What Is FAKTR?
Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehabilitation, known by its acronym FAKTR (pronounced like “factor”), is a comprehensive chiropractic rehabilitation method.
FAKTR uses different techniques and movement protocols to create a treatment plan unique to the problem, injury, and patient. The underlying philosophy uses muscle movements, exercises, and treatments to restore mobility and reduce pain.
How it Works:
As we said earlier, FAKTR treatment is actually a number of treatments and modalities. Some of the most common FAKTR protocols include:
- Both manual and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization techniques (IASTM)
- Joint and/or muscle flossing
- Myofascial release
- Taping and/or cupping
- Functional movements, training, and therapeutic exercises
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is common with FAKTR treatment plans. Essentially, small metal or plastic instruments massage and free up restricted tissues in problem area(s). This works to break down scar tissue & promote blood flow, which works to improve movement, reduce pain & stiffness, and speed up healing.
This type of soft tissue manipulation helps to aid in proper recovery of all parts of the area, including the alignment of fibers & connective tissues.
Not only does this help patients during the healing process, but it can also lead to better overall healing, leaving the problem area strong once recovery is done.
Taping with kinesiology tape helps to stabilize and support muscles without interfering with natural muscle movements or healing process.
This type of specialty tape also helps speed up the healing process by helping to reduce swelling, improve circulation of nutrients, and using support to prevent re-injury. Kinesiology tape is incredibly helpful to stabilize and guide both muscles and joints to move in a normal range of motion.
Conditions Treated
Patients with soft tissue injuries, like muscle strains, sprains, and tendon & ligament issues can find great success with FAKTR. These could be either acute or chronic conditions. Specific examples of conditions treated with FAKTR include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Shin splints
- ITB syndrome
- Sports conditions and injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Surgical recovery
As you can see, a wide number of injuries and conditions can be treated with FAKTR. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so popular. Because it isn’t just one protocol, the methods used can be catered to each patient, injury, or the condition in question. Benefits of FAKTR
One of the major benefits of FAKTR is one we just explained: versatility.
FAKTR is an umbrella term for many treatment protocols that work with movement, soft tissue manipulation & massage, etc.
So, for example, during your appointment with Dr. Dillon, he will ask you about your condition, feel & evaluate the area, and propose a treatment plan with FAKTR protocols to help you and your condition. This versatile treatment can be molded and changed to fit your needs. There is no standard approach to care and FAKTR allows Dr. Dillon to provide unique care that fits your needs.
FAKTR treatments have a number of other potential benefits, including:
- Faster healing & recovery time
- Can be used on all ages and body types
- Great for athletes
- Improved mobility
- Reduced pain, inflammation, and stiffness
- Improved circulation & reduce excess blood flow to injured area
FAKTR also works to stimulate you neurologically. By performing specific movements and exercises, you can “train” your muscles in a way that will help with healing, reduce pain, and reduce your risk of injury later on.