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Emerson M Jou

Physiatrist (Physical Medicine)

Dr. Emerson M. Jou is a physiatrist practicing in Honolulu, HI. Dr. Jou is a medical doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. As a physiatrist, Dr. Jou focuses on a patients ability to function, and can treat multiple conditions that affect the brain, nerves, spine, bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. Dr. Jou can diagnose and treat pain that is a result of injury, disease or a disabling condition. Physiatrists often lead a team of physical therapists, occupational therapists and physicians in a patients treatment or prevention plan.
Emerson M Jou
  • Honolulu, HI
  • Accepting new patients

What fixes chronic ankle pain?

Ankle painis primarily derived from fascia strain in the joint space around the ankle,medial/lateral/posterior heel, sometimes involving the anterior dorsum of foot(top of the READ MORE
Ankle painis primarily derived from fascia strain in the joint space around the ankle,medial/lateral/posterior heel, sometimes involving the anterior dorsum of foot(top of the foot). It does not come from injuries to muscles (there is nomuscle around the joint), ligaments or Achilles tendon (they are rarely everinjured) except for traumatic fracture or dislocation. The strained/wrinkled fasciatissue causes severe sharp pain upon movements. To relieve/cure pain, it mustbe loosened and smoothened. The most effective way is to initiate self-healingby light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The precision Method.Other treatments are not satisfactory, such as medications (oral, injection),hot/cold remedy, massage, manipulation, stretching, strengthening, etc. Anklebrace or elastic support is used only to avoid pain by limiting movements. Thisis detailed in my book NO MORE PAIN  AllPain Considered A breakthrough.  Pleasevisit my website: NoMorePainClinic.com        

What treatments help with scoliosis?

Postural changes (scoliosis, kyphosis, leg-length discrepancy, thoracic hump, etc.) are all derived from soft tissue (muscle/fascia) strain except congenital deformity, traumatic/pathological READ MORE
Postural changes (scoliosis, kyphosis, leg-length discrepancy, thoracic hump, etc.) are all derived from soft tissue (muscle/fascia) strain except congenital deformity, traumatic/pathological fracture, etc. The strained//tightened tissue alters the alignment of the spine/ribs, while the bones of the spine/rib are rarely deformed or fixated. Therefore, the strained tissue must first be examined and located by palpation, and then released in order to restore alignment. This can only be done by light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method, to initiate self-healing. Once the tightened tissue is released, normal posture can be restored. Other treatments not releasing the tightened and jammed-up tissue are deemed to be ineffective and should be avoided, such as heat, electrotherapy, massage, manipulation, stretching/strengthening exercises, etc. Braces serve no therapeutic effect but only temporary support. Surgical fixation of the spine/ribs alters the normal structure, leading to irreversible and permanent deformity while not addressing the true cause of the problem (soft tissue injury); therefore should not be attempted.

Can I run with ankle arthritis?

By definition, arthritis means inflammation of the joint. Believe it or not, no pain ever comes from arthritis except for a brief period (1-2 weeks) of acute inflammation (inflammatory READ MORE
By definition, arthritis means inflammation of the joint. Believe it or not, no pain ever comes from arthritis except for a brief period (1-2 weeks) of acute inflammation (inflammatory pain) simply because of no pain sensation in the joint. Ankle pain derives from soft tissue injury (strain of muscle/fascia) outside and around the joint. The nearby tissue may also be affected including leg, heel, foot and toes.  Any physical activities should be kept at minimal because the injury may be easily aggravated and stretching/strengthening (including running)) should be avoided. Those jammed up tissues can only be effectively released by the body itself (self-healing) via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method. Like untangling the tangled hair requires a comb, not  medication, injection, heat/cold, massage, manipulation, acupuncture, etc. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN  All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please visit my website: http://NoMorePainClinic.com.  

Can exercise heal a herniated disc?

Absolutely not! A herniated or bulging disc does not cause any pain but only soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) does. If no pain, no treatment is required. If pain, it should READ MORE
Absolutely not! A herniated or bulging disc does not cause any pain but only soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) does. If no pain, no treatment is required. If pain, it should not be treated with stretching/strengthening exercise at all because it only irritates and worsens the injury. It must be treated with soft tissue release via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to initiate self-healing by the body itself. It usually requires 1-4 hours to cure back pain.

How can I get rid of ankle arthritis pain?

