Scottsdale, AZ - “No pain, no gain,” was the iconic, workout battle cry of the 80’s and 90’s. However, according to prominent physical therapist Andrew Clary, MS MPT ATC, it’s not only an erroneous motto, but one that can actually be harmful. In his own Scottsdale-based practice, FROGS Physical Therapy at 16621 N 91st Street, Ste 101, Scottsdale, AZ, Clary subscribes to a “pain free” approach, which is one of the reasons he’s added the revolutionary Redcord / Neurac system to his arsenal of targeted treatments in his office at 16621 N 91st Street, Ste 101, Scottsdale, AZ.
Redcord, a suspension-based therapy from Norway, which incorporates the use of cords, slings, pulleys, and other devices to use a patient’s own body weight and gravity to promote improvement in strength and flexibility. This unique method is designed to gradually increase tension at the patient’s own level of ability and comfort, alleviating strain and discomfort typically associated with rehabilitation. Combining controlled instability with curative vibrations, Redcord / Neurac system stimulates the neuromuscular system along the kinetic chains to bring back function, core strength and joint stability. It is used for a wide range of ailments including neck, back, pelvic, shoulder, knee and ankle pain or disorders, joint injuries, post-operative rehabilitation and osteoporosis.
Clary, who diligently stays abreast of the latest advancements in this constantly evolving field, first introduced the suspension-based Redcord program to his patients more than two-and-a-half years ago.
“I was immediately intrigued by this system as an effective way to offset body weight and maximize muscle potential,” he says. “Everything we do comes off the spine so we need to treat the whole kinetic chain. It’s quite common with injuries or weakness in certain muscles the body will automatically shift the weight to other stronger areas such as the hips and pelvis. If these areas are not sufficiently strong enough to handle this shift, the patient will only be compounding their problems.
“I always felt there was a missing link in rehab,” he adds. “While manual therapy and exercises are effective for most conditions, some traditional therapies just weren’t achieving the desired results. Discovering Redcord / Neurac system was like discovering the missing link and I believe this will dramatically change physical therapy.”
As innovative as the patented Redcord / Neurac equipment may be, it’s imperative that a qualified professional design and supervise the treatments. Completing 18 months of training, Clary was one of the first 12 therapists in the United States to be fully certified by the Norwegian based company. In addition to acquiring this knowledge and expertise, he has also retrofitted the FROGS facility to accommodate the Redcord/ Neurac system, which still remains the only one in Arizona to offer this Redcord/ Neurac system.
“Over the past 18 months we have converted FROGS to a fully functional Redcord / Neurac facility with three professional workstations and six mini Redcord stations,” says Clary. “It’s important to understand that if not used properly, with the proper training and supervision, the benefits will not be achieved and an unsupervised individual could hurt be seriously injured. We have to be involved with every single patient. This means scheduling fewer patients per day in order to provide this intensive supervision time and the results speak for themselves.”
A Redcord / Neurac certified therapist can identify weak links in the kinetic chain. These weaknesses can be the result of pain, injury, surgery, or even a sedentary lifestyle. The body adapts, often shifting stress into other places in the body. “Many dysfunctions create tension in muscles, not because they are tight but because the neuromusculary system is stressed. Often stretching is not the only answer, but rather muscle activation in a controlled situation.”
“The Redcord / Neurac system supports patients so that they can complete exercises without substituting the wrong muscles,” Clary explains. “A patient comes in with pain across their back and maybe radiating pain into their right leg. This pain is preventing proper muscle activation, so the patient will activate muscles that are not affected by the injury and create stress to injured area or a shift in their postural alignment. When we can activate the right muscles, realign the pelvic and establish proper neuromuscular control, the patient will then have return to a balance where they can allow the body to heal its injury.
“Additionally, when a patient has a long rehab program, they can become weak and out of condition because everything is focused on the injured body part,” Clary explains. “For example, after surgery we start patients with ACL ligament injuries by training hips and pelvis and the rest of the body without stress to their injured body part, so when the knee is ready to start the strengthening phase of the rehab, the core, hips and other parts of the musculoskeletal system are already strengthened and are already far ahead of schedule in their rehabilitation. Using the Redcord / Neurac method, everything is much more balanced and properly aligned, three dimensionally. We also recommend a pre-op program for many of our patients in preparation for various surgeries. The results have been outstanding. Not only do they go into surgery much healthier and stronger, but because of this advance physical therapy, their post-op rehabilitation tends to go faster and easier.”
Clary also points out positive outcomes of Redcord / Neurac suspension therapy are not limited to injuries or rehab following surgery.
“Runners and other athletes, including adolescents are using it to improve hips and low back stability and correct common conditions like patellofemoral (knee) pain and iliotibial band syndrome and hip / pelvic mobility,” he says. “By building up the core and isolating certain muscles that are causing restrictions in function, these athletes advance their training and avoid many injuries common to their specific sport. The ultimate goal is to get the body back in balance, be more resistant and able to function optimally.”
In fact, FROGS has developed a special program designed specifically for young athletes to improve strength, stamina, and balance but most importantly as a preventative to serious injuries.
“Children are starting to participate in rigorous sports at younger and younger ages,” notes Clary, “and while their trainers or coaches might be knowledgeable in helping them develop the specific skills pertinent to that sport they typically do not understand the importance of the type of core training and development that can prevent injuries or even the misuse of certain muscles.”
Future plans include creating special facilities and classes designed to augment young athletes so that they not only build proper core strength but can actually improve their athletic prowess. The Redcord / Neurac system, which is not just a rehab tool but an excellent fitness program for both children and adults, will be central to this program.
Opened in 2003 and incorporated in 2005, FROGS Physical Therapy is a “hands on” highly interactive physical therapy clinic specializing in the care and rehabilitation of Orthopedic Spine and Sports related injuries.
FROGS, is an acronym for Functional, Rehabilitation, for Orthopedic, Golf and Spine.
Owner and primary physical therapist of FROGS Physical Therapy, Andrew Clary has established himself over the past 25 years as a caring and committed professional that provides the highest level of medical care to his patients. As the Head Athletic Trainer for the University of Miami, Florida he established as excellent relationship with his team physician, John Uribe MD and provided the highest level of care to the athletes under his supervision. Andrew received outstanding training while at Purdue University, Florida State University and with the Baltimore Colts professional football team.
For more information and to read more about FROGS Physical Therapy visit www.FROGSPT.com; if you are interested in maximizing your time and effort with physical therapy, please investigate FROGS PT.