Emerson M Jou

Physiatrist (Physical Medicine) | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

321 N Kuakini Street Suite 410 Honolulu HI, 96817 Show map

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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.

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Emerson M Jou

Samples of Pain Mismanagement
One day on a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles, I responded to an in-flight call for a doctor offering my help as always. A young doctor was there ahead of me tending to a female passenger. He had already placed her lying down on the aisle, and a flight attendant was checking her blood pressure...

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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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, 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" READ MORE
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. 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. READ MORE
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) 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
Wellbutrin
Medications of any kind, if effective, at best only provide temporary easing of anxiety without actually treating the condition itself. READ MORE
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. 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. | READ MORE
How long do you do PT after hip surgery?
The duration of physical therapy depends on the surgery (total hip replacement or internal fixation for fracture) and the type of therapy (strengthening or soft tissue release). Total hip replacement is not a wise choice for hip pain because pain only comes from strained muscles outside the joint, not the joint itself (even "bone grinding on bone") simply because the joint has no pain sensation. Strengthening exercise is a wrong choice of therapy lasting for weeks or months, not effective in resolving the strained muscle/fascia and its associated pain/tightness/weakness. Soft tissue release is effective and is only needed for 2-3 hours (less time without surgery, more time after surgery). The only way to release the strained tissue is done internally by the body itself via light touch to initiate self-healing, i.e., Touch-and-Hold of The Precision Method. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please refer to my website: NoMorePainClinic.com. READ MORE
Can you have physical therapy after the discectomy?
Back pain comes from soft tissue injury (muscle/fascia strain) in the back (and often pelvis and thigh as well) and NEVER from disc bulging/herniation simply because disc has no pain sensation, bulging or not. There is no pain in the back even in "pinched nerve" by a herniated disc, which is rather rare. Discectomy is not effective in resolving back pain. After discectomy, one only needs to wait for the surgical wound to heal and no treatment is required. Yet, the original soft tissue injury being the exact source of back pain remains untreated and still needs be treated to rid of pain. The precise injury sites must be identified and properly treated, not with surgery, medications, injections, massage, manipulation, stretching/strengthening exercises, etc. 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 requires 2-4 hours to cure back pain. This is detailed in my book "NO MORE PAIN All Pain Considered - A Breakthrough". Please refer to my website: NoMorePainClinic.com. On Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 05:00:58 PM PST, Patient Question wrote: | You have a new patient question! All you have to do is reply to this email to answer. All questions and answers are for informational purposes only. | | | | | | | | | Someone has asked you a question | | Click here to view this request online | | | | | | | | Dr. Jou | | Question Alert | | You Have A New Question | | Simply reply to this email with your answer. | | | | | | | | | Can you have physical therapy after the discectomy? | | | | | I will have a discectomy. Can you have physical therapy after the discectomy? | | | | | | | | | | Reply to this email to answer, or Login to see all questions. | | | | | | | | IT IS SAFE TO PARTICIPATE. Answering this question does not constitute medical advice or establish a doctor-patient relationship. All questions and answers are for informational purpose only. All question submitters are advised to seek the care of their local medical provider. | | | | | | Find A Top Doc, 1350 Ave of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, United States Of America, (866) 664-DOCS Unsubscribe Manage preferences | | READ MORE