Services Offered At Robert Martin, MD Clinic In Wasilla Alaska

Spine Intervention Treatments
As a member of the International Spine Intervention Society, I adhere to the standard treatments of spinal injections for herniated disks, degenerative facet joint problems, low back pain, sacroiliac joint pain etc. We use a state of the art fluoroscope ( a form of a live X-ray ) to assist us in imaging the affected area of the spine and thus allowing us to better position the right medicine at the exact location of where the problem is. We are one of the few offices in the state of Alaska that is set up to do this work in our very own procedure room in our office. This greatly reduces the cost to the patient, travel time and also allows state of the art safety and accuracy for the patient.

Sports Medicine
As a lifetime active athlete, I have always had a genuine interest in sports and sports injuries. I have been directly involved in treating children, high school, college, professional, and Olympic athletes since 1982.( for a detailed list of my background please link to RESUME )

Recreational injuries as well as work related accidents and injuries of daily life all fall into this same category. So, in our clinic we often treat average people with the same approach as an athlete, since the healing nature of the body recognizes no difference between the athlete and the non-athlete.

I utilize a biomechanical evaluation to discern individual differences and nuances in each patient to attempt an optimal approach to improving their health. Therefore, after an appropriate history and physical exam, I commonly may include a biomechanical evaluation as well. For example, here are a few common findings I would evaluate ;

•    Excessive foot pronation
•    Increased bowing at the knee joint
•    Rotation of the hips
•    Imbalances in the pelvis
•    Short leg syndrome
•    Scoliosis
•    Spinal mal-alignment
•    Muscle imbalances
•    Neurological imbalances

X-rays in our office may then be taken. We evaluate the x-rays with the patients, so you too can “see” what problems may exist. We may get a specialist in Radiology to add to the diagnosis if needed.

Treatment can then be discussed. Here are some of the most common procedures that we use regularly:

1.    Spinal or peripheral joint manipulation- some health professionals call “ hands on” joint manipulation by a variety of other terms like mobilization, manipulation, adjustments, etc. I take a varied approach on neck, back, elbow, wrist, hand, knee and ankle manipulation to correct “dysfunction” in these critical structures. We attempt to restore natural function of the spine and related joints by this treatment. This can be invaluable to the athlete, or injured patient, for optimum recovery and performance.

2.    Myofascial Release: this is a soft tissue treatment designed to release restrictions in the muscles, tendons, fascia, etc which may be too tight or partially restricted.

3.    Stretching: We often prescribe a home program individually for each patient.

4.    Strengthening: specific muscle strengthening and neuromuscular balancing exercises are often prescribed

5.    Modalities: We often utilize the Electroacuscope for acupuncture points and nerve problems. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome often responds well to this. Neck pain with burning or stinging down the arms from cervical discs and degenerative joints is often treated as well.

6.    Myopulse: This is an effective bioelectric stimulation and modulating therapy. We have had over 15+ years of terrific results treating soft tissue problems like tennis elbow, muscle “knots” in the neck and trapezius muscles. It was used in Sports therapy when Terry Bradshaw developed chronic elbow pain from his passing days with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Joan Benoit, our Olympic Marathoner from years past, utilized myopulse therapy successfully to help rehab her knee just prior to the Olympic marathon trials.

Other common modalities we use : Infrared therapy, Hot packs, Cold packs, Magnetron- a German intense bioelectric magnetic therapy Interferential stimulation therapy, ultrasound, etc.

7.    Injections: Dr. Janet Travel, President John F. Kennedy’s personal physician, popularized this treatment over 40 years ago. Some times the damage to soft tissue creates scars and a “sludge-like” problem where the tissue layers almost congeal together and form “ knots”. If usual rehabilitation with stretching, manipulation, strengthening, etc has not gotten us out of the woods, this can be a tremendously valuable treatment to “ break through” the problem so we can get on with a better healing response.

Then, I find that using my hands with manipulation and going back to strength programs helps even more.

8.    Neural Therapy: this is a virtually unknown, but unbelievably powerful treatment involving minor injections of anesthetic agent to unlock dysfunction in nerve tissue. The Huneke brothers in Germany stumbled across this by serendipity years ago. Sometimes by combining this acupuncture type treatment with using homeopathic and local anesthetics, we can improve slow to heal, or recurring painful syndromes.

9.    Prolotherapy: this is absolutely one of the most powerful healing approaches to medicine I have ever seen! Dr. Hacket showed in the 1940s on the basis of his treatment of over 1,600 back patients with chronic back pain, that he could improve their low back problems 80% of the time using a healing injection therapy designed to STRENGTHEN LIGAMENTS without surgery! Since I have personally been treated numerous times by my colleagues in sports medicine with this, I can attest to the phenomenal improvement of my own sports injuries in my elbow, low back, neck, shoulder, knee.

Athletes are subjected to overuse, partially damaged, torn , stretched inelastic tissue problems. Sometimes this can be made worse with excessive or inappropriate adjustments or manipulation or even stretching! This tissue can then become a chronic source of pain, weakness, giving out, locking up, getting stuck, etc!

Proliferative therapy can potentially increase ( without surgery ) the thickness, strength, and the stability of any joint in the body as well as any muscle in the body which has been injured.

10.    Medications: athletes and injured workers, etc often need temporary help with muscle relaxants, pain medications. We incorporate medication and the judicious use of cortisone and injections if needed as part of a total treatment program. Most of the time this is a short term need.

11.    Protection: we may use splints, orthopedic casts for fractures, braces, taping, slings, etc.

12.    Prevention: after the patent has improved and returned to work or sport participation, we continue on with home programs or other suggestions for future prevention. We may use splints, castings, foot orthotics, braces, taping techniques, etc here as well.

13.    Nutrition: As a alternative health care provider for over 20 years, we often use natural food supplements to tailor a optimum wellness and healing program for all patients. Some of our Olympic patients have had phenomenal personal success with this. I was the personal volunteer sponsor for a 3 time Olympian in women’s speedskating and we were extremely pleased with her successful career.

Contact us at:

Robert Martin, M.D. APC
Wasilla, Ak. 99654
501 N. Knik St.    tel: 907-376-5284
fax: 907-373-2464
email: rmartin@robertmartinmd.com