There is no pain coming from arthritis because of no pain sensation in the joint, except inflammatory pain during brief periods of acute inflammation. Ankle pain derives from soft READ MORE
There is no pain coming from arthritis because of no pain sensation in the joint, except inflammatory pain during brief periods of acute inflammation. Ankle pain derives from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) mostly fascia tissue around the joint and in the joint space. All it takes is to locate the precise tender (injured) sites and apply light touch for a while, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to resolve it one by one. Those jammed-up tissues must be released like untangling the tangled hair. This can only be done by the body itself initiating self-healing. Nothing else can resolve such an injury. Stretching/strengthening exercises always irritate/worsen injuries and should be avoided.

Can back hernia pain go away with treatments?

Back pain only comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) in the back (usually pelvis too) and is  unrelated to the spine simply because the spine has no pain sensation, READ MORE
Back pain only comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) in the back (usually pelvis too) and is  unrelated to the spine simply because the spine has no pain sensation, including herniated disc, pinched nerve, bone spur, slippage of vertebra, etc. It means that the only thing to be treated is the strained muscle/fascia, not the hernia. The hernia causing no pain whatsoever can be left alone and it does not matter whether the hernia remains there or not. Back pain can be easily cured within 1-3 hours by releasing the strained soft tissue with light touch, i.e., Touch-and Hold of The Precision Method to initiate self-healing. Back pain is not to be treated with medications, injections, surgery, manipulation, massage, heat/cold applications, traction, electrotherapy, stretching, strengthening, etc. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN  All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough"

Can you help with muscle spasms?

There is no "spasm" in a strict sense but painful/tightened muscle/fascia due to strain that acts up from time to time. Such mechanically jammed tissue must be mechanically released. READ MORE
There is no "spasm" in a strict sense but painful/tightened muscle/fascia due to strain that acts up from time to time. Such mechanically jammed tissue must be mechanically released. It can only be resolved by the body itself to initiate self-healing via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method. Back pain usually takes 1-2 hours to cure. Medications, as well as other modalities/procedures of physical therapy (hot/cold application, electrotherapy, massage, manipulation, etc.), are not effective, stretching/strengthening can aggravate the injury and should be avoided. Back surgery is the wrong thing to do.

What helps shoulder joint pain?

There is no such thing as "joint" pain simply because of no pain sensation in the joint. Shoulder pain comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain but not tendon/ligament) READ MORE
There is no such thing as "joint" pain simply because of no pain sensation in the joint. Shoulder pain comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain but not tendon/ligament) around and outside the joint. Such mechanically jammed tissue must be mechanically released. It can only be done by the body itself via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method. It usually takes 1-2 hours to cure pain. Medications, as well as other modalities/procedures of physical therapy (hot/cold application, electrotherapy, massage, manipulation, etc.), are not effective, stretching/strengthening can aggravate the injury and should be avoided.

Can physical therapy fix posture?

Your question is vague as to what kind of bad posture is in question, I am unable to give a specific comment. Generally speaking, the postural deviation is the result of strained/tightened READ MORE
Your question is vague as to what kind of bad posture is in question, I am unable to give a specific comment. Generally speaking, the postural deviation is the result of strained/tightened soft tissue (muscle/fascia) along the spine including the ribs altering its curvature. It is not caused by the vertebrae except deformity due to fracture or congenital anomaly. Those postural changes (kyphosis, scoliosis, Dowager's hump, lateral hump, sway back, etc.) can be restored by releasing the tight muscles/fasciae. To release tightness and thus restore normal posture, the only effective way is done internally by the body itself via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to initiate self-healing. It usually takes 6-12 hours to straighten the spine and resolve the deviations. All other modalities/procedures of physical therapy are ineffective, and stretching/strengthening should be avoided because it irritates the injury worsening the condition. It is not to be treated by surgery and surgical "correction" leads to permanent structural changes rendering restoration of normal posture impossible.

What type of physical therapy is best after a stroke?

Stroke is usually treated with classical rehabilitation including physical therapy for mobility and bracing, occupational therapy for hand function and ADL (activities of daily READ MORE
Stroke is usually treated with classical rehabilitation including physical therapy for mobility and bracing, occupational therapy for hand function and ADL (activities of daily living), psychosocial adjustment, etc. Yet, there are much more that can be done to further improve function but never being done.  Following stroke, a patientwith hemiparesis walks in an unbalanced manner, twisting and straining the residualmuscles of the lower limb on the paralyzed side, while overloading the unaffectedside, causing soft tissue injury to both sides, in addition to any preexistinginjuries. Neck, shoulders, arms, ribcage, and low back may also be strained from using a cane. There is also a factor of stroke with neurologicalsynergy which naturally tightens flexors in the upper limb and extensors in thelower limb when moving the affected side. Any stimulation to the strained muscle/fascia onthe affected side can irritate the injury to trigger synergy and clonus (rapid jerkytwitching). The muscle/fascia strain mustbe resolved in order to eliminate such triggering. Those injuries expectedly cause tightness, tenderness,pain, limited strength/endurance, and thus decreased function. Thiscan be successfully treated with light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to gain much improvement of flexibility, strength, endurance and gait in addition to relief of pain. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN  All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please visit my website: http://NoMorePainClinic.com.  

