Specialties

Vestibular Therapy

Top Tier Sports Medicine has additional education in the treatment of dizziness and balance disorders. Our goal is to assist our physician referrals in identifying the cause of dizziness and/or balance disruption to improve our patient’s quality of life and safety. Our comprehensive approach includes thorough musculoskeletal, visual, proprioceptive, vestibular system as well as functional balance assessments. Our staff is highly trained not only in diagnosis of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and subsequent corrections, peripheral and central vestibular dysfunction, orthopedic base balance dysfunction and fall prevention of the elderly.

Whole Medical Model
Balance
Orthopedic
Neuromuscular
Biomechanical

Areas of Treatment
Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo (BPPV)
Equilibrium
Vestibulopathy
Unilateral Vestibular Loss (peripheral)
Bilateral Vestibular loss (peripheral)
Dysequilibrium (movement coordination deficit)

Diagnosis Based Strategies
To obtain maximum outcomes the correct therapeutic strategies must be used. This can be accomplished through the following treatment strategies:

•  Canalith Repositioning (i.e. Epley Maneuver)
• Vestibular system re-education (VOR exercise)
• Manual Therapy
• Postural retraining exercises
• Balance training

Post-Operative Care 

At Top Tier Sports Medicine, we work closely with Orthopedic surgeons so their patients receive individualized care for the following procedures:

1. Shoulder Procedures- Rotator cuff repairs, labral repairs, arthroscopic debridement/ decompressions, fracture repair, Total shoulder replacement, etc.
2. Elbow Procedures- UCL repairs, tendon releases, fracture repair, etc
3. Wrist Procedures- fracture repair, Carpal tunnel releases, etc
4. Hip Procedures- Hip arthroscopies, Total hip replacement, etc
5. Knee Procedures- Total knee replacement, ACL reconstruction, Meniscal repair/ debridement, patellar tendon repairs, fracture repair, etc
6. Ankle Procedures- Achilles tendon repairs, Ankle arthroscopies, etc
7. Spinal Procedures- Spinal fusions, discectomies, etc.

Techniques based on the surgical protocol and individual restrictions will include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, and modalities. The goal is to restore patient’s ability to regain independence and return to all activities and sports.

FMT Certified Therapists

Our Functional Movement Techniques (FMT) certified therapists have been trained through Rocktape. FMT is a 2-part kinesiology taping certification led by industry leading experts in movement assessment and therapy. FMT is based on the obvious yet largely overlooked concept of muscles acting as a chain. Say good-bye to agonizing over muscular origins and insertions and memorizing directions of tape. Say hello to a practical framework of ‘taping movement, not muscles’. Our therapists have been trained in the concept of movement therapy and enhancement via functional taping methods. It includes a review of the current literature supporting the theory of kinesiology taping for the purposes of rehabilitation, edema/swelling management, neuropathic pain, scar mobility and postural management. The therapist applies tape in a manner that improves movement and function. Corrective exercise techniques to address joint mobility and stability dysfunctions along these myofascial pathways are presented.
The taping can be used for many conditions including:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Jumpers knee (PFS)
• ACL/MCL issues
• Rotator cuff
• Groin and hamstring pulls
• Lower back issues
• Shin splints
• Tennis and golf elbow
• Pain associated with pregnancy
• Postural correction
• Skin & abrasion protection

How Rocktape Works:
RockTape turns down the volume on pain
More specifically, it runs interference on pain. Ever whack your shin and rub it, and suddenly realize you feel better? RockTape on the skin can interfere with painful signals which are directed to the brain.
When the signals arriving to the brain are altered, it does not produce the sensation of pain. When kinesiology tape is properly applied, many of our customers call it “magic” or think that it fixed their injury instantly. In fact, it helps to change how your body interprets pain, turning down the pain “volume” that your body hears.
Decompresses an area of swelling and inflammation
When RockTape is applied to the skin, it has a microscopic lifting effect underneath the skin and between the many layers. This allows the by-products created by inflammation to be removed more quickly.
It delays fatigue
Research has shown that RockTape on skin can attenuate muscle fatigue. In rehab, this is very important, not only for the parts of your body that are currently hurting, but also for the surrounding areas as they help to pick up the slack for muscles that are currently not working well.
It normalizes muscle tone
When someone is injured, fatigued, sick, or inflamed, the symphony of muscle action that normally takes place with great accuracy often falls out of tune. This can happen all over the body. For instance, research has shown that people who sprain their ankle tend to have altered activity of their hip muscle as a result. RockTape helps bring dormant muscle back to life and help calm down the overactive muscles. It helps your body coordinate movement as if it weren’t hurt, hence allowing it to heal properly.
It distributes physical stress
Unlike conventional taping, which prevents movement – RockTape allows full movement of a taped area.  Through elastic properties and quick recoil, RockTape can help distribute forces to other nearby areas through the fascia, ligaments, and even bones.

