Services We Provide

The services we provide our patients are tailor made for each individual patient's needs. This is largely dependent upon what the doctor finds during clinical examination. Treatment procedures are based upon the most recent clinical research.

Chiropractic Manipulation (a.k.a. Spinal Adjustment)

This is the primary procedure used by chiropractic physicians to treat mechanical conditions of the spine. The procedure is also applied to extremities. It is used to improve joint function, reduce the affects of scar tissue around the joint capsule, and improve/restore proper range of motion of a particular region. Approximately 20% of patients will experience some temporary soreness following the first couple of treatments. This is usually because the area has not moved properly in quite a while, or the problem is a result of a traumatic injury. Ice or Biofreeze usually resolves this issue.

 

Flexion - Distraction     (F&D)

a. Increases the disc height to remove tension on the annular fibers (ligaments around the outside of the disc) and nerve roots by making more room and improving circulation.

b. Allows the nucleus pulposus, (the jelly in the center of the disc), to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the nerve root.

c. Restores physiological range of motion to spinal joints. 

d. Improves posture and walking, while relieving pain, and improving body functions.

For Non-Disc related conditions:

Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal,  painless movements to restore spinal motion without pain.

Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)

ManipulationUnder Anesthesia, otherwise known as MUA, is a non-invasive procedure increasingly offered for acute and chronic conditions, including: neck pain, back pain, joint pain, muscle spasm, shortened muscles, fibrous adhesions and long term pain syndromes.

The patient is lightly sedated, which is known as twilight sedation, the same sedation used during colonoscopies. They can then be mobilized, adjusted and stretche d in a way not possible through traditional in-office care. Stretching and manipulation of the spine with the patient sedated is one of the gentlest and most effective methods of altering chronic pain. Manipulation Under Anesthesia is a viable alternative for those patients that are not responding to traditional conservative care or other invasive procedures such as pain management injections and surgery.

Manual Therapies 

• Joint Mobilization

Mobilization is a form of stretching that is applied to stiff joints in order to restore range of motion, relieve pain and reduce muscle tension. This procedure consists of small passive movements, usually applied as a series of gentle stretches in a smooth, rhythmic fashion to the involved joints. Mobilization may be administered in various degrees of pressure, depending upon the sensitivity and stiffness of an individual's joints.

• Trigger point therapy

•  Myofascial Release (MR)

How do overuse conditions occur?
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:

a. acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc), 

b. accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)

c. not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia).

Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

• Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is the assessment and treatment of the soft tissues and joints of the body by hands-on manipulation. Massage can be defined as the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes. It uses a system of strokes that include gliding, kneading, friction, pressure, tapping and vibrating.

 The benefits of massage:

• Stretches superficial tissue.
• Assists lymphatic and venous flow.
• Helps to break up and loosen subcutaneous tissue adhesions.
• Can help reduce certain types of edema.
• Stimulates the sensory receptors (nerves) of the skin and deeper tissue.

Massage Therapy is recommended for:

• Relief of chronic stress /tension.
• Relaxation.
• Relief of pain/spasm. 
• Headaches.
• Repetitive strain injuries.
• Sprains/strains/athletic injuries.
• Tendonitis/bursitis.
• Pregnancy discomforts/post partum.
• Postural disorders/muscle rehabilitation.
• Lymphatic drainage.
• Improved circulation.

Rehabilitation Procedures

Strapping/Taping

We use special elastic medical tape designed to aid the body’s natural healing process. It is a non-restrictive type of tape, unlike traditional athletic tape, that allows the affected area to go through a full range of motion, which helps aide recovery. The tape is applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused tired muscles, and to support muscles during movement on a 24hr/day basis. Our office utilizes taping procedures during the acute phase as well as rehabilitative phase of treatment. Patients are taught taping techniques, allowing them to be more involved in their rehabilitative recovery. Each application lasts 3-5 days before needing to be repeated. Examples of conditions that respond to this strapping/taping include muscle spasms related to disc herniations, overuse muscle strains, sprains tendonitis, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel and minor soft tissue tears (i.e. rotator cuff syndromes), to name a few.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

PNF is a stretching technique used to reduce a muscle spasm or chronic tightness that has affected joint movement, and to eliminate pain points where the tendon attaches to bone. The patient is asked to contract the involved muscle group and hold against the doctor’s resistance. They then are asked to relax allowing the doctor to stretch the affected tissue. This can be used early in treatment prior to performing joint manipulation, especially with acute conditions. It is very effective for the acute patient who can tolerate very little movement.

