to my visit to the orthopedist today. I hope you find it interesting and I look forward to getting back to 100%.

John Doepper DC

Top 3 Exercises for Neck and Shoulder Pain

Thursday, February 10th, 2011 At 5:35 pm

Tired of that pain in the neck?  Are you having chronic shoulder injuries?  You may have scapular dysrythmia.  Sounds serious doesn’t it?  Well don’t be afraid.  All this means is you most likely have muscle imbalances in your neck and shoulders.  These muscle imbalances can lead to neck pain and rotator cuff/shoulder issues.  Try these simple exercises that have helped many of our patients.  Good luck! I hope they help. 

Remember if you  continue to have pain for more than a week you need to seek the advice of a medical professional that deals with these issues on a daily basis,  such as we have at Capitol Rehab.

First this is how you hold the soft band.

Now retract and depress the should blades.

Wall Angels.

Take a Breath

Twitter inquiry about shoulder pain: How can a chiropractor help?

Thursday, February 11th, 2010 At 2:08 pm

An interesting question about shoulder pain was posted today on Twitter this morning:

“I’m awake way too early. Only got 4ish hours of sleep. But my shoulder hurts so much I can’t sleep. Hoping a chiropractor visit helps.”

It is important for the chiropractor to locate the cause of your shoulder pain. Whether it be referred from your neck and back, or soft tissue involvement at the shoulder such as tendonitis or bursitis.

The neck, mid-back and shoulder girdle all must be addressed for long term relief. Adjustments on the neck and mid-back for which chiropractors are uniquely qualified as well as soft tissue therapy on the shoulder such as with Graston, ART, or Myofascial treatment and exercise for stability all are equally important.

A good sports medicine chiropractor can help when all these areas are addressed.