Spine and Extremity Joint Manipulation

Objective effects of a chiropractic adjustment have been investigated and reported. More specifically, a single chiropractic adjustment produces both sensory and motor effects as well as sympathetic nervous system effects.

Reported sensory and motor effects of a manipulation include:

Reported Sympathetic nervous system effects of a manipulation include:

Reported blood chemistry changes after a manipulation include:

There are many different techniques a chiropractor can choose from and there is a certain skill level and "art" involved with high velocity, low amplitude adjustment or manipulation. It is perhaps more important for the chiropractor to determine when not to apply the adjustment, which is the reason for the extensive academic load placed on the chiropractic student (4 years of college plus 4 years at a chiropractic college).

The number of chiropractic treatments required for the particular patient varies significantly due to the degree of the injury, the unpredictability between patients, and co-morbid risk factors of chronicity (anxiety, depression, poor coping strategies, financial distress, low educational attainment, and others). For example, the chiropractic treatment plan of a grade 1, lumbar sprain/strain rarely demands greater than 4-6 weeks to manage in an uncomplicated case with no co-morbid factors.

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Rehabilitation

We customize a rehabilitation program to fit your body's needs and your daily routine.  We focus our services with a one-on-one approach, while teaching you how to rehabilitate your body.

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Graston Technique

Graston® Technique is a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions effectively.

This technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to detect and treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.

The Graston Technique treatment protocols may also include the use of heat, ice and rehabilitation to restore patients to their pre-injury level of activity.  Most patients report pain reduction and improved function within the first two treatments. 

Review our printable brochure on the Graston Technique.
 

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Myofascial Release Therapy

Myofascial Release Therapy is a specialized form of manual treatment that is well suited to the healing of many acute and chronic pain conditions, fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain syndrome, movement restrictions, TMJ disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Myofascial Release addresses restrictions in the connective tissue, or fascia, of the body. The fascia is an extremely tough tissue that surrounds every muscle, bone, organ, nerve, and blood vessel, down to the cellular level. Fascial restrictions can result from accidents, injuries, repetitive stress situations, surgical or traumatic scarring, and abnormal postures. Any of these traumas can cause the fascial tissue to bind down, exerting abnormal pressures and tensions on pain producing structures.

Myofascial Release is a whole-body therapy. Functionally, the fascial system forms a continuous web from head to toe. Injury to any part of the system can have far-reaching effects on other parts of the body. This helps to explain many individuals' seemingly inexplicable combination of pain complaints. Often times, painful symptoms occur in what might be considered unrelated regions of the body. A basic tenet of Myofascial Release is that no part of the body is separate from the other.

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Kinesio Taping

Kinesio taping offers innovative and effective therapeutic and rehabilitation taping.  The taping, often seen on athletes with vibrant colors, are utilized over muscles to assist and support injured areas.  Kinsesio Taping focuses on taping around and over muscles for support, protection, and injury prevention. 

Several athletes utilized this procedure during the 2008 Olympic Games, most notably, gold medalist Kerry Walsh.

Learn more about the benefits of Kinesio Taping from the manufacturer's website:  www.kinesiotaping.com.

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Custom Orthotics

An 'orthotic' is a device designed to restore your natural foot function. Many 'biomechanical' (walking) complaints such as heel pain, knee pain and lower back pain are caused by poor foot function. Orthotics re-align the foot and ankle bones to their neutral position, thereby restoring natural foot function. In turn this helps alleviate problems in other parts of the body.

In addition, orthotics give a more even weight distribution, taking pressure of sore spots (e.g. the ball of the foot, corns in between toes, bunions etc) and they provide some shock absorption.

Who needs orthotics?

Orthotics benefit people with foot pain or discomfort due to walking imbalance (biomechanical complaint). Imbalances such as Flat fee, heel pain, knee pain and shin pain are known to cause pain and discomfort.

Can you wear the orthotics during all daily activities?

People who stand or walk all day will benefit from orthotics.

If you suffer from pain during any form of sporting exercise then orthotics can reduce the pain associated with your condition.

For overweight individuals, orthotics will help to counteract the extra stress being placed on the feet.

What specific conditions may be helped?

Below is a list of all the conditions that orthotics can help.

Achilles Tendonitis, Corns, Metatarsalgia, Sesamoiditis, Ankle Sprains, Flat Feet, Neuroma, Tendonitis, Arch Pain, Heel Pain, Pronation, Top of the foot pain, Bunions, Knee Pain, Shin Pain, Toe Pain. Imbalance in your feet can alter the bony structure of your feet and lower legs, foot orthotics may eliminate posture problems and foot and leg pain.

Do I need a physician's prescription to get custom orthotics?

No. Chiropodists are primary health care professional and therefore do not need a physician's referral. Custom orthotics are orthotics that are especially molded to your feet. Only a registered Chiropodist can properly determine if you require orthotics. The best orthotics are formed from a plaster cast rather than a computer foot pad and the orthotic needs to be made by a Chiropodist.

Why do I need orthotics?

