SERVICES

Dr Patrick O’Shea has been in practice over 17 years specializing in the evaluation, management and active rehabilitation of spine, soft tissue, and sports injuries. As a certified provider of Active Release Techniques® (ART®), a medically patented soft tissue diagnosis and treatment system, Dr. O’Shea combines cutting edge soft tissue treatments with the latest active rehabilitation protocols for the best results.

Dr. O’Shea has worked in multi-disciplinary care his whole career working with professional and elite athletes from Major League Baseball, the NFL, and track and field, to Ironman triathletes, golf and tennis players.

He specializes in both non-surgical and pre/post surgical spine and sports injury care. Many cases do not require surgery as a result of ART® care.

Additionally, Dr. O’Shea uses Qualitative Functional Capacity Evaluations, sport specific functional assessments, and the advanced Active Release Techniques® with his Chiropractic, Orthopedic and Neurological tests to determine the exact course of care and rehabilitation, or referral to the proper specialist when indicated.

Dr. O’Shea has been treating Professional Athletes for nearly 17 years including: Team Chiropractor for Major League Baseballs San Diego Padres, and the Kansas City Royals; several players for other MLB teams visiting San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles from both the American and National Leagues; many players of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, and players of other NFL teams over his career.

Dr. O’Shea was an “Exclusive Provider” for Scripps Clinic of Rancho Bernardo, San Diego: one of the only offices in the county to be contracted by the large Medical group for direct referrals for disc injury, back and neck pain, occupational and sports injuries. Golf Injury evaluation, treatment, and prevention with an emphasis on biomechanics of the golf swing and improving the golfers functional ability through soft tissue treatment, manipulation, flexibility, and sport specific exercise.

Active Release Techniques® (ART®)

Dr. O'Shea's primary treatment is Active Release Technique® (ART®) which is most widely known among professional and elite athletes for it's fast and effective help with sports injuries and performance care. There are over 500 ART® protocols for the spine, upper and lower extremity, and the most common peripheral nerve entrapment sites. Certified providers must learn all these protocols which requires expert knowledge of anatomy and neurology, highly skilled palpation, and a thorough understanding of clinical biomechanics.

ART® is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue system/movement-based technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART®. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

 

ART® was developed specifically to deal with muscle and fascial injury and dysfunction. The use and abuse of the human body can damage muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. In response, your body tries to repair the damaged area. The build-up of scar tissue over time results in the formation of fibrous adhesions, which prevent muscles and joints from moving freely. These adhesions can often entrap a nerve or refer pain to other parts of the body. 

There are 4 types of processes that occur:
Injuries: Like tearing from an acute muscle pull or strain.
Micro Trauma: The accumulation of small tears in tissue from over-use.
Hypoxia: Low oxygen levels in chronically tight tissues like trigger points.
Excessive Friction: Occurs in areas of chronic tension, overuse and in fibrotic build-up.

Over time, the build-up of scar tissue adhesions will cause noticeable symptoms like pain and weakness, chronic tightness, burning and/or aches; and a gradual limited range of motion develops. However, long before symptoms are felt, athletic performance is influenced - this is especially true for distance athletes.

Performance Care

ART® Performance Care is a unique approach to helping you perform at your best while training and competing. Efficient movement is the key to optimum performance.

When your muscles are moving fully and freely, your performance will be enhanced. For example, the extreme demands of Ironman training and competition can damage muscle.

When muscle is overused, it tends to shorten. This is a result of fibrous scar tissue, or adhesions, that build up within muscles and between muscle fibers. Normal muscle acts like a bundle of rubber bands - able to shorten and lengthen freely. When a muscle is overused, scar tissue adhesions build up.

ART® is a state-of-the-art soft tissue treatment system designed specifically to identify and treat scar tissue adhesions. While it is the treatment of choice for injuries to muscles, tendons, nerves, etc, ART® Performance Care is unique in the healthcare industry because it allows an athlete to have his or her performance evaluated, biomechanically, and corrected through treatment.

As a trained and certified ART® biomechanics provider Dr. O'Shea will observe a runner and determine which muscles are hindering the performance. By combining this evaluation with patented ART® treatment protocols, ART® providers can treat scar tissue adhesions and help an athlete perform at his or her best.

Chiropractic

Dr. O'Shea's practice is primarily focused on using ART® soft tissue treatments, as well as other soft tissue and joint mobilization techniques to improve stability and function.

 

However in certain cases, Chiropractic adjustments or joint manipulation be indicated as well and people may choose what they are most comfortable with. The vast majority of patients are referred from medical doctors, nurses, physical therapists and even other chiropractors.
Soft tissue and joint mobilization and manipulation has been repeatedly shown to be effective for a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. If you have not been adjusted before, and Dr. O'Shea determines that manipulation and/or mobilizations will speed up your improvement, you may decide then your preferences.

 

 

Physical Therapy

Dr. O'Shea works directly with Physical therapists to provide additional services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and help restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health.

Treatment often includes exercise, especially for patients who have been immobilized or who lack flexibility, strength, or endurance. Physical therapists encourage patients to use their muscles to increase their flexibility and range of motion. More advanced exercises focus on improving strength, balance, coordination, and endurance. The goal is to improve how an individual functions at work and at home.