Without RockTape
 
With RockTape

Astym^® Treatment

What Is Astym® Treatment? 
Astym® treatment is a therapy that regenerates healthy soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.), and eliminates or reduces unwanted scar tissue that may be causing pain or movement restrictions. Astym® treatment is highly effective and even works when other approaches routinely fail. One of the main reasons Astym® treatment is so much more effective than other treatments is that it was scientifically developed to resolve the underlying cause of soft tissue problems, rather than just trying to temporarily relieve symptoms. It is one of the most researched and effective therapy treatments available. Astym® treatment is unmatched in its ability to resolve tendinopathies, scar tissue problems, and other soft tissue dysfunctions. Doctors regularly prescribe Astym® treatment specifically for their patients, and elite athletes and knowledgeable patients seek out Astym® treatment for superior results. When your health and ability to stay active is at stake, only the best will do. 
Generally, chronic soft tissue problems are due to scarring or degeneration. Soft tissues include muscles, tendons and ligaments. Both scarring and degeneration are common and can result in pain and limitations in movement. 
The body’s soft tissues degenerate when inadequate healing occurs, and over time the tissues degrade. Degenerated tissues are weak and prone to injury. Degeneration can be caused by many factors, including age, intense use, improper movement, weakened muscles putting extra stress on other tissues, disease, etc. Most chronic tendinopathies are primarily degenerative in nature. 
Scarring can happen on top of the skin, but often the biggest problems come from scar tissue that forms inside the body around joints, muscles, tendons and/or ligaments. The body naturally lays down some scar tissue in response to irritation or injury. The fibrous, strong scar tissue is meant to reinforce an area, but often it ends up restricting movement and causing pain. The causes of problem scar tissue can be injury (such as a sprained ankle, car accident, etc.), a surgery (good surgery can be done, but the body’s response with scar tissue can prevent a full recovery), intense or over use of soft tissues (such as sports, repetitive work, activity beyond your fitness level, etc.), sprains or other strains on soft tissues. 
Good news: Astym® treatment works both to regenerate tissues and eliminate or reduce internal scar tissue. By eliminating the cause of your problems, your symptoms will resolve. 
How is Astym® Treatment Done? 
Be an active participant in your recovery! 
First they stimulate: An Astym®-certified therapist follows specific treatment parameters to initiate the healing process. She or he will run instruments firmly along your skin, following the direction of the muscle, tendon or ligament. You will feel bumps as the instrument moves along your skin. These bumps are the defective soft tissue. The first couple of treatments may range from being only slightly noticeable to mildly uncomfortable — but stick with it. As your body heals, those bumps will decrease and the area around your old injury will smooth out nicely, indicating healing. There also may be some mild bruising in the area being treated, but don’t worry! That is one indication that the body is hard at work, absorbing the old tissue and laying down healthy new tissue. 
Then you stretch and strengthen: It’s up to you to guide how your body heals. Your therapist will give you a customized stretching and strengthening program designed to encourage your body to heal correctly. Stretching tells the new fibers to line up properly, in nice parallel lines. Strengthening makes the fibers stronger, allowing your symptoms of pain and discomfort to go away. 
And stay active: We’ve found that if you continue to work, play sports or do your favorite activities while you are enrolled in Astym® therapy, the tissue remodeling will occur in a way that supports these activities. The great news is that the Astym® treatment allows you to participate in these activities without the pain you previously felt. By remaining active during the Astym® process, your old injured area will become stronger.