Therapy changes

Paula Elrod stresses the importance of a chain being only as strong as its weakest link.

That’s what the physical therapist of 18 years said makes a difference with augmented soft tissue mobilization — or ASTYM — a type of treatment she has been performing for two years in Odessa.

What Elrod said separates ASTYM is that it treats the entire kinetic chain. This means from the hand to the neck in treating carpal tunnel syndrome — or from the lower back to the foot in dealing with hip bursitis.

“There’s no question about it — it’s the future in my opinion,” she said.

The benefits to the therapy include not having to have surgery or injections, Elrod said. And the therapy has results.

Elrod points to nationwide statistics that show an 88.6 percent improvement in patients in managing pain and an 83.6 percent improvement in function.

The treatment involves using patented clear plastic polymer tools to massage areas in the kinetic chain that are affected. Elrod glides the instruments over tissues in the direction of muscles and tissues, looking to treat abnormal fibrosis of tissue.

“We go across every area,” she said.

ASTYM, which takes about four to six weeks of treatment, also involves extensive stretching, both at the physical therapy facility and at the patient’s home. Elrod said it is prescribed specifically for the patient’s condition, which can include everything from post-surgical scarring to anterior knee pain to Caesarean section scars.

For patient Teresa Gallegos of Odessa, the therapy has made a significant difference. She said before she started, she could barely lift her hand over her neck.

Carpal tunnel was devastating on Gallegos’ golf game, she said. But now, things are getting better.

“I was twisting my hand, and it just hurt,” she said. “I’d pull my glove off and have my husband massaging my hand. Last Sunday, I just played

Gallegos encourages all physical therapists to offer the treatment.

“They need to do it,” she said. “To me it’s very beneficial.”