About Our Treatments

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​​Mark's treatments for low back and neck pain involve a methodical intake process that includes a detailed intake form, conversation and multi-faceted in-person assessment. Through this process, Mark can determine which direction to go with  - treatments and exercises - to reduce symptoms and address underlying causes.

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There is always a consideration of the immediate need versus the long-term goals for those specifically coming in with acute spine pain, whether neck, mid-back or lumbar. With these patients in a lot of pain, the priority is often to 'put out the fire', so to speak. If you have ever had episodes of severe back back in which you can barely move, then your only priority is usually just pain and symptom relief. A comprehensive assessment process may not be possible until symptom severity can be calmed. Fortunately, Mark has the experience and vast skill-set to carefully help with these symptoms as well as the referral networks to get you the right diagnosis if needed. Specifically, there are targeted Active Release protocols for the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions that can safely increase pain-free range of motion while relaxing tense muscles. Combining these ART protocols with gentle traction, joint mobilizations, myofascial release and light massage can go a long way in reducing symptoms.

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When clients come to the office with more moderate and/or chronic back problems in which he can perform a thorough assessment, it is always Mark's goal to get to the root of the problem. Of course the intake form and initial conversation will give vital information on the injury. Any previous imaging, treatments, doctor visits and diagnoses to the spine will be discussed at length. In addition to that, Mark will always layer on a full biomechanics assessment to see what correlations and underlying variables could be at play because, even if there is pathology to a disc or vertebrae, fixing an alignment issue can make an impact on quality of life. 

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Low back pain can be caused and exacerbated by so many different variables. Mark checks for all of these when any client comes to his office with low back symptoms.

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• Anke Mobility - Limited Dorsiflexion

• Leg Length Discrepancy

• Hip Mobility - Limited IR or Hyper-mobility

• Tight Hamstrings

• Tight Hip Flexors

• Weak Gute Muscles

• Weak Abdominal Muscles

• Thoracic Spine - Hypo-mobility

• Scoliosis of the Spine

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If a client has a diagnosed herniated disc or arthritis, you can make the argument that it's even more important to fix any of the above or other ill-serving biomechanics in order to take further pressure and wear and tear off of these already compromised structures.

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Mark can help you find which of these and other biomechanics and postural imbalances are affecting your low back problems. He of course treats the local symptoms anywhere they present in the low back and neck. ART and his other master-level treatment skills built up over 23 years helps patients experiencing all types and levels of pain. One of the difference between Mark and other Massage Therapists in New York City is that he knows how to identify the source of that pain so you can get to the root of it.

 

Once identified, Mark applies all of his skills and expertise in Active Release, Medical Massage and Personal Training to helping his clients treat and rid themselves of neck and back pain.

 

So as you might expect, treating back pain might mean treating many different parts of the body. It often means ART, joint mobilizations and mobility exercises for the thoracic spine combined with focussed ART and Graston treatments on the calves and hamstrings​ when those muscles are tight. Add some ART and Deep Tissue Massage for the lumbar muscles for symptom relief along with Glute strengthening exercises and hip flexor ART, and perhaps that's the solution for client A. Client B might have similar symptoms but was a dancer and is completely hyper-mobile so her issue has more do with stability and strength, not lack of mobility like Client A. Client B may need more strength and stability exercises combined with lumbar ART treatments to reduce her local symptoms.

 

So just by these two quick examples, you can see how different the strategies might need to be.

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This overall range of treatment and training strategies that Mark incorporates includes:

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• Postural and Movement Assessments

• Range of Motion and Muscle Testing

• Active Release Techniques

• Deep Tissue and Sports Massage

• Trigger Point Therapy

• Myofascial Release

• Activation Exercises for Glutes and Core Muscles

• Corrective Exercises

• Strength Training

• Balance and Functional Training