Category: Joint Health

Assessment

Post author By Dr. Benjamin Bluestein
Post date June 4, 2017

What is FRA or FR Assessment?

The FRA or Functional Range Assessment this involves measuring someones physical joint health. From this assessment, a clinician and coach can then prescribe a daily routine, specific Strength and Conditioning (S & C) and training. A health professional should want to gather detailed information during any assessment. This information will be used to give a measurable baseline. From there we can set your “finish line” or health goals and measure your progress.

The FRA assessment is based on an active and passive measurement of the body’s joints (ankles, knees, hips, spine, shoulders, elbows and wrists). FRA is a standardized assessment system that allows for ease of communication between clinicians, trainers and coaches.

I spent 40 hours in transit for the 3 day course. Why? To be with the best and brightest minds and manual medicine, S & C and fitness were in attendance. Internationally recognized trainers and health professionals gathered in Austin at the Onnit Academy and De Franco’s gym to learn Functional Range Assessment. The assessment course also involved us learning to program both manual therapy and joint health in a strength and conditioning and wellness program. In depth lecture and discussion of bio flow, dynamic systems theory were also done.

Assessment-Chiropractor — One of my low back cases was discussed during the course.

What is the ONNIT Academy?

The ONNIT Academy is located at Austin, Texas. Onnit is dedicated to “Total Human Optimization” through nutrition, strength and conditioning equipment and physical education. Onnit also features specific strength and conditioning training, 10th Planet jiu-jitsu and Bang Muay Thai.

I was also able to take in exercise class with the Esik a.k.a. Erik Melland, the Steel club master coach for Onnit. In class, we did mostly bodyweight exercises, and incorporated some tools such as Battle ropes, steel mace steel clubs,sandbags, Thai rope and kettle bells. This exercise worked in the core and blasts the nervous system. Was great to get a workout and learn some new movement.

sports-chirporactor-hong-kong — Fundamentals with Esik

Do you have questions on your joint health or movement? Would you like to communicate with me? Click here!

Chiropractor Hong Kong Joint Health Media Sport Videos

Performance

Post author By Dr. Benjamin Bluestein
Post date March 16, 2017

Chiropractor-running-hip-pain — Track Athlete and I

Performance is VITAL for life and sport.

This past month I travelled to Korea with my wife (also a Chiropractor), Dr. Tracy Ho while she attend the Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) course. FRC was developed through Functional Anatomy Seminars and Dr. Andreo Spina. I have been fortunate to be learning with Dr. Spina since 2010 and have been a certified FRC mobility specialist since 2013.

I had a chance to speak with the lead instructors, Dewey Neilsen and Michael Ranfone. It was great to see how FRC can be organised into a group class, called KINSTRETCH. I hope to take Kinstretch as a way to increase group performance in the near future. I will be travelling to learn more from Michael at the Functional Range Assessment for advanced practitioners at the Onnit Academy in May.

Check out the video of FRC and Kinstretch below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ-BHOYAOFh/?taken-by=bluestagrams

Performance care in Korea

I was privileged to meet and observe some of the members of Xion.,and the Athletic Republic Network team in Seoul. I was able to observe how athletes go through pre season testing and their protocol on increasing speed, agility and strength. Daum Jung, a performance and strength and conditioning specialist, brought me through what its like to interpret data from pre season testing and using it to develop a performance program. I also got to speak with some athletes their injury histories. For more information on Xion Korea, click here. For a quick tour of Xion Korea click here.

Chiropractor-Performance-Trainer — Daum and I

I was also fortunate to train some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while in Korea. Professor Kris Kim, a blackbelt under Tony Passos and Atos BJJ USA, showed us some great technique. The Students at Beomgye New Wave BJJ were gracious enough to let me borrow a gi and attend a class and roll. I was also invited to attend the Yongsan BJJ open mat located on the USA Army base in Itaewon, Seoul. Thanks for the hospitality!

Chiropractic-sports-injury — Me with Team Beyomge BJJ New Wave

For more on Chiropractic and performance, click here.

Chiropractor Joint Health Pain Spine Sport

Pain reduction

Post author By Dr. Benjamin Bluestein
Post date December 31, 2015

As a Chiropractor and manual therapist, I always recommend people to move well and move often to reduce or prevent joint pain.

If your spine, shoulder or ankle have joint pain or not moving well, it might not just affect your ability to move but can even have effects on your breathing, stress and even your immune system. Of course, follow a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, not too much red meat, whole foods, no preservatives etc.), sleeping well, and exercise are all good ways to keep your joints healthy and free of pain.

I had a friend recently ask what are the top things people aren’t doing that they should start doing for their joint pain and health.

