Know All Your Options
(Before Drugs or Surgery)
Our team of diverse professionals combine a holistic approach to address pain at the source.
What is Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)?
Manipulation Under Anesthesia is a highly specialized, multidisciplinary procedure designed for patients whose chronic pain has become "locked" in place by scar tissue and biological restriction. While standard chiropractic care and physical therapy are effective for most, some conditions reach a plateau where the body's own protective reflexes—specifically muscle guarding—prevent further progress.MUA utilizes sedation through Monitored Anesthesia Care to temporarily silence these guarding reflexes. In this state of total relaxation, a team of two MUA-certified chiropractors can perform specific stretches and maneuvers that would be physically impossible, and far too painful, to perform while a patient is awake.
Understanding the S.A.C.S. of Pain
At Goodlife Physical Medicine, we recognize that chronic dysfunction is driven by what we call the S.A.C.S. of Pain. These "SACS" consist of:- Spasm
- Adhesions
- Congestion
- Scarring
The Goodlife Approach: More Than "Just Manipulation"
Most providers treat MUA as a simple stretching session. At Goodlife, we view it as a surgical-level intervention for soft tissue. We use the window of sedation to perform aggressive Trigger Point Release and deep myofascial work that most clinics avoid because it is too intense for an awake patient.By eliminating the S.A.C.S. of Pain™, we restore the muscle's natural length and elasticity. This isn't just about "cracking" a joint; it is about physically breaking down the internal obstructions that have hijacked your mobility. Once these barriers are removed, your body is finally primed for a CURE, allowing our follow-up rehabilitation protocols to "take hold" in a way they never could before.
The Procedure: A Team-Based Intervention
MUA is performed in a controlled surgical center environment.- The Team: You are attended to by a board-certified Anesthesiologist and a specialized team of two MUA-certified Chiropractors who work in tandem to safely stabilize one joint while mobilizing another.
- The Process: The sedation is light; you remain breathing on your own but are in a state of total relaxation. The procedure typically lasts 15–30 minutes.
- The Follow-Up: Because we have "reset" your soft tissue, the 7–10 days following MUA are the most critical. You will engage in a specific "post-MUA" therapy protocol to ensure the S.A.C.S. do not reform and that your new range of motion becomes permanent.
Right for You?
MUA may be the necessary "missing link" in your multidisciplinary plan if you suffer from:
- Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Where the joint capsule has physically thickened.
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: Chronic pain following a previous spinal procedure.
- Chronic Disc Herniations: Where muscle guarding is preventing spinal decompression.
- Severe Fibromyalgia or Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Where trigger points are too sensitive for traditional massage.
- Chronic Neck or Back Pain: That has failed to respond to 6–12 weeks of traditional conservative care.
Potential Benefits
- Restores Effective Muscle Length: Reverses the "shortening" effect of chronic spasms.
- Eliminates Internal Scarring: Physically breaks the adhesions (S.A.C.S.) that bind muscles and nerves together.
- Bypasses the Pain-Guard Cycle: Allows for therapeutic maneuvers that are too painful to perform while awake.
- Accelerates the Path to a Cure: Moves patients past long-term plateaus into a phase of active, lasting recovery.
How It Works
4 Locations: Serving the South Bay of Los Angeles
Know your coverage
(You may be covered)
Proud providers of major insurance companies
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Disclaimers: Individual results may vary. MUA is a clinical procedure performed under sedation by a multidisciplinary team including an Anesthesiologist and MUA-certified Chiropractors. No warranties or guarantees are made regarding a total "cure." The clinical necessity of MUA is determined by a strict "failure of conservative care" protocol and a thorough medical evaluation. Insurance coverage for MUA varies significantly by carrier; our surgical coordinators will perform a detailed benefit verification prior to scheduling.