What follows are some of the questions we hear asked most frequently about Gabe Luban's unique treatment style and philosophy. If you have a question that has not been answered here, please feel free to contact us here at the clinic.
What disorders do you treat?
Gabe has experience treating any kind of physical, orthopedic limitation, regardless of cause. He has seen everything from chronic pain to acute injuries; from pre-surgical (and sometimes surgery prevention!), to post-surgical rehabilitation. Many physical limitations are secondary to other diseases and disorders, and others may come as a result of other practitioners' treatments. Bottom line: If you are experiencing acute or chronic pain, regardless of cause, you should give Gabe a try.
What is your technique?
Gabe's technique is a unique combination of rehabilitation, patient education, and a form of soft tissue release based on the work of Nate Schulman, RPT. As a young therapist, Schulman accidentally discovered the power of this form of deep tissue work while working with a patient who didn’t respond to any form of traditional therapy. Over the next 56 years of his career, Schulman honed and expanded this technique, while developing a loyal following of patients and practitioners. Gabe studied for many years under Schulman and his acolytes, as well as morphing the technique into one unique to his own skillset.
For more on the Schulman Technique, see below.
What is Schulman Therapy?
The Schulman Method is a unique form of deep tissue therapy that often succeeds where more traditional physical therapies have failed. Its immediate impact is based on the following theory:
- 1Nerves, veins, bones and arteries are all surrounded by muscles.
- 2When muscles get too tight (cemented, frozen, bound) either from an injury, under-use or overuse, the nerves veins and arteries get squeezed, causing limited circulation. Result: swelling, pain, dysfunction and alignment problems.
- 3If the muscles can be deeply released, relaxed and lengthened, pain is alleviated and function is restored. This is the gift of Schulman Therapy.
Schulman Therapy gets to the core of the problem by moving muscle, bone and connective tissue at a level unequaled by any other method. If you've tried deep tissue massage, Rolfing, energy work, physical therapy, chiropractic and other forms of soft tissue treatment, you'll quickly recognize the uniqueness of the Schulman Method.
The origin of this technique was an experimental discovery by its founder, Nate Schulman, R.P.T. During the course of his conventional physical therapy practice, a client who didn't respond to traditional methods challenged him to come up with something that would work. Once he discovered this unique approach, Schulman stopped using his machines, hot/cold treatments, and traditional physical therapy routines to devote the remainder of his 56 working years to honing his new, extraordinarily successful approach. From herniated disks, carpal tunnel syndrome, and crippling arthritis, to fibromyalgia and lupus, Schulman helped patients who couldn't previously see an end to their pain.
Courtesy of Michael Canann / Schulman Therapy © 2000
What happens during a treatment?
You will likely sit or lie down while the Gabe uses his forearm, body weight and specialized angles and pressures to release bound tissue. The forearm is used because of its remarkable flexibility and sensitivity. By varying the position and angle, he can selectively treat large, broad surfaces or small, localized areas of restriction with exacting precision. Because joints and tissue systems are treated in tandem, patients experience immediate structural changes; they recover quickly and easily achieve permanent improvements.
How does it work?
The focus of Gabe's work is on the soft tissues, including muscles, connective tissue, and skin. Postural imbalances, trauma, disease, pain or weakness alter soft tissue pliability and range of motion, causing conditions such as muscular spasms, muscle or connective tissue hardening, thickening or adhesions, scar tissue development or contractures. Gabe's work restores full mobility by releasing these tissue restrictions and facilitating the redistribution of interstitial fluids. You will see and feel immediate changes in tissue pliability, joint mobility, range of motion and significant pain reduction.
What is a normal course of treatment?
While most acute disorders respond favorably within three treatments, every body is different. The number of treatments needed depends upon the nature of the disorder and how long you have had the condition. It is our opinion that a good practitioner should be able to determine the course of treatment at the first appointment, and that's what you can expect.