My partner and I own and operate a Chiropractic and Rehabilitation clinic in Latrobe, Pa. We were introduced to the ATM2 approximately 7 months ago and purchased a unit. As Chiropractors the majority of the patients we treat have recurrent chronic problems.
While we have enjoyed good success in helping patients resolve their problems there is a high percentage who continue to present with the same condition over and over. The key to stabilizing these patient is correcting the muscle dysfunction and abnormal movement patterns that have developed in conjunction with their pain syndrome. Prior to the use of the ATM2, this meant spending a significant amount of time training the patient to perform exercises designed to correct this dysfunction, and even more time for the patient to try and do the exercises correctly. Even if they could follow through with the exercises correctly the results were often disappointing.
The ATM2 has proven to be an invaluable tool to address these conditions. Explaining the concept of why it works to a patient is somewhat difficult, but getting them to understand the results is not. When they step off the ATM with less pain and improve motion they know they are on the right track to recovery.
One example of the power of this type of therapy involved the treatment of a 21 year old female. This patient was seeking treatment for chronic lower back pain that was the result of being in a MVA 14 months earlier. Despite being on multiple medications and undergoing 18 sessions of physical therapy she continued to suffer from debilitating pain. Within 2 weeks of combined treatment with the ATM and manipulative therapy her pain had reduced to a mild tolerable level. But the best part of her story has to do with her right shoulder. The accident had resulted in trauma to the shoulder that required surgical repair. When I initally seen her she was in her 8th week of post surgical therapy.
At this point she had less than 90 degrees of active abduction and flexion of the shoulder and the treating therapist was telling her that she would probable have to live with the pain and dysfunction. With her concent we decided to try and treat the shoulder on the ATM2. With two treatment she was able to achieve full ROM of the shoulder with only mild discomfort.
Use of the ATM2 in our office has increased the efficiency of treating many types of musculo-skeletal problems, and it consistently provides me with the ability to help patients that have failed with other types of treatment.
Philip Westerbeck, DC