SERVICES
MY APPROACH
In my practice, I offer a variety of treatment options depending on your condition and needs. I do not have a "one treatment fits all" philosophy; instead, the treatment is tailored to each individual patient and since no two patients or conditions are the same, it follows that no two treatments are the same. Also, treatments can evolve over time as a patient improves and certain physiotherapy modalities are found to be more effective than others. Treatment schedules also differ - my goal is to get people well as quickly as possible so that they do not have to keep coming back. That being said, many patients really like how they feel from being treated regularly and decide that they do want to follow a regular schedule of continuing care. They find that doing so keeps them "out of trouble" and functioning at an optimal level. So many patients come in regularly, some come in now and then, and some only when they really have to. Everyone is different! In summary, know that your specific treatment and schedule of care will be what's best for you to get well and to stay well!
Chiropractic Treatment
At the heart of what a chiropractor does is the adjustment. My approach is to emphasize "hands on" treatments, meaning that I spend adequate time performing soft tissue work and stretching prior to adjusting. During a treatment, my male patients usually remove their shirts and female patients wear a gown to allow for hand to skin contact as I work on them. I utilize a variety of chiropractic adjusting methods (known as diversified technique) to perform either spinal manipulation and/or extraspinal manipulation. The extraspinal joints include the hips, knees, ankles, feet and toes as well as the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, and fingers. I also treat the TMJ (temporomandibular joint). In simple terms, the adjustment either restores normal movement to dysfunctional joints or corrects joint misalignments. This then provides pain relief to those joints and relaxation to affected muscles, as well as a cascade of positive input to the nervous system. As mentioned above, every patient is different, and so the adjusting techniques used are tailored to the specific needs and preferences of that patient.
Physiotherapy Modalities
The physiotherapy modalities I use are ultrasound, electrostimulation, and cold laser. Each modality has specific benefits for certain conditions, and so I may use any or all of them in a particular treatment.
-
Ultrasound therapy uses high frequency sound waves on muscle, nerve, joints, and connective tissue to reduce pain, muscle spasms, and joint contractures. I like using it to prior to adjusting to relax muscle, and it is also works great over arthritic spinal joints as well as shoulders, knees, ankles, and feet. There is a comfortable warmth to it that is very relaxing.
-
Electrostim therapy is particularly useful for muscle dysfunction including spasm, and also for pinched nerve issues in the neck/shoulder/arm area as well as in the lower back radiating into the buttocks and legs.
-
Cold laser utilizes the healing power of laser light energy. It is particularly useful on the conditions having "itis" at the end of their names such as tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis. It is also very helpful for carpal tunnel syndrome. It is called "cold" laser because laser used in medicine normally produces heat to created desired effects: the cold laser is not heat-producing.
RRT (Rapid Release Technology)
This physiotherapy is a relatively new addition to our office, and I created a separate section about it here since it has proved to be particularly useful and popular with patients. It is a form of vibratory therapy having a frequency that penetrates deeply into the body creating a very relaxing feeling as well as beneficial effects on muscle spasm and guarding, and on joint dysfunction. The effect then is to improve flexibility and range of motion, and it is great for loosening the body prior to adjusting. Patients who are runners love having it done on their legs, as well as patients with calf tightness and cramps. If I use it once on someone, I will likely be using it from then on. Experience it for yourself, you'll love it!
Therapeutic Exercises
As part of the treatment regime, I often prescribe therapeutic exercises - both stretching and strengthening - to help patients with their particular condition. I like to take the time to review and demonstrate the lower back exercises and/or the neck and upper back exercises that I feel will benefit a patient for their particular condition(s) and health goals.. There are effective postural exercises that I often give, and I like to review patient exercise routines such as walking or running, swimming, biking, rowing, or lifting weights. I tailor the exercise program to the needs and goals of the individual patient. I do encourage all of my patients to exercise regularly and I do practice what I preach!
Nutritional Recommendations
As part of my holistic approach, I often will make recommendations for nutritional supplementation to augment the healing process and promote overall health and well-being. Occasionally, adding a supplement or making simple changes to a person's diet can make a big difference in reducing symptoms and getting them back to feeling normal. I have a few select supplements at the office to provide to patients, but most often I recommend ones that patients can buy on their own rather than through the office.
I do counsel patients in making healthy food choices as the preferred way to obtain daily nutrients, and then use supplements judiciously to fill in the gaps when a good diet is simply not enough. Some vitamins and minerals are difficult to obtain in optimal amounts through diet alone, and some conditions require more of certain ones. Also, as needed, I provide advice for weight loss and do my best to help and encourage people to get to their ideal weight.
Shockwave
Another new addition to my treatment modalities is shockwave therapy. It was originally devised to treat kidney stones, and has since evolved into the therapy we have now. The machine creates high velocity acoustic waves that stimulate healing, promote tissue regeneration and relieve pain. The waves create a mechanical stress and aactuall cause microtraumas on injured tissue, and this then triggers positive biological responses. These responses include improved blood flow to the area, increased production of cellular growth factors and cytokines, inhibition of pain receptors, and breakdown of calcifications. We use shockwave to treat muscle strains and sprains, tendonitis, and certain types of arthritis.
Traction
I have two different tables that I use for lumbar spine (lower back) traction. The first type is performed using what is called a flexion-distraction table. With the patient lying face down, the doctor presses downward on the lower portion of the table causing the legs to move downward which results in a nice stretch of the lower back.
The second type of lumbar traction is termed decompression therapy, and patients typically lay on their back on this table for 15 minutes as the traction is applied. A belt is wrapped around the patient's waist and there are posts that go under the arms to hold the person in place. The machine then applies a gentle traction toward the feet by pulling on the belt around the waist to create a nice traction to the lumbar spine. It is very relaxing and feels great, and patients sometimes fall asleep as it is being done.
I apply traction to the cervical spine (the neck) using a different motorized table. A harness is fitted under the chin and around the back of the head, and a gentle pulling force is applied upward in the direction of the head to create traction at the cervical spine. I also perform the neck traction by using a similar head harness where I manually apply the pulling force to the cervical region instead of having the machine do it. Either way, patients often comment on how good the neck traction feels.
These forms of traction are effective in treating either herniated or degenerative discs and the neuropathies (pinched nerves) that often accompany them. In the case of bulging or herniated discs, the distractive force opens the disc space and draws the disc inward to take pressure off the nerve. The traction is also great for muscle tightness and postural syndromes.
X-Rays and MRI
'My approach with x-rays and MRI is to first do a thorough history and examination, and THEN decide if an x-ray or MRI or any other type of testing is needed. If I feel that the history and examination have given me enough information to make an accurate assessment and diagnosis, then I do not refer for further testing. In other words, I do not order x-rays or other studies unless I feel they are clinically warranted. If imaging is needed, I refer patients to a local facility, usually University Radiology, to have them done. I ask that new patients bring in all previous films and CD's as well as reports so I can use them to put together a full clinical picture.