Treatment Modalities

Dr. Bagley is trained in manipulation of the joints.  Many people are familiar with an "adjustment" of the spine by a chiropractor.  Physical therapists call it a "manipulation" or a "high velocity-low amplitude therapeutic movement"  Not all physical therapists are trained in this technique.

 The Rezzimax Tuner Pro is a device developed by a physical therapist here in Utah.  It is particularly effective for treating headaches, TMJ, and neck pain, but is also useful for many chronic conditions.  Dr. Bagley can treat you with the Rezzimax tuner and help you decide if it would be helpful for you to get your own device.  

 Myofascial Release is a manual technique where the therapist's hands use the patient's skin or bones as a hand-hold to gently release the deeper fascial system which is a three-dimensional web that connects and surrounds every muscle, organ, cell and system in the body. Dr. Bagley has trained with John Barnes, PT and spent over 15 years treating people with this technique.   

  Joint mobilization is an isolated movement of a joint, similar to a manipulation but it is much more gentle. Some people have a condition that is not appropriate for a manipulation or they may just not like to be manipulated.  A more gentle joint mobilization is a very effective alternative to manipulation.  

 Dry needling is a form of therapy in which fine needles are inserted into myofascial trigger points, tendons,

ligaments, or near nerves in order to stimulate a healing response.  Dry needling is not acupuncture and is not used to change the flow of energy.  In fact, dry needling is a modern, science-based intervention for the treatment of pain and dysfunction in musculoskeletal conditions such as neck pain, shoulder impingement, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches,

knee pain, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, or low back pain.

KT tape helps to lift the skin and allow increased movement of lymph fluid.  This is helpful to reduce inflammation after an injury and can help relieve pain.  KT Tape can also provide support to muscles during activity.

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization uses a tool to mobilize the soft tissue of muscle, tendons, and fascia.  It is often called scraping.  This helps improve microcirculation, lymph movement and breaking up of scar tissue and adhesions. Dr. Bagley uses Gua Sha tools or the Rezzimax Tuner for IASTM treatments.

The physical therapy profession has often had difficulty describing what they do in a couple words because we do so many different things.  I myself have had a very diverse career working in wound care, stroke rehab, an inpatient hospital, industrial ergonomics, and multiple manual therapy specialties. 

I think the term Movement Specialist is the most accurate term to succinctly describe physical therapists.  The musculoskeletal system, nervous system, fascial system, integumentary system, cardiovascular system and even the respiratory system all work together to create movement.  Physical therapists analyze the quantity and quality of movement and then focus on optimizing movement by treating these integrated systems and retraining movement. Treating a painful back muscle is not very useful if the patient doesn't also improve the quality of their movement to prevent future problems.