Treatments and Services

Dr. Ruddy employs a wide range of proven techniques for each individual case. Below, you’ll find a brief explanation of the methods he uses in his office.

Active Release Technique (ART)

 
ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

 

How do overuse conditions occur?
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
  • acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc),
  • accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
  • not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia).

 

Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.


What is an ART treatment like?

Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

 

These treatment protocols - over 500 specific moves - are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach.



 Chiropractic Manipulation

Chiropractic is a drug-free, non-surgical approach in dealing with pain and dysfunction while also promoting full body wellness. Chiropractic care restores health and prevents injury by improving the structural integrity of the skeletal system and improving poor posture and correcting faulty movement patterns.

 

Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship of structure and function (as coordinated by the nervous system), and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of your health.  A Chiropractic adjustment uses of a specific force in a precise direction that helps normalize spinal function, increases range of motion and breaks up scar tissue around the joints of the spine. 

 

 Mechanical Traction (Triton DTS)

Mechanical Traction is a very successful non-surgical procedure for relieving low back, neck, arm, and leg pain. It is also a highly effective treatment for patients suffering with carpal tunnel syndrome and herniated or degenerated discs.

Mechanical Traction is a highly successful alternative to surgery for disc injuries. Mechanical Traction reduces the pressure on discs through a gentle traction force, allowing for improved circulation and exchange of fluids within the disc. 

 

 Individualized Rehabiliation Programs

Without properly addressing muscle weakness and imbalance, patients are likely to exacerbate chronic conditions.  Our offices are located within two of the highest rated health clubs on Long Island.  Utilizing this unique setting, we are able to offer our patients the latest in rehabilitation and education.  Personal Trainers are also available for your training needs.

 

  Designs for Health Vitamins and Nutraceuticals

Nutrient deficiencies can lead to a number of health problems including chronic pain, fatigue, weight gain, and mood disorders.  Dr. Ruddy proudly offers and prescribes Designs for Health vitamins and nutraceuticals to his patients.  He is happy to provide guidance on implementing the best vitimin and nutraceutical regime to best suit your needs.  Nutrient protocols are offered addressing  detoxification, leaky gut and digestion, weight loss resistance, immune system response ,  athletic performance, as well as general wellness and anti-aging.
 

 Custom Foot Orthotics
Custom Orthotics can help greatly reduce foot pain, knee and hip pain and even lower back pain.  Our feet are like the foundation of a house – if they are “out of balance” then it effects the rest of the chain up to our spine. Orthotics are not needed by everyone. Often treatment and exercises can be done to help restore better support to the foot. But there are times when the structure of the foot cannot be improved upon enough to off-set the abnormal forces going to the joints of your knees, hips and spine. In these cases a custom-fit orthotic can be quite valuable. Especially for people who are on their feet a lot!
At Full Potential Sports Care, Dr. Ruddy utilizes the Sole Supports brand.  Sole Supports custom orthotics are a unique design in orthotic engineering. Unlike many other orthotics, Sole Supports support the foot and arch throughout the entire gait cycle. The average orthotic provides support for only 10-20% of the time.
Sole Supports have an inherent flexibility providing shock absorption during dynamic activity (jumping, running, etc.).
The orthotic shell is extremely durable and all of the correction is built into the device versus using external posting like many other orthotic brands. The external posting can wear down over time and then the orthotics need to be replaced much sooner.
Sole Supports are the orthotic of choice for the Broncos football team, as well as many other high level athletes. They were named to be the best orthotic for an athlete through research conducted at the University of Georgia.