Chiropractic
Spinal mobilization has the same goal as HVLA spinal manipulation, however utilizes slow movement usually to a firm endpoint of joint movement in order to mobilize the joint. Chiropractors may choose spinal mobilization for certain patients for a variety of reasons, such as:
Patient preference
Patients with sensitive nervous systems may benefit from gentle chiropractic techniques to keep the body from overreacting and causing reactive muscle spasms
Patients with some conditions may be contraindicated for spinal manipulation, such as patients with advanced osteoporosis bone pathology, some forms of deformity, and certain types of inflammatory arthritis
Chiropractors may choose spinal mobilization for patients when they are in the acute stage of their condition and in severe pain.
When chiropractors talk about extremities they mean the numerous joints present in the body including the jaw, shoulder, ribs, wrist, elbows, fingers, hand, hip, ankle, knee, toes, and the foot. Commonly, the spine is checked and adjusted before going to the extremity to check and adjust it. The extremity adjustment should complement the spinal adjustment. Problems (pain, clicking, stiffness) in the extremities may also lead to chronic issues:
•Fatigue or weakness felt in the extremities •Stiff or immobile extremity joints
•Painful extremities or joints of extremities •Chronic back problems
•Catching of the joints of extremities •Chronic problems in the cervical region
Chiropractic is a health profession focused on treating spinal, musculoskeletal, and extremity problems primarily through manual or instrument manipulation. Various chiropractic techniques exist, all with a common goal of restoring or to enhance joint function by resolving joint inflammation and reducing pain. Every time you move a joint in your body you are releasing anti-inflammatory signals into the joint, inhibiting pain. If the joint is not moving correctly it sends pain signals to the brain and will eventually causes pain. The way you inhibit those pain signals is by getting proper motion back in your joints. Chiropractic restores spinal and extremity joint motion to reduce pain and improve function.Some approaches use some force (spinal manipulation) while others are more gentle (spinal mobilization). Diversified technique is the most popular spinal manipulation known as high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrust resulting in “joint popping”. Other commonly used techniques are often named after the chiropractor who developed it, such as Gonstead. Activator instrument is used to deliver a gentle impulse force to the spine with the goal of restoring motion to the targeted spinal vertebra or joint.
Myofascial Therapy (also known as myofascial release therapy or myofascial trigger point therapy) is a type of safe, low load stretch that releases tightness and pain throughout the body caused by myofascial pain syndrome, which describes chronic muscle pain that is worse in certain areas known as trigger points. Myofascial therapy relieves soft tissue restrictions that cause pain. Some causes of chronic myofascial pain are easier to diagnose than others: trauma (such as a car accident or fall), cumulative posture misalignment or mechanical deficits, a compressed nerve from a herniated disc, or inflammatory conditions.
When pain is caused by myofascial tightness within the fascial system (the web of connective tissue that spreads throughout the body and surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve blood vessel, and organ to the cellular level) the diagnosis is more difficult, as fascia restrictions do not show up on MRI scans or X-rays. Yet, those restrictions can play a significant role in creating pain and malfunction in the structure of the spine, extremities and organs.
Myofascial Therapy – Soft Tissue Mobilization and Passive Stretching
Gua Sha is a form of manual therapy known as soft-tissue instrument-assisted mobilization. It is one of a number of manual therapy approaches that uses instruments with a specialized form of massage/scraping the skin gently. The therapy is designed to help the chiropractor identify areas of restriction and attempt to break up scar tissue.
Gua sha is a healing technique of traditional East Asian medicine. Sometimes called ‘coining, spooning or scraping. Gua sha is defined as instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of a lubricated area of the body surface to intentionally create transitory therapeutic petechiae called ‘sha’ representing extravasation of blood in the subcutaneous.
Tapping
The Kinesio Taping Method is a precise rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion as well as providing extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within the clinical setting.
Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, kinesio tape is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions.
By targeting different receptors within the somatosensory system, kinesio tape alleviates pain and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. This lifting affect forms convolutions in the skin thus increasing interstitial space and allowing for a decrease in inflammation of the affected areas.
It has been proven to have positive physiological effects on the skin, lymphatic and circulatory system, fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. It can be used in conjunction with a multitude of other treatments and modalities and is effective during the rehabilitative and chronic phases on an injury as well as being used for preventative measures.
Gua Sha
Treatments offered
Massage therapy is manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being. There are dozens of types of massage therapy methods (also called modalities).
People seek massage therapy for a variety of reasons – to reduce stress and anxiety, relax muscles, rehabilitate injuries, reduce pain, and promote overall health and wellness.
While there are several types of massage, two fundamental categories are:
• Relaxation massage - also known as Swedish massage
• Rehabilitative massage – also known as deep tissue, medical, therapeutic or clinical massage
Benefits of Massage Therapy:
• Relieves Stress - Stress relief is key to achieving a healthier lifestyle. Even a single massage session can significantly lower heart rate, cortisol and insulin levels all of which help reduce daily stress
• Encourages Relaxation - Relax. Reset. Repeat. Massage has been shown to help the body enter a relaxing rest-and-recovery mode: an effect that lingers long after the massage is over.
• Improves Posture - Massage helps reinforce healthy and natural movements, which can get your posture back on track.
• Improves Circulation - The pressure created by massage therapy moves blood through congested areas. This causes new blood to flow in, resulting improved body function.
• Lower Blood Pressure - High blood pressure has more misconceptions than nearly any other medical condition. But one effective way to stave off high blood pressure naturally is massage therapy.
• Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion - As we age, joints tend to tighten, making range of motion more restricted. Massage helps keep joints more fluid, making you more flexible and less prone to injury.
• Promotes Deeper and Easier Breathing - One of the telltale signs of anxiety and stress is constricted breathing. Massage can play an important role in reliving respiratory issues and training the body how to relax.
• Relieves Headaches - Massage helps ease the pressure and pain, which can also reduce the chance and frequency of headaches or migraines
• Strengthens the Immune System - Studies indicate that regular massage can naturally increase the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity–the activity level of the body’s natural "killer cells".
• Enhances Post Operative Rehabilitation - Massage helps the body pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs. This makes massage therapy a great supplement to post-operative rehabilitation.
• Improves Rehabilitation After Injury - Rehabilitation can be frustrating. A continual massage program can accelerate the recovery process, as well as help you relax and stay motivated.
Massage Therapy
Chiropractic & MassageTherapy
Modern research shows Gua sha produces an anti-inflammatory and immune protective effect that persists for days following a single Gua sha treatment. This accounts for its effect on pain, stiffness, fever, chill, cough, wheeze, nausea and vomiting etc., and why Gua sha is effective in acute and chronic internal organ disorders including liver inflammation in hepatitis.
The general goals of the therapy are to reduce the patient's pain and increase function through a combination of:
• Breaking down the scar tissue and fascia restrictions that are usually associated with some form of trauma to the soft tissue (ie: strained muscles or a pulled ligament, tendon, or fascia)
• Reducing restrictions by stretching connective tissue in an attempt to rearrange the structure of the soft tissue being treated
(ie: muscle, fascia, tendons, ligaments)
• Promoting a better healing environment for the injured soft tissue.