Massage Techniques For Frozen Shoulder - Instant Range of Motion

Did you know that there are massage techniques for frozen shoulder that can help you gain improved range of motion instantly and decrease your pain? Stiffness and pain that limit shoulder motion with adhesive capsulitis is primarily due to painful adhesions that form on the surface of the joint capsule. However in the early stages of this condition, some loss of motion is due to protective muscle guarding and spasm, which can limit the effectiveness of stretching exercises and in most cases actually increase shoulder pain with stretching!

What happens is the patient is given a series of stretching exercises by their therapist in hopes to stretch or break adhesions, but because their shoulder may already be in an inflamed state, these exercises only inflame their shoulder more, thereby causing more pain, more inflammation, and more stiffness. Therefore these stretches are not doing what they are designed to do because of the protective muscle guarding. In the early inflammatory stages the patient should use frozen shoulder massage techniques to gain range of motion and allow the irritation to settle down before begin more aggressive with other stretching or ROM movements. When a person is given aggressive stretching exercises by their PT it's no wonder they soon give up!

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One way to overcome this vicious cycle of pain is to use specific muscle release techniques. By locating these muscles and applying graduated pressure you can get the spasms to "let go", thereby instantly improving joint motion. Sometimes the outcome is very dramatic and the patient can gain 20-30 degrees or more in one session. This can be repeated as often as necessary to loosen the shoulder and provide the patient with more pain-free function. These techniques require visual instruction and are too complex to cover within a text article. However here is a description of one of the massage techniques for frozen shoulder that can easily be visualized:

Lie on on a bed on your stomach close to the edge with your affected arm hanging off of the bed Have a partner place their fingers at the back of the arm pit (axilla) and then move their fingers approximately 1.5 to 2 inches laterally toward the spine. Have them start with light steady pressure and gradually increase the pressure to somewhat strong over a period of 30-45 seconds, then suddenly release. Repeat 3-5 times. Next have them begin to passively raise your arm towards your head while applying the same pressure in the spot described above. Movements should only occur in 5-10 degree increments with graduated pressure and release.

It's a good idea to start with heat first if available. Never push into pain and, as always, consult your doctor before beginning any massage techniques for frozen shoulder or any exercise or stretching plan.

Massage Techniques For Frozen Shoulder - Instant Range of Motion

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Patient, Relationship Management Tips & Techniques

To fully appreciate the benefits of patient relationship management techniques you need to understand what patient relationship management is. Patient relationship management is an approach that seeks to improve the quality of service provided to patients and patient perception of the quality of the practice and the attention the practice gives to patients.

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What are the benefits of patient relationship management? Some of the benefits include:

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· Increased likelihood that patients will refer on-patients to the practice. "Word of mouth" marketing is one of the least costly and most effective forms of marketing. In addition, referrals are the lifeblood of any practice. If one considers the lifetime value of a patient, even a small increase in the number of patients referred to a practice can have a substantial impact on patient profitability.

· Improved compliance with prescribed treatment. A patient who has a positive view/opinion of a chiropractor is more likely to follow that chiropractors advice. Improved compliance means better health for patients and a more positive view of the practice.

· A happier staff. If patients have a positive view of the practice and communicate that directly or indirectly to your staff, the staff will enjoy working in your practice more.

· Improved patient retention. If patients have a higher opinion/better relationship with your practice, they will be less likely to seek another health professional for treatment. The value of improved retention is substantial and can have a substantial impact on practice profitability.

What are some examples of patient relationship opportunities?

· Periodically provide follow up surveys to your patients to get feedback about your practice. Surveys could include such questions as:

- How satisfied are you with the quality of treatment and service provided to you?

- In what areas do you feel we could improve the quality of service provided?

- Would you be willing to recommend our practice to others you know?

· Offer free educational events to current patients and potential patients. These educational opportunities can often distinguish you from other chiropractors in your areas

· Once a year, have a patient appreciation night. Invite all your patients to an event such as a dinner. Few chiropractic offices do this. Again, it will make your practice stand out from others.

When purchasing chiropractic practice management and billing software, it is important to make sure that the software provides robust support for patient relationship management. Here are some examples of features you should look for:

· Capability to trigger events and/or reminders for communications with patients. One example would be the production of a postcard reminding a patient of an upcoming appointment

· Complete patient information that can be used from a customer relationship management perspective. Such information could include, but not be limited to mailing address, what promoted the patient to contact your office, and names of family members requiring treatment.

Mastering proven patient relationship management techniques and making sure any chiropractic practice management and billing system fully supports relationship management will benefit your practice in many ways including faster practice growth and improved profitability.

Patient, Relationship Management Tips & Techniques

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