May 31, 2007

Dr. Lee Lloyd opened Peak Performance Chiropractic this spring on Oak Street.

Lloyd has been practicing chiropractics for almost five years. She graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland.

“I was practicing in a busy Seattle office before moving to the Gorge last summer,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd’s approach to treatment focuses on the principle that optimal joint function is dependent on proper soft tissue function, and vice versa. Lloyd has found Active Release Technique (ART) to complement her chiropractic approach, especially for longstanding or recurring problems where significant muscle or other soft tissue involvement is present.

ART is used to treat acute strains and sprains as well as chronic overuse conditions such as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain, neck pain and more. ART is distinct but not dissimilar to other techniques such as mobilizing and massage.

The clinic combines chiropractic, Active Release Technique and rehabilitation. These three techniques work together to give the patient a complete healing experience.

If you have a dysfunctional joint, it causes a decrease in the activity of the muscle surrounding that joint, which in turn causes scar tissue of that structure rendering that area of the body unstable. Scar tissue can bind tissue preventing it from moving freely.

Scar tissue can also cause shorter and weaker muscles, decreased range of motion and even pain. In addition, scar tissue can lead to nerve entrapment that can result in “tingling,” numbness or even weakness in your arms or legs.

“Chiropractic treats the dysfunctional joint, while ART treats the scar tissue,” Lloyd said. Rehabilitation is then needed to stabilize the body to function properly. One is not as effective without the other.