Patient Services
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Spinal decompression therapy is a method that gently stretches the spine to change its force and position. These changes take pressure off of the spinal discs, which act as cushions between the bones in your spine. Taking this pressure off the spinal discs results in possible reiteration of bulging or herniated discs as well as takes pressure off the nerves and others structures in the spine. With this pressure relieved, the movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient fluids will increase and disks can heal at a quicker rate.
This method is specific for disc bulges, disc herniations, disc extrusions, nerve pain, numbness and tingling caused by these conditions.
Adjustments
Spinal adjustment, according to authors Meeker and Halderman, is the one core clinical method that all chiropractors agree upon.
Chiropractic adjustment can only be applied to joints in the spine and correction of misalignment or subluxation that may occur in that area. 95 percent of all spinal adjustments in the world are performed by chiropractors. Chiropractic adjustment frees the vertebrae to adjust to its natural position. The natural state of the body knows how to correct itself once it is free to do so with the help of chiropractic adjustment.
Chiropractic adjustments can help prevent and treat many conditions such as the following:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain disorders
- Chronic muscle pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Most musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries
- Nerve disorders
- Pain and stiffness in the back, chest, abdomen, neck, hips and shoulders, as well as extremities, such as arms, legs, and feet
- Sciatica pain
- Scoliosis
- Tendonitis
- Whiplash and other traumatic injuries
Some common adjustment methods include:
- Toggle Drop: This is when the chiropractor, using crossed hands, presses down firmly on a particular area of the spine. Then, with a quick and precise thrust, the chiropractor adjusts the spine. This is done to improve mobility in the vertebral joints.
- Lumbar Roll (aka side posture): The chiropractor positions the patient on his or her side, then applies a quick and precise manipulative thrust to the misaligned vertebra, returning it to its proper position.
- Release Work: The chiropractor applies gentle pressure using his or her fingertips to separate the vertebrae.
- Table adjustments: The patient lies on a special table with sections that drop down. The chiropractor applies a quick thrust at the same time the section drops. The dropping of the table allows for a lighter adjustment without the twisting positions that can accompany other techniques.
- Instrument adjustments: Often the gentlest methods of adjusting the spine. The patient lies on the table face down while the chiropractor uses a spring-loaded activator instrument to perform the adjustment. This technique is often used to perform adjustments on animals as well.
- Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA): This is performed by a chiropractor certified in this technique in a hospital outpatient setting when the patient is unresponsive to traditional adjustments.Chiropractors take many factors—including size, weight, and muscle structure—into consideration when deciding on which adjustment to make. Sometimes, ice, electrical stimulation, or massage therapy (including traction massage) are used prior to a spinal manipulation in order to relax the muscles.
Patients with chronic pain my require anesthesia during their treatment. This procedure is safe and only reserved for patients with special circumstance. Chiropractic adjustments, when performed by a skillful professional, are significantly safe methods of spinal correction.
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a form of bodywork that is focused primarily on the concept of primary respiration and regulating the flow of cerebrospinal fluid by using therapeutic touch to manipulate the synarthrodial joints of the cranium. This procedure is proven to often relieve symptoms of stress and tension.
The following are observed benefits from chiropractic adjustments:
- Increased blood flow
- Increased body secretion of melatonin and endorphins
- Increased pain tolerance levels
- Increased range of motion
- Reduced blood pressure
- Reduced tension
- Reduced muscle pain
Popping sounds heard during a chiropractic adjustments are usually caused by pockets of air being released from behind the joints. Mild aching or soreness may be present after a chiropractic visit, but is typically gone shortly after and easily relieved with the application of ice or heat.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Professional chiropractic care is an avenue of little risk that can provide significantly rewarding results.
Lifting Techniques
Lifting heavy and slightly heavy items without using the proper lifting techniques can often result in musculoskeletal injuries even without knowing they have occurred. Utilize the following proper lifting techniques to avoid these possible injuries.
Massage Therapy
Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, decrease muscle reflex activity, inhibit motor-neuron excitability, promote relaxation and well-being, and as a recreational activity.
Evidence strongly suggests early mobilization and range of motion exercises greatly improve recovery from nearly any injury or surgery.
Therapeutic Massage is used to:
- Reduce headache related symptoms including migraines
- Reduce blood pressure
- Reduce stress
- Reduce depression
- Reduce Anxiety
- Reduce Allergies
- Reduce Allergies
- Improve circulation
- Increase muscle elasticity
- Treat sport injuries
- Increase muscle tone, and flexibility
- Allergies
- Relax
Back Pain
Back injuries can develop due to a numerous amount of different factors and circumstances. Some people are more likely to develop back pain than others. Something as simple as twisting the wrong way in bed can cause misalignment of the vertebrae while others may sustain back injuries while working, at home, or from an automotive accident or other traumatic event. Relief from back pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek chiropractic care.
Joint Disorders
Fact joints are what guide and limit the movement of the spine. These joints are located in pairs on each segment of the spinal cord except for the very top of your vertebrae. Roughly one-fifth of the twisting ability of your neck and lower back is controlled by facet joints.
A small capsule surrounds each facet joint providing a nourishing lubricant for the joint. Each joint is supplied with tiny nerve fibers that provide a painful stimulus when the joint is injured or irritated. These joints can degenerate over time due to aging or disease, which can result in numerous conditions of pain.
Whiplash
Describing a range of injuries to the neck caused by or related to a sudden distortion of the neck. Cervical acceleration-deceleration” (CAD) describes the mechanism of the injury, while the term “whiplash associated disorders” (WAD) describes the injury and symptoms.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a joint disorder and can occur in areas ranging from the spine, fingers, wrist, knees, and more. It can occur due to trauma or infection of the joint or simply from age. Arthritis pain is caused by inflammation, damage from disease, and painful stiffness of joints.
Sports Injuries
Sports injuries are injuries that occur in athletic activities. They can result from acute trauma, or from overuse of a particular body part.