What Can I Do Between Appointment To Help The Treatments?

After the appointment ends for patients, a question we commonly hear is, "What can I do to support my treatment until the next visit?" The answer to this question can vary from nothing (but observe what happens over the next couple of days) to specific exercises. In this post, we're going to explore various options, and what they mean, and discuss some resources if applicable. 

What If I'm Told Not To Do Anything?

It's possible and common there may not be anything to do between appointments. That could be because exercises or stretches do not exist for the specific areas we're trying to address. Another reason may be your doctor wants to know how things go between visits just from the treatment. If this is the case, then relax and don't worry. Just pay attention to how things go after the treatment. For others, we have some very affordable online courses that could be helpful for patients between appointments. If unsure, check in with Dr. Lopez or Dr. Curtis before starting these programs. 

What If I Have Neck Pain or Headaches?

If you suffer from neck pain or headaches that may be related to neck tension, several options may be helpful to do between treatments. The most general neck pain course is called "The Neck Pain Code." This is a series of different self-performed techniques for the head, neck, and shoulders that can help reduce neck pain. The course addresses joints, muscles, bones, and fascia to help bring about relief. This is a wonderful place to start between treatments. 

Many patients become aware of how much tongue and floor of the mouth pain ant tension affects their neck and head during treatments. Although it is often surprising, patients also feel how powerful treating those areas can be. In these cases, these patients may benefit from a course called "The T Element." This course is much more specific and in depth to help self-release the tongue and associated muscles. This course can also be helpful material before or after a tongue tie release. 

For our female patients, sometimes venous and lymphatic congestion in the breast tissues can drag the head down causing neck pain and headaches. Fascia (a continuous connective tissue) that is continuous with the breasts attaches into the collarbones and then at the base of the skull. We created a free course for women titled "Self Treatment of Neck and Upper Back Pain for Breastfeeding Women." Applying the material in this course can help reduce some of the congestion that may be helpful for neck pain. 

What If I Have Tongue Tension?

Many patients come to our office for tongue tie bodywork before or after a tongue tie release. These patients will have tongue tension. With other patients, we may find it being a cause to their problems. Rarely does anyone ever come to the office complaining of tongue tension and pain. In our office, we find tongue tension in patients to be a common cause of problems such as neck pain, posture, and headaches. 

For those wanting to spend a little time exploring tongue tension and its connection to the rest of the body, we have put together a free "Tongue Meditation." However, for those who are aware of the pain and tension in their tongue and floor of their mouth, the best course to do between appointments is The T Element mentioned above. 

It may seem unrelated, but in our practice, we have come to understand how fascial tension driven by chronically contracted muscles in the body can affect tongue function and swallowing. Dr. Lopez has figured out a way to break the tension in chronically contracted muscles thereby releasing bodywide fascial tension. To learn more about how bodywide fascial tension can affect swallowing, visit the following link Global Active Myofascial Stretching (GAMS). In this case, this can be a very helpful course to help resolve tongue tension with a more systemic approach.  

What If I Have Low Back Pain and Other Issues?  

If you have low back pain or other issues, the most helpful course to do between appointments is the Global Active Myofascial Stretching (GAMS) course. This 4-week course was designed to self-release the whole body starting at the legs. By doing so, low back pain and other pains can improve. This course is the most versatile for different problems for patients who want something to do between appointments.  

As a result of the GAMS course, one should feel more unwound, more flexible, and stronger. With that, there can be strong pain relief. 

Conclusion

Of course, Dr. Lopez or Dr. Curtis may suggest some simpler things to do between appointments. For the best results, however, it may be good to do more things. If you're not sure, be sure to ask the next time you are in for your appointment.