This week, I have "8 Specific Release Technique questions" for Dr. Jedediah Badders. Dr. Badders and his wife opened Bridgewater Chiropractic in Post Falls and have made North Idaho their home after living in southern Idaho for a number of years.

Growing up in Arkansas, Dr. Badders was fascinated with how the human body works, he always thought of chiropracty as a possible career. Upon receiving his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic, he began working at a clinic in Meridian where the main focus was on adjusting the spine for all problems.

While chiropractic adjustments are invaluable and highly effective, Dr. Badders felt some problems needed more than chiropractic could offer. Dr. Badders found the Specific Release Technique which is a soft tissue treatment protocol developed by a chiropractor in Boise. Specific Release Technique was the missing piece of the pain puzzle and Dr. Badders was excited to bring the Specific Release Technique to North Idaho.

Q. Dr. Badders, can you tell us a little about the Specific Release Technique?

A. Specific Release Technique is a soft tissue treatment protocol that I have found to be highly effective for chronic pain. It involves working on fascia or connective tissue which surrounds all structures within the body and provides constant tension and stability. The three basic groups of fascia are deep, superficial and visceral which surrounds organs. The technique is designed to work on the deep layer of fascia which is where most chronic pain originates.

Q. Facia has become a well recognized component in recovery and healing. Myofasical release is something most athletes practice to help with recovery. How does Soft Tissue Treatment compare to the Myofasical release method?

A. The majority of fascia work follows a basic protocol and that is to break up adhesions and/or scar tissue. This allows the tissue to glide without restrictions. There are protocols out there that get a similar result, but the path is different. Myofascial Release, Active Release Technique, Graston and Specific Release Technique are all similar treatments for fascia. Keep in mind the different layers of fascia that may require different treatment. I mostly treat the deep layer of fascia which tends to present as chronic or long-term pain.

Q. Which parts of the body can develop soft-tissue injuries?

A. Fascia problems can develop anywhere. Think of fascia as a huge web beneath the skin that keeps constant tension on the body. Within that web, fascial problems can develop, but there are areas that are more common. The tissues surrounding joints are part of the deep layer of fascia and are more likely to develop problems due to the increased stress of motion.

Q. How do soft tissues become injured and adhesion develop?

A. Two basic ways that fascia problems develop are trauma and repetitive motions. Traumatic injuries usually form scar tissue which doesn't glide like normal tissue and is more restricted. These restrictions cause abnormal joint movement and over time will stress the tissue and cause pain. The same goes for repetitive motions. Think of a baseball pitcher throwing a fast ball over and over. Repetitive motions cause the fascial bands to adhere or stick together which produce restrictions.

Q. Why are most soft tissue injuries and the facia component missed during standard treatment and develop into chronic pain?

A. Pain is the indicator most people look for when assessing a problem, but pain has a threshold and when the pain signal is sent, it doesn't mean the problem just started. Dysfunction happens first and when that builds to a certain point, the threshold is met and the pain signal is sent. Pain is an indicator of a problem, but it can take months or even years to develop. Fascial problems are often missed because pain is not present. A big contributor to dysfunction is poor posture.

Q. What is the treatment like and is it painful?

A. Specific Release Technique is a manual therapy where I use my hands to work on the fascia. This allows me to feel the tissue and provides good feedback. I move at a slow and steady pace which compresses and stretches the tissue at the same time. Treatment time is normally 20 minutes. Patients do experience pain, but the levels are subjective and the intensity varies from patient to patient. Even though treatment may be painful, I have seen so many remarkable improvements with patients that I continue to utilize the technique in my practice.

Q. What are benefits of Soft Tissue Treatment and how many sessions does it take on average to see improvement?

A. Soft tissue treatment can resolve or greatly reduce long-term pain. It normally takes 4-6 visits for treatment to be effective. Treatment duration ultimately depends on how well the patient's body responds to care. Pre and post checks are done each visit so the patient can see the progress they are making. Improvement is usually noticed after the first visit, but I tell patients to commit to at least three visits. If after the third visit there hasn't been any improvement, then a re-evaluation will be needed.

Q. Are there side effects to the Soft Tissue Treatment and are there people who should not seek this type of treatment?

A. After an initial treatment, the area that was worked on is normally sore. Ice is recommended after treatment to minimize inflammation. Kinesio Tape is applied to increase circulation and decrease pain. The soreness is normally only present for the first couple of visits. There are definitely different situations where the soft tissue work is contraindicated. Arthritis in a joint will continue to aggravate the tissue and will negate long lasting benefits. Also, if the problem is deep inside a joint, I wouldn't be able to apply the necessary pressure for treatment. Since problems are unique to each individual, a consultation and exam would be best to determine if the tissue work can help.

Thank you for your great answers. Dr. Badders can be reached at (208) 262-8166.

Judd Jones is a director for the Hagadone Corporation.