Can physical therapy help chronic ankle pain?

Simple answer: No!Physical therapy (hot/cold application, electrotherapy, massage, manipulation, stretching, strengthening, etc.) is not effective and stretching/strengthening READ MORE
Simple answer: No!Physical therapy (hot/cold application, electrotherapy, massage, manipulation, stretching, strengthening, etc.) is not effective and stretching/strengthening should be avoided. Ankle pain comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain, more fascia than muscle) around the joint and in the joint space. "Chronic" means the injury has remained unimproved, in fact, the injury will persist or worsen for life without spontaneous improvement unless properly treated. The jammed-up strained/tightened tissue, like tangled hair, must be untangled/released to recover. The only way to resolve the injury is done internally by the body itself via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to initiate self-healing. It usually takes only 1-2 hours to cure pain. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please refer to my website: http://NoMorePainClinic.com.

Is physical therapy good after knee replacement?

I have addressed this issue previously, now copy here as my answer:Question: How long is physical therapy after knee replacement? Knee pain comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia READ MORE
I have addressed this issue previously, now copy here as my answer:Question: How long is physical therapy after knee replacement? Knee pain comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) outside the joint but not from the joint itself, even so-called "bone grinding on bone", simply because the joint/bone has no pain sensation. Total knee replacement is not a wise choice of treatment because it is not effective in resolving the injury and the injury with pain, tightness, bulging (not swelling) and weakness remains untreated. It actually adds another surgical injury to the knee. Post-operatively, one only needs to wait for a surgical wound to heal. Yet the original injury must still be treated to recover. To resolve the injury, the only effective way to loosen/release the jammed-up tissue is done internally by the body itself via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to initiate self-healing, which takes only 1-2 hours to cure knee pain. No external means are effective, such as medications, injections, hot/cold applications, electrotherapy, massage, manipulation, stretching, strengthening, etc., especially stretching/strengthening should not be applied to any injured muscles because it aggravates and worsens the injury. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please refer to my website: http://NoMorePainClinic.com.

Can physical therapy help elbow pain?

Simply answer: No! Physical therapy (hot/cold application, electrotherapy, massage, manipulation, stretching, strengthening, etc.) is not effective and stretching/strengthening READ MORE
Simply answer: No! Physical therapy (hot/cold application, electrotherapy, massage, manipulation, stretching, strengthening, etc.) is not effective and stretching/strengthening should be avoided. Elbow pain, commonly called "tennis elbow", comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain). The jammed-up strained/tightened tissue, like tangled hair, must be untangled/released to recover, otherwise the injury is likely to remain unresolved for life. The only way to resolve the injury is done internally by the body itself via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to initiate self-healing. It usually takes only one hour to cure pain. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN  All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please refer to my website: NoMorePainClinic.com. 

Should I have physical therapy after scoliosis surgery?

This question is vague as to what kind of surgery (fusion? rod insertion? others?) and I am unable to give specific comments. Yet, generally speaking, scoliosis is not to be treated READ MORE
This question is vague as to what kind of surgery (fusion? rod insertion? others?) and I am unable to give specific comments. Yet, generally speaking, scoliosis is not to be treated with surgery to the spine. No therapy is required merely to deal with post-operative consequences. Scoliosis is the result of strained/tightened muscles along the spine altering its curvature and is not caused by the vertebrae except by deformity by fracture or congenital anomaly. Those postural changes can be restored by releasing the tight muscles but restoration becomes impossible after surgical alteration to the spine. To release tight muscles and thus restore normal posture, the only effective way is done internally by the body itself via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to initiate self-healing. It usually takes 6-8 hours to straighten the spine. Physical therapy for stretching/strengthening should be avoided because it irritates the injury and worsens scoliosis. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please refer to my website: http://NoMorePainClinic.com.

Can physical therapy cure shoulder impingement?