Imbalances of the bones of the feet can result in abnormal foot motion (over pronation). This can impair foot function which can result in abnormal rotation of the legs and sometimes affects the knees, hips or back. If we combine these tremendous forces with the need for precise balance, we can see how small structural changes in the foot can make significant differences. Orthotics help to improve those structural changes.

How long will my Foot Orthotic Last?

Usually between 12 to 18 months.

Does it take time to get used to orthotics?

Your feet need time to adjust to the correct biomechanical (walking) position. Orthotics should be gradually used to begin with. During the first 48 hours of use, use the orthotics for approximately 3-4 hours. After this period of time it is recommended you use the orthotics for 6-8 hours. In the second week of use the orthotics can be utilized all day.

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Ultrasound

This treatment should not be confused with diagnostic ultrasound, often used in prenatal screening, but is instead a therapeutic procedure that utilizes sound waves to treat injured muscles, joints, and soft tissues. The sound waves vibrate the tissues back and forth, creating a deep, micro-massage effect. In the case of a recent injury, this helps to decrease scar tissue and adhesion formation, which would otherwise interfere with the body's healing process. The sound waves also decrease inflammation by destroying unwanted inflammatory cells. The sound waves also accelerate healing by stimulating the activity of the cells responsible for cellular and tissue repair. In chronic cases, special settings are used to create a deep-heating effect, heating the tissues far below the skin's surface. This heat, along with the vibrations that are caused by the ultrasound, help to "melt away" the muscle spasms and "knots" felt in our muscles.

What is Ultrasound?

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves and it is administered in the region of soft tissue injuries.

How does Ultrasound work?

The sound waves, some moving with a frequency of 1,000,000 waves per second, penetrate into deep into the tissues. The vibrations and heat break down and disperse unhealthy calcium and other hard tissue accumulations.

What does Ultrasound feel like?

Dr. Picard keeps the gel warm in a special warmer as not to irritate the tissues. During the treatment most patients either feel nothing, or a pleasant and relaxing sensation below the skin's surface.

Why is Ultrasound used?

The treatment can be administered directly to the affected area and it penetrates deeply. As the temperature rises, blood flow increases and muscle spasms relax thus speeding up the healing process.

What are the benefits of Ultrasound?

Ultrasound stimulated healing without irritation and enhances the body's natural healing ability. It is effective in treating calcium deposition, speeds metabolism and improves blood flow and reduces nerve root irritation.

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Electrical Stimulation

Often referred to as "muscle stim," the therapy involves low levels of electrical impulses delivered to the injured, painful tissues to reduce pain and speed healing. Often described by patients as a pleasant, "tingling" sensation, or "electrical massage," these impulses stimulate the body to release natural pain relievers, called endorphins. These endorphins reduce pain and inflammation, thereby promoting faster healing of the injured tissues. This therapy is often used to treat acute or chronic pain, as well as strains or sprains of the muscles, joints, and soft tissues of the spine and extremities.

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Stabilization Exercises

We teach our patients special exercises designed just for them to help strengthen and correct their own unique problem. These exercises can be performed in the comfort of your own home and can improve the effectiveness of your spinal correction by as much as 30-40%. This enhances the treatment process and helps maintain healing benefits, as well as reducing the likelihood of future problems.

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DTS (Spinal Decompression) Therapy
DTS Therapy is an Alternative to Surgery

You don't have to live in debilitating pain. Whether you have lower back pain, a pinched nerve, sciatica, neck pain, or a variety of symptoms related to damaged or degenerative discs, as well as syndromes of the lumbar and cervical spine, DTS Therapy may be for you.

This gentle, non-surgical therapy can provide lower back pain relief, sciatica pain relief, and is a state-of-the-art therapy for neck pain relief, bulging or degenerative disc disease, and lumbar pain.

The gentle distractive forces of the DTS therapy create a decompression of the spine with unloading due to distraction and proper positioning, to improve blood flow and nutrient exchange to the injured area. You willl experience several cycles of stretch and relaxation, which graduates to a peak over a period of several minutes.

Therapy sessions typically last less than 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 1 month, transitioning from passive to active treatments as you respond, with most patients feeling pain relief with as few as 6-10 treatments. Most patients are released from treatment after 8 weeks.

A complete program targeting the function of the stabilization muscles is a vital part of DTS Therapy. Exercise and adjunctive therapies such as heat, muscle stimulation, ultrasound, and cold therapy can assist in rehabilitation of these structures. Our goal is to not only help heal the disc, but to also enhance muscular control and support of the back and neck.

Regular home exercise and periodic visits to our office will help in maintaining your spinal health and reduce the probability of reoccurrence. Clinical results of this type of therapy have been effective in over 75% of the patients treated and most patients find long-term relief or effective management of their pain when they complete the entire program of treatments utilizing the DTS Spinal Decompression Therapy.

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Sports Specific Training

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Chiropractic Massage

Massage therapy addresses a variety of health conditions, the most prevalent being stress-related tension, which, experts believe, accounts for 80%-90% of disease. Massage has been proven beneficial in treating cancer-related fatigue, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, low back pain, immunity suppression, spinal cord injury, autism, post-operative surgery, age-related disorders, infertility, eating disorders, smoking cessation, and depression, to name just a few. Massage has many physiological effects, such as:

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