From the Therapeutic Touch Editor's Desk: The following is the first in a series of interviews with pain management specialists from around the country. In this issue, I am pleased to present author and international lecturer James Waslaski.
Erik Dalton, Ph.D.
E.D. Describe your instructional approach to pain management.
J.W. Erik, I think you best described my work earlier this year when we taught in Costa Rica together. You compared my teaching method to Japanese engineers in the auto industry. I try to take the best of everyone's work and blend new protocols and techniques into a more efficient pain management formula that works best for me and my students. I am a life long learner and have acquired many skills by aligning with manual therapy professionals such as The Masters pain management group, osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and leading physicians. I am always open to adding new tools to my toolbox of techniques. My sessions always begin with thorough functional assessment routines to determine the exact cause or pathology of each musculoskeletal complaint. By collecting information about previous treatment modalities conducted by other medical professionals, I am able to avoid tunnel vision. Using a structural approach to bodywork, I blend multiple advanced disciplines such as myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, joint capsule work, scar tissue mobilization, myoskeletal alignment, p.n.f., stretching, and strength training. I focus on balancing every muscle group around each joint in the body, which involves lengthening shortened muscles, and then stimulating and strengthening weak opposing muscle groups. I provide joint space throughout the body including a unique approach for releasing frozen hips and shoulders. I have also developed a special hands-on protocol that brings relief from all forms of tendon pain. Each and every client is empowered to take responsibility for the management of their particular musculoskeletal problem. All clients are given personalized home care instructions based on my assessment of their specific condition (precise stretches and strengthening exercises). However, I never hesitate to refer out to other pain management experts if I think that other specialties such as craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, etc. might enhance my structural therapy and facilitate healing.
E.D. What have you discovered to be the primary source of pain in your practice?
J.W. Definitely, prolonged poor postures, repetitive motions, and poorly designed work stations. My theory is that if a group of muscles shorten enough times through repetitive motions or poor postural patterns, the shortened muscle group must be stretched back to its normal resting length. Many people are stretching the wrong muscle groups in a futile attempt to eliminate pain patterns. For example, many computer addicts come in complaining of "between the shoulder-blade pain" but insist on continuing to stretch this area. They need to learn that the lower traps, middle rhomboids, and posterior rotator cuff are already weak and overstretched. I encourage them to concentrate on stretching the shortened muscles in front of the neck and shoulders. Many of these postural problems could be eliminated by simply altering position of their work stations. Patient compliance and precise home care is critical. I use the work taught by a dear friend and mentor, Aaron Mattes, to help clients help themselves.
E.D. Who has been the biggest influence in your professional career?
J.W. One of my early mentors and former client was Tony Robbins. He taught me the power of positive thinking and encouraged me to set my goals high. I became very passionate about learning from the best in the world because of my involvement with Tony. Another mentor and dear friend is Aaron Mattes, author of Active Isolated Stretching. Aaron is one of the members of our "Pain Management Masters" group which is sponsored by Performance Health. He took me under his wing and motivated me in the early years of my career. At that time, I knew very little about sports therapy and stretching. He treated me like an equal and made me believe in myself. He unselfishly shared ideas and strategies for personal success at a time when many leading people in our field would not have done that. Aaron and his wife Judy are wonderful people and dear friends. Aaron is truly a role model for all.
E.D. Based on your experience, what advice would you offer new therapists entering the pain management field?
J.W. Learn to keep an open mind to the multiple disciplines in our industry and learn from the leaders. Don't be afraid to ask for help and direction from the teachers you respect. Become a life long learner and keep adding to your tool box of techniques. But most importantly, stay humble as you climb the ladder of success. Please give credit to your mentors for the work they have developed and are willing to share with you. Always remember that we are not the healers; we are here to facilitate healing in our clients. Graduating from a quality massage school offers students a good foundation for entrance into this wonderful world of touch therapy, but is not a stopping ground. Choose to study with the best, set your goals high, and always believe in yourself.
E.D. What provides the greatest personal satisfaction in your practice?
J.W. I have received hundreds of personal e-mails from clients relating how their lives have been dramatically changed because a student of mine has remedied their complicated pain condition. I have seen how improvement in a patient's life spreads to family and friends and I only hope that that domino effect may help to positively change the world. I also get e-mails from students telling me that my work has made them confident and successful in their practice, and as a result they are living life with a deep passion. I am true friends with many of "The Masters" educational group and that means so much to me. It is personally rewarding when I consider the enormous effect my 40 seminar per year schedule may be having on people's lives throughout the world.no financial compensation can ever match that feeling.
E.D. What products do you find useful in achieving desired therapeutic outcomes?
J.W. Over the years, I have been asked to promote hundreds of products in our industry, but I choose only to promote a few products that have had a profound therapeutic effect in my practice.
The first is a product that I helped develop called Prossage Heat. It was developed by chemists at Performance Health as an all natural lubricant with perfect viscosity and heating elements that enhance all types of deep tissue therapy. It is the only lubricant that I use. I feel that it embellishes every treatment I perform on clients presenting with complicated pain conditions. I also support the use of the Comfort Craft table because it helps the therapist open up the body while enhancing proper body mechanics. A similar shaped table in a portable model is the Advanta developed by Oakworks. I think it is one of the best portable tables in the industry for strength, accessibility for deep tissue work and encouraging efficient body mechanics. Also, it is very light. Finally one of the best products in our industry to help the therapist assess and release decompressed structures is the Body Support Cushions developed by Tom Owens. I cannot imagine working without the cushions, especially on clients with back pain. The body support cushions have truly taken my therapeutic results to another level.
