Chorlton Osteopathic Clinic
Osteopathy, Acupuncture, Theraflex
Theraflex/Tamars
To complement osteopathic treatment I may also use these pieces of equipment
'TAMARS' (Technology Assisted Micro-mobilisation And Reflex Stimulator) formerly known as PAMM (Power Assisted Micro-Manipulation) and
'Theraflex' (a modern equivalent of TAMARS)
Theraflex/TAMARS is a tool for the manipulation of joints and muscles of the spine.
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The handset of the machine could be described as a bionic hand with four fingers. It is touch sensitive so the tool can be used like an extension of the hand.
Treatment is carried out with the patient lying prone, with their spine carefully positioned in the optimal position for mobilisation.
The mobilising technique consists of alternating pressure applied over diagonally opposed transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae. Mobilisation is therefore achieved by counter-rotating one vertebra on its neighbour (see animation) and fixed or stiff vertebral pairs are gently moved through their normal range of motion.
As the handset is worked up and down the length of the spine, every vertebra is exercised through counter-rotation.
The treatment parameters are fully adjustable. This allows the manipulations to be very light or much deeper as appropriate. The force is generated through compressed air, which acts as an inbuilt safety feature. The software enables continual self-adjustment between the practitioner’s hand and the resistance met in the spine, resulting in movement that is accurately teased rather than forced.
Most back pain involves the activation of pain sensitive nerves within mechanical structures (joints, muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments or connective tissues) due to a strain or compression injury. It is quite often the case that an acute episode of inflammation is not just an isolated incident but is part of a more chronic pattern of disturbed motion between various components of the spinal complex. This can lead to repetitive micro trauma and chronic inflammation.
The pathways leading to pain can therefore be gradual. Minor dysfunction in spinal joints may not at first give rise to symptoms. But if this persists, some other functional change will need to take place to compensate for it. The healthy body can adapt and compensate for the stresses we put it through, but if these patterns accumulate, our reserves of adaptability may reach their limit, leading to symptomatic pain and dysfunction.
TAMARS is a form of mechanical treatment aimed at correcting this dysfunction. With this form of bionic assistance it is possible to work through many segments of the spine quickly and efficiently.
With higher speed settings (up to 40 cycles per second!) it is also possible to generate deep vibration into the spine. Vibration is a well-known painkiller and the sheer depth that can be achieved, which is unique to this equipment, has a powerful therapeutic effect on the joints and soft tissues of the spine.
