MUA

What does “MUA” Mean?

MUA stands for “Manipulation Under Anesthesia.”  It is a non-surgical procedure where the patient is placed under anesthesia in order to do break up fibrotic tissue connections which are interfering with the proper function of joints and muscles, using both manipulation and muscle-stretching techniques.

This is done to help you improve, or even possibly restore, full range of motion and flexibility, and to reduce chronic pain conditions.

How Long Has MUA Been Used?

Its origins trace back to the 1930’s, and it is an established and recognized health procedure.  It has been shown to be highly successful in treating musculoskeletal conditions such as:

* Chronic neck pain
* Chronic upper back pain
* Chronic lower back pain
* Chronic extremity joint pain such as “frozen shoulder” and knee conditions
* Chronic muscle spasms
* Long-term pain syndromes
* Painful adhesions (fibrous connections) in your muscles, ligaments, and tendons
* Nerve entrapment
* Fibromyalgia

Why Would I Consider MUA?

If you have been receiving regular professional chiropractic care or physical therapy for at least two months for certain neck, back, extremity joint or spinal conditions, with little or no improvement in reducing pain or increasing ranges of motion, then you may be a candidate for MUA.  The procedure may be appropriate for you even if you have had previous invasive treatments such as spinal injections or back surgery.

Do I Need My Physician To Do The Procedure?

No, but your physician should be consulted prior to pursuing MUA treatment.  You may have an underlying health condition that may not allow you to undergo an MUA procedure.  Your MUA specialist and your physician must agree that it is both safe for you and in your best interest.

Is MUA Complicated?

Not at all!  This 3-day procedure is very simple.  Each day you are put under LIGHT anesthesia in order for the MUA specialist to perform the manipulations and stretches without you resisting or feeling any pain.  During the entire procedure you are asleep.  The manipulations are similar to regular chiropractic adjustments you would receive in a standard office setting, except that your body cannot guard or resist during the manipulation.

The majority of the work is aimed at painlessly stretching muscles and breaking up fibrotic tissue (scar tissue) connections in the muscles and joints to restore proper function to these tissues.  This allows normalizing of joint motion and muscle stretchability, thereby restoring proper body function and breaking the pain cycle.

I Don’t Like Anesthesia.  What Do I Need To Know?

Many people have experienced negative side effects with anesthesia when they are completely “put under” in a regular surgical procedure.  These negative side effects and feelings result when you are completely rendered unconscious by powerful narcotic drugs used.

With MUA, however, you are only given a form of anesthesia commonly used in colonoscopies and dental work.  Although you not will be conscious during the procedure, the effects of the drugs are not long-lasting.

Typically patients walk out of the center only 20 to 30 minutes after the procedure is finished because the anesthetic wears off very quickly and has virtually no side effects.  The benefit of your body having restored freedom of movement causes many patients to state that they experience a terrific feeling afterward.  Oftentimes, however, patients experience some muscular soreness after the procedure which is quite common.

For safety purposes, of course, MUA patients are required to have someone accompany them to the surgical center and drive them home.  The procedure is typically done for 3 consecutive days so that your body adapts to the changes made, and to help reinforce and stabilize the improvements you will experience as a result of the procedure.

Who Administers The Anesthesia?

The personnel involved in each MUA procedure includes a Board Certified Anesthesiologist, the MUA-certified physicians (M.D., D.O. or D.C.), and the skilled nursing staff at the facility where the procedure is performed.  Not all physicians are trained to perform MUA procedures.  The MUA specialist must be certified, experienced, and accredited at surgical centers that specialize in MUA procedures.

Let’s Say I Decide To Do An MUA Procedure With You.  What then?

After the three days of MUA treatments, you will be prescribed a routine of follow-up visits for post-MUA therapy.  The vast majority of MUA patients report tremendous increases in range of motion, improvement in areas which were once extremely painful, and an overall increase in their quality of life.  For the first time in ages, many patients feel as if they can do activities they had “written off” to what they once did in their youth.

The post-procedure recommendations and therapy are as important as the MUA procedure itself.  Once you have completed your MUA procedures, you must follow these recommendations in order to maintain the procedure’s benefits.

What Are My Next Steps?

Remember that MUA is not for everybody.  Let’s attempt to help you first with proper chiropractic and wellness care!  I genuinely want you to be healthy and benefit from a properly-administered chiropractic care program.  This may be more than enough to have you feeling better, healthier, and more alive!

If, however, you do not respond to regular chiropractic care, or if you have special circumstances which warrant considering MUA therapy, then we will talk about your next steps.  I want you to feel confident in referring me to your friends and family, so I will make sure that you are not rushed into any program or procedure which may not be in your best interest.

Your next step is to call or e-mail me.  My phone number and e-mail address is at the top of the page, and you may send me an e-mail directly through our website by clicking the “Contact” link near the top of the page.

Thank you and I look forward to helping you live better and healthier,

Dr. Shawn Stipich

For appointments call: (214) 267-8506
E-mail: askdrshawn@yahoo.com