Whether you're researching a condition, weighing your treatment options, or trying to understand what you're feeling, Dr. Paul Helms writes every article here to give you a clear, honest answer.
The three articles below answer the questions we hear most often at Helms Performance.
Shoulder pain often involves joint restrictions, soft tissue adhesions, or both. Chiropractic care addresses both. Here's how it works and what patients can expect from treatment at Helms Performance.
Both use thin filaments, but the goals and clinical framework are completely different. This comparison breaks down when each approach is the right choice, and how they can complement each other.
Research supports chiropractic care for sciatica, particularly when the cause is a disc problem or joint dysfunction in the lumbar spine. Here's what the evidence shows and what treatment looks like at Helms Performance.
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A clear, plain-English explanation of how dry needling works, what the procedure actually involves, and who benefits most. If you've been curious but weren't sure where to start, this is the guide.
Most patients feel a brief muscle twitch and a sense of release rather than sharp pain. This article explains what to expect during a session and why the temporary sensation is usually worth it.
A plain-English explanation of the physiology behind dry needling, including why targeting trigger points relieves muscle pain and how the treatment affects the nervous system.
The short answer is yes, with specific licensing requirements. This article covers Maryland's regulatory framework and what it means for patients seeking dry needling treatment at Helms Performance.
Tight hip and glute muscles often compress the sciatic nerve and add to radiating leg pain. Dry needling those areas can meaningfully reduce symptoms when combined with a broader treatment plan.
Coverage depends on your plan, how the service is billed, and whether a referral is involved. Here's exactly what to ask your insurance company before booking your first session.
Mild soreness and a brief muscle twitch are the most common responses to dry needling. This guide explains what's normal, what's temporary, and what to watch for after your treatment.
Both treat soft tissue restrictions, but the method, tools, and patient experience differ significantly. Here's how to know which approach fits your situation, and when providers use both.
Plantar fasciitis is often driven by tight calf and foot tissue that stretching alone won't fully address. Active Release Technique targets these adhesions directly to relieve heel pain at its source.
Neck pain frequently has a soft tissue component, not just a joint problem. ART addresses the adhesions in the muscles and fascia of the neck that are keeping pain in place and limiting movement.
Myofascial release works on the connective tissue surrounding your muscles, not just the muscles themselves. This guide explains what it treats, what it feels like, and who benefits most.
Foam rolling, lacrosse balls, and targeted stretching can all support your recovery between sessions. This guide covers what works for common problem areas and what you can safely skip.
Manual therapy is a hands-on clinical approach using joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques. This guide explains how it differs from massage, when it's most effective, and what to expect.
Chiropractic focuses on the spine and joints. Physical therapy focuses on movement and strength. Here's a clear breakdown, and why having both disciplines in one practice matters for your recovery.
Resistance training is one of the most important things women over 50 can do for bone density, metabolism, and long-term joint health. This guide covers how to start safely and progress well.
The research is consistent: strength training in your 60s, 70s, and beyond reduces fall risk, improves balance, and helps you stay independent longer. Here's how to begin, wherever you're starting from.
Runners who strength train get injured less often and recover faster. This guide covers the key exercises, the right frequency, and how to fit strength work into a training week without overloading.
Muscle mass raises your metabolic rate and changes how your body handles energy over time. Here's how a well-designed strength program supports long-term weight management, not just short-term results.
The honest answer depends on your goals, your experience, and what you're actually looking for. Here's a straightforward framework for evaluating whether one-on-one coaching makes sense for you.
FST is an assisted stretching method that works on the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding your muscles and joints. It reaches layers that static stretching typically misses, with longer-lasting results.
Therapeutic massage differs from a spa massage in one important way: the technique is chosen to treat a specific problem. Here's what that looks like in practice and what to ask for at your appointment.
Deep tissue is one technique within therapeutic massage, not a separate category. This guide clears up the terminology and helps you know what to request for common conditions and goals.
Finding a comfortable sleep position when sciatic nerve pain is active can feel impossible. These positions, based on what we know about nerve tension, can help you get through the night more comfortably.
Lower right back pain usually points to one of several specific structures. This guide walks through the most common sources, what each one feels like, and how each responds to treatment.
Upper back pain is often driven by the thoracic spine, the rib joints, or the muscles between the shoulder blades. Here's how to identify the source and what helps most for each pattern.
Some causes of lower back pain are more common in women, including sacroiliac joint issues, hormonal effects on ligament laxity, and postpartum changes. This guide explains each pattern clearly.
That persistent ache between your shoulder blades usually comes from the thoracic spine, the rib joints, or the rhomboids. Here's how to identify which structure is involved and what to do about it.
Pain that appears without a clear cause often comes from overuse, postural changes, or a developing restriction. Here's what sudden, unexplained shoulder pain typically means and when to seek care.
Left-sided neck pain can come from the cervical joints, surrounding muscles, or nerve roots. This guide explains the most common sources, what each one feels like, and when to see a provider.
Where exactly your knee hurts gives meaningful information about what's causing it. This guide maps the most common pain locations to their most likely sources and next steps for treatment.
Pain at the back of the knee often points to the popliteal space, a tight hamstring, or referred pain from the hip or lumbar spine. Here's how to sort out the cause and what helps most.
Pain on the inside of the knee commonly involves the medial collateral ligament, the pes anserine bursa, or the medial meniscus. Here's how to identify which one and what treatment looks like.
Pain that appears specifically when bending the knee often points to the patella, the patellar tendon, or structures inside the joint. This guide explains the most common causes and what to do next.
Yes, and it's a commonly missed connection. The sciatic nerve runs through the leg, and compression at the lower back can produce symptoms that feel entirely like a knee problem, not a back one.
Hip flexor pain is felt at the front of the hip and into the thigh. It's especially common in runners, cyclists, and anyone who sits for long periods. Here's what drives it and how to address it.
Lower back pain and hip pain frequently occur together because the structures involved overlap significantly. Understanding that connection is often the key to treating both effectively at the same time.
Yes, and it's one of the most common reasons patients arrive at Helms Performance with months of unexplained ear symptoms. The TMJ sits directly in front of the ear canal, and the referral pattern is well documented.
Gentle jaw stretches and targeted soft tissue work can reduce TMJ symptoms between treatment sessions. Here are the exercises Dr. Helms most commonly recommends, with clear instructions for each.
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Dr. Paul Helms works one-on-one with every patient in Bethesda, MD. Whether you're dealing with something you read about here or something you haven't found an answer to yet, we'll help you get back to the activities you love.
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