Here are my top 3:

Self Screening- Prevention is key to joint pain and knowing when to see a professional and when something can be treated on your own is important to be able to differentiate. I always teach my patients how to screen for joint problems and whether or not they should seek advice from a health professional. If they are in doubt, I always recommend consulting with one as soon as possible. What do I teach patients with Joint pain for screening? CARs or Controlled Articular rotations. They allow for screening for all joints in all ranges of motion. Knowing what type of pain or restriction is considered abnormal is a great way of preventing further problems. For an example of CARs click here

Joint Mobility training- FR and FRC practitioners define Mobility= flexibility + strength. One can never be too mobile. Improving and maintain mobility is important for life. Whether you want to plays sports or just want to play with your kids, adequate mobility is required. FRC and FR protocols allow you to strengthen your joint articulations (hips, neck, lower back, wrist, pinky finger). There is no age limitations to joint mobility training as it is dependent on your own body. Those with joint pain also can benefit from these exercises as they can be geared specifically to their complaint without aggravating the pain. For more information on FR and FRC click here or visit functionalanatomyseminars.com

Capacity Training- Injury= load > capacity. Injury occurs when a load on your body is greater than the capacity that your body can take. Joint pain can occur when your capacity to do an activity is low. Do you train yourself in your weakest areas? Do you prepare your body for all ranges of motion? Increasing your capacity in weak areas will reduce the likelihood of injury and therefor pain. If you have been injured before, improving the injured areas capacity will prevent re-injury. What type of capacity training can I start with? You can start with simple Joint mobility training, see above. No equipment is required and it is done with body weight. You can also begin to do general strength and aerobic training. Sometimes just being strong in both your heart and skeletal muscle can prevent a lot if injuries and chronic disease.

Stay Healthy and Happy New year!

Chiropractor Health Hong Kong Joint Health Pain Sport

Tennis Elbow: Tendonitis or Tendonosis

Post author By Dr. Benjamin Bluestein
Post date July 3, 2015

Wimbledon Tennis Championships is underway and it reminded me to touch on the dreaded “tennis elbow” diagnosis. I hear this all the time from people who complain of lateral elbow pain (pain on the outer elbow) but don’t even play tennis. I always ask “did you hurt your arm playing tennis?” If not, then you don’t have “tennis elbow”. Patients then claim to have some kind of tendonitis or lateral epicondylitis . Unfortunately, you most likely have a tendonosis or epicondylosis. I spoke with some Crossfit and basketball athletes last week who have battled “tennis elbow” before without ever playing tennis. “Tennis Elbow” affects not only sports people but office workers and labourers as well.”

“”Tennis Elbow” affects not only sports people but office workers and laborers as well.”

My doctor or therapist said I have “tennis elbow”, I guess I have some kind of tendonitis or tendonosis. What is the difference?

Tendinitis is the active inflammation of the tendon. The mechanism usually occurs due to micro-tears that occur with repeated heavy or sudden overload. Tendonitis occurs overs a few days to weeks and time to recovery can be anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. The key for this diagnosis is that there has to be an inflammatory, chemical, component. Unfortunately, research has shown us that more often than not, there is NO active inflammatory component in long standing cases of “tennis elbow”.

Tendonosis is more degenerative in nature. The injury occurs due to the tendon chronic overuse. Without adequate rest, even light, repetitive strains can result in a tendonisis. Tendonosis occurs typically over 7 to 10 weeks and time to recovery can take even longer, between 3 to 6 months. This tendonisis has a degenerative component over an inflammatory one.

Why is the diagnosis important?

Depending on what process is going on will depend on what treatment will best affect your body.

Depending on what process is going on will depend on what treatment will best affect your body. Inflammatory tendonitis requires an initial anti-inflammatory treatment protocol. By trying to give strengthening or stretching during this phase could hinder your recovery. Less conservative approaches, such as anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections, may not be particularly effective if you do not have an active inflammatory component in your injury. In some cases, corticosteroid injections risks have been shown to increase the degeneration of tendons, risk of recurrence and therefore, make the tendon at risk for rupture.

Degenerative tendonosis requires an approach that addresses rebuilding the tendon as quickly and safely as possible. Specific exercises like those prescribed by FR and FRC practitioners can target the muscles and tendons without causing further degeneration. Diagnosis is also important to know when to rest and when do proceed with more advanced exercises like eccentric training. Modalities such as shockwave therapy, to help with proper neovascularization (big word meaning blood vessel supply) may be used. Blood vessel formation in tendonosis problems tends to be poorly done by the self-healing body which can lead to pain and slow healing. Other modalities such as dry needling and supportive taping can help improve pain control and support other tissues.

Coaching proper technique for the specific tasks is required for both diagnoses. Supportive bracing may also be recommended to reduce load on the elbow tissues.

How do I know which one I have?

See a health professional, like a Chiropractor, that can provide a detailed physical exam. The physical exam should consist of a general history of your complaint and specific palpation, muscle and orthopaedic testing. Your health practitioner should be able to discern the trouble muscles. Is it ECRL, ECRB, common extensor,blah blah …. All important structures involved in any “tennis elbow” complaint need to be thoroughly examined by hand.

In addition to the elbow, I would look at the wrist, shoulder and neck. There may biomechanical problems that need to be addressed to take pressure off of the affected tendon.

Are you in Hong Kong and suffer from elbow pain or “tennis elbow”?

Contact me for a healthy conversation. Perhaps I can help.

Tags Assessment, Chiropractor, elbow pain, Sport Injury, tennis elbow

Chiropractor Joint Health Media Sport Videos

Ankle Exercises and injury prevention

Post author By Dr. Benjamin Bluestein
Post date April 20, 2015

What are some good ankle exercises to prevent injury?

Ankle exercises can be done to prevent ankle sprains. Improve your ankle ranges of motion through mobility training. This video demonstrates some common ankle injuries and some ways to improve ankle mobility. Enjoy!