Integrated Methods used

Active Therapies include

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  • Neuromuscular Reeducation 
  • Therapeutic Exercise 
  • Intentional breathing techniques

The active therapies used are based on a synthesis of numerous approaches. Active training asks the patient to learn about the body’s position and movement in order to empower comfortable levels of increasing abilities in daily activities and postures as well as increasing overall awareness of the body. The patient is encouraged to participate both during office visits as well as outside of the clinic.  

Educational Approaches include

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  • Breath awareness and mindfulness techniques
  • Pain Neuroscience Education, describing the latest research on chronic pain, helping the patient ‘re-conceptualize’ pain. 
  • Cognition-targeted Neuromuscular Training, which includes use of movement imagery and addressing thoughts about pain. 
  • Self-management strategies to better manage musculoskeletal health. 

Passive Therapies include

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  • Osteopathic Manipulation/Manual Medicine 
  • Medical Acupuncture 
  • Forms of medical massage (sometimes used in conjunction with the first two)
  • Vibration and Light therapies 

These are especially important when there are significant muscular and connective tissue ‘trigger points’ present and can in many cases help reduce the perception of pain.

dr. Tunkel's Brief Bio

 

Richard Tunkel, M.D.

 

After practicing as a Chiropractor for several years, Dr. Tunkel received his medical degree from SUNY HSC at Brooklyn in 1987. He then received his specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation through Cornell Medical Center in NYC. He became board certified in 1992. After years of academic medical practice at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and NYC/Health and Hospital Center with Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, he moved to California in 2003 and subsequently entered private practice using predominantly non-pharmacological interventions for those suffering from chronic pain and related symptoms.

 

Throughout his career, he has become increasingly involved in and received extensive instruction on the application of natural methods of healing. His areas of expertise include postural/biomechanical retraining, manual medicine, medical acupuncture, and mindfulness training. Dr. Tunkel’s major interest has been the healing of body, mind and spirit in those suffering from chronic pain and other functionally limiting conditions. His goal is to help such individuals improve the quality of their lives by decreasing pain and other symptoms and thus improving participation in the fulfilling adventure that is life.