We are committed to our patient’s health and we understand the importance of determining the cause of their condition. Many sports-related injuries and chronic conditions are complex in nature and require a comprehensive approach. Your initial appointment with Dr. Justin McLeod consists of a 60-minute evaluation to gather information about your current and past medical history, perform a physical exam, and refer for any necessary imaging or diagnostic tests. Your physical exam includes a postural assessment, gait analysis, biomechanical assessment, neuromuscular evaluation, muscle strength testing, muscle length testing, and joint mobility testing.

Based on the comprehensive data gathered,  Dr. Justin McLeod recommends treatment only if he can provide you with the best possible outcome, otherwise he makes a referral to another health care professional.  We work closely with many of the Santa Cruz top specialists and often co-manage patients.

Your 30-minute follow-up appointments includes: soft tissue mobilization, muscle stretching, physical rehabilitation, and therapeutic modalities, in addition to joint mobilization and manipulation. To allow for a natural transition toward independence, the patient will assume an active role in their treatment by participating in an individualized home exercise program.

This comprehensive approach not only allows for faster resolution of pain, but provides the patient with long-term benefits, not just symptomatic relief.

Due to extensive post-graduate training by Dr. Justin McLeod, he offers a highly specialized and comprehensive care. He provides a full range of services individually designed to rapidly resolve injuries, restore function, and improve performance. Dr. McLeod continues to stay abreast of the latest clinical research and innovative treatment procedures.

One of the primary focus of Dr. Justin McLeod is the soft tissue component of injuries. Soft tissues are: muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursae, fascia, and nerves. The treatment of these structures is known as soft tissue mobilization. When trauma occurs, whether it is a single traumatic event or repeated microtrauma, inflammation follows. The inflammation leads to scar tissue formation within the muscle and between the muscles and the other layers of connective tissue. This scar tissue formation decreases the ability of the muscle to lengthen and contract normally, which leads to a decrease in range of motion. This effect can be very specific within a muscle or can affect the muscle groups very broadly leading to faulty biomechanics that are dysfunctional and inefficient. The scar tissue can also cause pain and can predispose you to re-injury. Additionally, pain can lead to muscle guarding in order to protect the injured area, if prolonged guarding occurs the muscle can loose it’s normal length. The purpose of soft tissue mobilization is to restore the normal texture, tightness, flexibility, and function to the affected tissue. It includes several techniques such as Acupressure Point Therapy (HMT), Active Release Technique® (ART), myofascial release and Graston.

Accumulation of tension in muscles, fascia and tendons manifests as hypersensitive myofascial reflex points know as trigger or acupressure points.  These points act as circuit breakers and when overloaded with excessive tension can produce local or referred pain. There are approximately 700 acupressure points on the human body.  These points are released by deep intermittent digital pressure to a reflex point in a specific direction causing a form of “depolarization. This leads in immediate pain relief and restoration of function allowing the soft tissue to become more flexible and  pliable.

ART® is a patented deep massage technique that treats injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Treatment involves placing tension on the affected tissue and then instructing the patient to move through a range of motion in order to lengthen the tissue and remove microscopic scar tissue. For more information please visit www.activerelease.com.

The Graston Technique uses patented medical instruments that are used to enhance the clinician's ability to detect adhesions, scar tissue or restrictions in the affected areas. Skilled clinicians use the stainless steel instruments to comb over and "catch" on fibrotic tissue, which immediately identifies the areas of restriction. Once the tissue has been identified, the instruments are used to break up the scar tissue so it can be absorbed by the body. www.grastontechnique.com/

PNF stretching is an advanced form of flexibility training and is considered to be the fastest and most effective way to increase static flexibility. Overall, PNF flexibility training reduces post workout soreness, decreases musculoskeletal injury, increases range of motion, and improves muscular strength and coordination.

Joint manipulation is a passive musculoskeletal procedure performed by the doctor to create a stretch to the joint. The effects of joint manipulation include relief from musculoskeletal pain, a shorter recovery time from sprains, an increase in range of motion, and positive influences on the nervous system.