Mychal Manning, DPT, uses the Neurodynamics Slump test to determine cause of hamstring pain.
At Compass Physical Therapy our goal is to identify the true cause of your pain and ensure lasting relief instead of a temporary fix. Hence, Mychal Manning, DPT, recently completed a 4-day course on Neurodynamics to broaden her diagnostic and treatment skills of pain with a nerve component.
Neurodynamics is the study of how nerves move and work throughout the body. It can help your therapist differentiate the source of the pain from true muscle pain (associated with strains) versus nerve dysfunction caused by neural tension, compression and/or movement. Neural (nerve) pain can originate at the spine or be present throughout the body. A Neurodynamics-trained therapist can identify the origin of the pain, treat it and teach you exercises to help you to do the same.
“For example, a patient might bend forward and feel pain and tightness in the hamstring and think it needs to be stretched,” says Mychal. “However, if the cause of the symptoms is nerve tension, stretching not only won’t relieve the pain, but might also make it worse.” A series of quick tests could identify either a muscle strain or nerve tension, leading to a more effective and quicker healing process.
If you are experiencing numbness, tingling, sharp pain or burning pain radiating into one of your limbs, you are likely a good candidate to be screened for neural tensions. Call to schedule an appointment with Mychal and her colleagues today at 541-728-0974.