Treating Chronic Pain at the Root

At the Migraine Headache Relief Center of PA (MHRPA) we treat the root causes for pain — not just symptoms. The underlying root causes for chronic pain can now be treated successfully through neuromuscular rehabilitation. While medications can only mask the pain temporarily, neuromuscular rehabilitation techniques can succeed in producing lasting relief. MHRPA now offers you a drug-free, pain-free option for treating the root causes for conditions such as headaches, migraines, TMD and chronic tension. Neuromuscular rehabilitation could hold the key for you.

MHRPA’s In-office Neuromuscular Rehabilitation and Treatment Protocols

Treatment starts at the MHRPA, and depending on the type and severity of your chronic pain condition those treatment sessions can last from 8 to 12 weeks. We use a proven combination of neuromuscular rehabilitation and treatment protocols to produce a long-term resolution to headache and migraine pain, face pain, TMD, and chronic head and neck tension. The protocols we employ include four beneficial physical medicine modalities:

Treatment protocols include:

1. Manual massage – trigger point release
2. Ultrasound of the muscles
3. Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)
4. Low-level Cold Laser application

Once a comprehensive diagnostic examination at MHRPA reveals the root causes for your pain condition, Dr. Harris can select the treatment protocols best suited to rehabilitating your unique condition. He also determines where those treatment protocols must be focused for rehabilitation, intensity of treatment, how long treatment should last, and finally what you’ll need to do at home to support your in-office program.

MHRPA At-home Treatment Protocols

MHRPA gives patients the tools and training needed to maintain the progress they have made from in-office treatments. There are four components to our at-home treatment regimen. Each is designed to aid the patient in maintaining a pain-free lifestyle indefinitely. They are:

1. HOT & COLD PACKS – these are used by patients in the home after in-office treatments. You may experience some post-treatment discomfort, particularly after the first few treatment sessions — but this is normal. Remember that we are correcting serious neuromuscular force problems in your body. This will eventually subside. In the meantime, patients are encouraged to use cold packs during weeks 1 through 4, in particular. They may also be used as needed throughout treatment. The hot packs can be used anytime but with certain guidelines. You will receive comprehensive instructions from our treatment personnel on hot/cold pack usage, and it will most certainly help you to feel better if you experience post-treatment discomfort.

2. EXERCISES – having a normal range of motion and flexibility, good muscle health, and neuromuscular function are all keys to living pain-free and without limitations. The progress made from in-office treatments is easier to maintain with exercises so that the nerves and muscles stay healthy and the neuromuscular problems do not return.

Exercises consist of stretching regimens designed to gently stretch your head, neck and shoulders. Exercises are performed each day in the morning and evening, but they can also be done more frequently throughout the day, if necessary. Opening and closing the mouth slowly for brief intervals during day is also recommended. As treatment progresses, stretching gets easier and the muscles will not be as sore.

3. REHABILITATION ORTHOTIC – The rehabilitation orthotic is an important part of your treatment at home. It should be worn every night and at times during the day, according to Dr. Harris’s recommendations. The rehab orthotic is designed to relax the jaw muscles and bring the jaw into its best resting position. It can help to restore your bite to the most balanced position and reduce clenching and grinding. This orthotic allows the progress made during in-office treatments to be maintained and not lost. You will be instructed by the doctor as to when and how often to wear it based on your unique diagnosis and how you’ve responded to treatment.

4. CRANIAL ELECTROTHERAPY STIMULATION (CES) – CES is used in your rehabilitation at the office, but you will also be given an AlphaStim Unit to take home with you. The microcurrent applications of the alpha wave technology in AlphaStim Units are incredibly beneficial for neuromotor re-education and managing the abnormal neurochemistry present in chronic pain patients. The AlphaStim can modify and modulate a patient’s sensorimotor, proprioceptive, and somatosensory reflexes. This helps to correct issues in the feedback pathways that contribute to dysfunction and pain.

Use of AlphaStim can also help correct sleep patterns. This device “scrambles” the brain’s pain signals to reduce pain in the short-term, while the neural re-education benefits correct dysfunction and pain manifestation for the long-term. You will receive detailed instructions in proper use of the device.

Ready to live pain-free?

Don’t underestimate the benefits of a comprehensive plan for chronic pain management that does NOT rely on medications. Drugs can mask the symptoms temporarily, but they do not correct root causes — ever.

Call us today and let us help you treat chronic pain for the long-term so you can get back to doing those things you love!