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ARC Physical Therapy : is Committed to Success

May 27, 2018 ● By Carrie Jackson

Kevin Cronin, PT, ATC , JSCC

Advance Rehabilitation Clinics (ARC), with six locations in the Chicago area, offers outpatient orthopedic physical therapy and cutting-edge techniques to effectively treat pains, strains and injuries. ARC is also one of the few clinics in the Chicago area to practice Fascial Counterstrain (FCS), a therapeutic method that works to release spasms in the body which can cause pain and other debilitating symptoms. Owner Kevin Cronin, PT, ATC , JSCC,  established ARC in Elmhurst in 1996. He says, “We use the most advanced treatment techniques available to deliver cost-effective, personalized quality care with exceptional customer service. This commitment provides our patients superior outcomes and lasting solutions for painful and debilitating conditions.”

       The team at ARC treats a multitude of conditions, including arthritis, sports injuries, sciatica, fibromyalgia, fractures, gait and balance disorders, bursitis, TMJ, tendonitis and almost any other kind of injury. “We see people who have been in car accidents, have sports injuries or hurt themselves on the job, but the majority of our patients have conditions that are the result of buildup over time. The brain and body are great at accommodating in the short term, but if the root cause of the problem isn’t addressed, it will just get worse. We work to reverse what caused the damage in the first place and help patients find proper alignment, form and function,” says Cronin.

       ARC has a variety of programs to treat common physical therapy concerns. Their pelvic floor health program addresses incontinence, constipation, pelvic pain and dysfunction, erectile dysfunction and other conditions for both men and women. They have a spine treatment program that includes the latest advances in spine stabilization and neuromuscular reeducation exercises. Their chronic pain and headache program combines FCS, soft tissue mobilization, gentle neuromuscular manual therapy and simple exercises to address the root cause of the pain. “With just a few treatments, our patients are more productive, are able to sleep better, have more energy and start to experience what it’s like to live without debilitating chronic pain,” says Cronin. ARC also offers golf and running evaluation and performance programs, plus therapeutic massage and educational seminars.

       The trademark therapy at ARC is FCS, originally developed by Lawrence Jones, DO, in the 1950s, and more recently improved upon by Brian Tuckey, PT, in response to groundbreaking research unveiled at the First World Fascial Congress in 2006 at Harvard Medical School. FCS is a multi-system approach which uniquely impacts blockages and conditions in the vascular, visceral, nervous and musculoskeletal systems. “FCS uses gentle positioning of the hands and body to compress a strained structure. Shortening the tissue takes pressure off the fascia and allows the body to start to heal. It’s a non-traumatic, manual therapy technique, and when the therapist releases the shortened tissue, the nerve ending and smooth muscle in the fascia are essentially reset, which stops the inflammation and spasm,” says Cronin. 

       Almost any condition, chronic or acute, can benefit from FCS. Organs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, tendons, arteries and lymphatic vessels all can spasm as a natural, protective response to injury. These spasms can lead to pain, tightness, inflammation, edema, headaches, muscle weakness, reduced range of motion and other debilitating conditions. “We are leaning more and more about the importance of fascia, the layer of connective tissue beneath the skin. Almost all of the conditions we treat are related to inflammation in the fascia, and FCS is one of the most effective ways to reduce or eliminate that inflammation,” says Cronin.

       The team at ARC is thoroughly committed to the well-being of their patients. They use private treatment rooms, state-of-the-art technology and the most advanced, hands-on techniques available. In addition, every patient is seen by a skilled and licensed physical therapist, not an aide. “We know that in order for a patient to truly succeed during and after treatment, they need to take ownership of their own healing. We do everything we can to support that, including self-help for home and self-empowerment from our caring and professional staff. We say that if you can brush your teeth or take a prescription medication every day, then you can make time to do a few simple excises,” says Cronin.

       ARC has a strong presence in the community, staying committed to their patient-centered approach. They work with local businesses to provide wellness screening and evaluations, and will provide free consultations with a licensed physical therapist to any patient that comes in. ARC is also able to accommodate patients that may not otherwise be able to afford treatment with customized payment plans, as well as the ARC Grants Wishes program, which provides treatment at no cost to individuals in need. “The team at ARC really makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve. It is a thrill for me to see our patients reclaim their abilities, to function pain-free and to enjoy more active and productive lifestyles,” says Cronin.

ARC Physical Therapy is located at 183 York St., in Elmhurst, with five other locations throughout Chicagoland. For more information, call 630-832-6919, email [email protected] or visit ARCPhysicalTherapy.com.  

Carrie Jackson is an Evanston-based writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings Chicago magazine. Connect with her at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.