There is no such thing as shoulder "impeachment", but jammed-up muscles/fasciae, It can be easily released. Physical therapy is not effective or helpful and may even worsen the READ MORE
There is no such thing as shoulder "impeachment", but jammed-up muscles/fasciae, It can be easily released. Physical therapy is not effective or helpful and may even worsen the condition, except for light touch. I have previously addressed this issue of shoulder pain, now copied here as my answer to your question.   Question: I have a shoulder injury. Can you help with a shoulder injury?It is not clear what shoulder injury there is. Generally speaking, without trauma like fracture, shoulder pain comes from muscle and fascia strain or "frozen shoulder" from fascia strain, but not "rotator cuff tear" as commonly assumed. Such soft tissue injury must be treated with soft tissue release to untangle the jammed-up tissue, otherwise nothing works. This can only be accomplished and easily cured internally by the body itself via light touch to initiate self-healing, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method. Stretching/strengthening is a wrong thing to do to an injured tissue. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please refer to my website: http://NoMorePainClinic.com.

Wellbutrin

Medications of any kind, if effective, at best only provide temporary easing of anxiety without actually treating the condition itself.

Is physical therapy effective after scoliosis surgery?

Please refer to my answer to a similar question in the following a few months ago. Now also available in my website by clicking Forum. Question: I will have scoliosis surgery. READ MORE
Please refer to my answer to a similar question in the following a few months ago. Now also available in my website by clicking Forum. Question: I will have scoliosis surgery. How long is physical therapy after scoliosis surgery?This question is vague as to what kind of surgery (fusion? rod insertion? others?) that I am unable to give specific comment. Yet, generally speaking, scoliosis is not to be treated with surgery to the spine. No therapy is required merely to deal with post-operative consequences. Scoliosis is the result of strained/tightened muscles along the spine altering its curvature and is not caused by the vertebrae except deformity by fracture or congenital anomaly. Those postural changes can be restored by releasing the tight muscles but restoration becomes impossible after surgical alteration to the spine. To release tight muscles and thus restore normal posture, the only effective way is done internally by the body itself via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to initiate self-healing. It usually takes 6-8 hours to straighten the spine. Physical therapy for stretching/strengthening should be avoided because it actually irritates the injury and worsens scoliosis. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please refer to my website: http://NoMorePainClinic.com.

What exercises are best for scoliosis?

None! Exercise of any kinds including stretching and strengthening is a wrong thing to do to scoliosis. Scoliosis is derived from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) which READ MORE
None! Exercise of any kinds including stretching and strengthening is a wrong thing to do to scoliosis. Scoliosis is derived from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) which tightens to cause postural changes (kyphosis, scoliosis, thoracic hump). Exercises can only irritate the injured tissue and worsen the condition. To resolve scoliosis and restore normal posture, the tightened tissue must be released by light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to internally initiate self-healing, but NEVER by exercises. 

When should I start physical therapy after shoulder surgery?

What kind of surgery and why? Shoulder pain? rotator cuff tear? habitual shoulder dislocation? others? First consideration is whether surgery is really indicated or a right choice READ MORE
What kind of surgery and why? Shoulder pain? rotator cuff tear? habitual shoulder dislocation? others? First consideration is whether surgery is really indicated or a right choice of treatment. Surgery is a wrong thing to do for shoulder pain, rotator cuff tear or habitual dislocation! All these conditions come from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain), not from "tear" of rotator cuff, and should not be treated with surgery. To recover with no more pain, the mechanically strained tissue must be mechanically released. Surgery adds another surgical trauma without actually resolving the injury. Post-operative physical therapy aggravates and adds even more injury. The only effective treatment is done internally by the body itself via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method, to initiate self-healing. It usually takes 1-2 hours to recover. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN  All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please visit my website: NoMorePainClinic.com. 

Is physical therapy after hip surgery painful?

Yes, there is always surgical pain after surgery which subsides after a while requiring no treatment. Yet, much more pain comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) outside READ MORE
Yes, there is always surgical pain after surgery which subsides after a while requiring no treatment. Yet, much more pain comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) outside the joint which is the exact source of pain before surgery and the reason for surgery but remains untreated. No pain comes from the joint (except for traumatic fracture) simply because of no pain sensation in the joint. Now this injury causing pain must still be treated to recover. The only way to resolve such injury is done internally by the body itself via light touch, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method to initiate self-healing. It cannot be resolved and is not to be treated with surgery, medications or physical therapy such as hot/cold application, massage, manipulation, stretching, strengthening, etc. It usually takes 1-2 hours to recover with no more pain. |