Neuromuscular Re-Education Exercises

A category of exercises designed to improve proprioception (balance and coordination) during daily activities that require standing and sitting. Exercises may range from specific movements on an exercise ball to challenge balance and kinesthetic sense, to wobble and rocker boards to challenge balance and re-train the proprioceptive portion of the nervous system.

Spinal Stabilization Exercises

A series of exercises and stretches that are used to improve involuntary control of the muscles that provide stability to the spine. Unlike general exercise programs which focus on gross muscle tone and strength, spinal stabilization exercises are tailored to a specific patient’s needs and train the small, fine controlling muscles of the spine.  Rehabilitating these muscles can restore optimal spinal function and reduce the risk of re-injury.

Home Exercise Programs

Patients are taught stretches and exercises that can be completed at home to improve their overall fitness and health. Condition specific exercises and stretches are customized to each patient’s physical needs. Handouts of all exercises taught and performed in the office are provided for reference while at home and work.

 

Therapeutic Modalities

Short courses of some therapy modalities may facilitate pain relief and muscle relaxation.  We provide the following therapy modalities very conservatively, in order to facilitate exercise-based treatments.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

What is ultrasound?
It is a therapeutic treatment using high-frequency sound waves administered in the region of soft tissue injuries.

How does Ultrasound work?
Sound vibrations, as fast as a million times per second, penetrate the tissues deep in the body, creating a heat response. These vibrations and heat help break down and disperse unhealthy calcium and other hard tissue accumulations.

What does Ultrasound feel like?
The gel used to conduct the sound waves is at room temperature and may momentarily feel cool to the skin when it is initially applied. Most patients feel nothing, or a pleasant and relaxing sensation below the surface of the skin.

Why is Ultrasound used?
Ultrasound treatment can usually be administered directly to the area of complaint, penetrating deep into the body. The rise in temperature, increases blood flow, relaxes muscle spasms, massages damaged tissues, and speeds the healing process.

Patient Benefits

• Highly effective in treating calcium deposition
• Stimulates healing without irritation
• Speeds metabolism and improves blood flow
• Reduces nerve root irritation
• Enhances the body's natural healing ability
• Ultrasound can often help shoulders, elbows, and sports-related injuries.

Electric Muscle Stimulation

What is Electrical Muscle Stimulation?
It is a special form of electrical current that is administered at the site of soft tissue injury, especially muscles, for the blocking of pain.

How does Electrical Muscle Stimulation work?
Small amounts of electrical current are induced into the tissues for the purpose of reducing swelling. This widely used technique safely strengthens muscles and helps reduce painful symptoms.

What does Electrical Muscle Stimulation feel like?
Patients generally feel a slight tingling sensation at first. Since your body may become accustomed to the initial setting, the intensity may be raised during the course of your 10-20 minute treatment, for maximum healing effect.

Why is Electrical Muscle Stimulation used?
Electrical Muscle Stimulation has been used as an effective form of pain relief. It is recommended in cases in which pain is accompanied by swelling and inflammation.

Patient Benefits

• Reduces pain sensation
• Helps decrease swelling
• Promotes general muscle tone
• Speeds the healing process
• Many painful symptoms can be relieved with the application of Electrical Muscle Stimulation. 

Intersegmental Traction

What is Intersegmental Traction?
It is a way of inducing passive motion into the spine for the purpose of stretching spinal joints, increasing mobility.

How does Intersegmental Traction work?
The patient lies face up on a bench table which has roller-type cams beneath its surface. These rollers can slowly travel the length of the spine, stretching spinal joints.

What does Intersegmental Traction feel like?
Most patients find this form of treatment to be relaxing and very helpful. The gentle rolling action is restful, exercising the spine without effort.

Why is Intersegmental Traction used?
Since discs have a poor blood supply, they get nutrients from the circulation of fluids surrounding spinal joints. Fixations prevent this natural circulation and can cause disc thinning and degeneration. Intersegmental traction helps increase and restore necessary elasticity and motion to the spine.

Goals of Chiropractic Treatment

• Short Term Goals: To reduce pain, restore normal joint motion and return regional range of motion to normal.
• Long Term Goals: To restore strength to the affected areas in order to restore optimal health, and improve your ability to perform daily activities without pain.

In order to achieve these goals, we may recommend a specific number of treatment visits based on you condition. For example: 1-3 chiropractic visits per week (as determined by your health condition and presenting symptoms) for 1-4 weeks, followed by a progress examination. Based on clinical findings from your re-examination, we will measure the response to treatment and determine whether to:

1. Continue treatment, if appropriate;
2. Release you from chiropractic care if your goals have been met;
3. Refer you to another health care specialist (or back to your referring primary care physician) if the goals have not been reached.