Procedures performed exclusively by the doctor:
- Initial consultation and examination - this is done by the doctor to find out information about how your problem started and what may be causing it. It consists of an initial consultation, evaluation of you and your family's health history, and a thorough physical examination.
- Follow up evaluations - upon each visit, the doctor will inquire about your problem and monitor progress. Changes in the treatment may be made according to your response to care.
- Chiropractic Adjustments / Manipulations - this is the procedure that often produces a "popping" sound. This is performed on joints that are found to be too tight or "jammed". Adjusting these joints creates a momentary separation of the joint, allowing built up gas to escape quickly causing a "pop". Initially, the "pops" may be relatively loud and numerous, but as they become more loose and move well on their own, not as many will be heard.
- Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - This is a form of muscle work that the doctor performs to break up scar tissue and adhesions due to old injuries or repetitive stress, allowing the muscle to heal and return to its proper length. This can create some discomfort during and after treatment, but once it heals the area feels much less tight and pain levels improve.
- Low Level Laser Therapy - this is a rather new therapy to the United States, being FDA approved in Nov 2004. It has been used in Europe for 30 years to help facilitate healing in damaged tissue. This therapy is an integral part of our carpal tunnel therapy program to help improve nerve function and decrease symptoms.
- Ultrasound - this therapy uses sound waves to create a deep heat within the tissue of the body (muscles, tendons, etc). We usually use it to break up muscle spasms and treat trigger points.
- Electrical Stimulation - another type of therapy, this uses a special form of electric current to help control pain, increase circulation, and relax muscle spasms. If pain is very severe, hand held units can be prescribed for home use.
- Therapeutic Exercises - these are exercises and stretches given early in care to help manage pain and discomfort. They place the body in positions to take stress off of damaged areas as well as begin to gently strengthen weak areas.
- Physical Rehabilitation - this is a more aggressive form of exercise therapy designed to improve function and strengthen and stabilize areas that need it.
- Posture / Proprioceptive Training - this refers to a special form of physical rehabilitation that aims to improve poor posture by working to improve balance, stretch out muscles that become overly tight, and strengthen muscles that become too weak.
- Manual therapies - this is hands on muscle work provided by the doctor and massage therapists. This could be in the form of stretching, trigger point work, myofascial release, active muscle release therapy, etc. The goal is to break up scar tissue and adhesions from old injuries or repetitive stress, allowing the muscles to heal and return to their normal length. This can create some discomfort during and after treatment, but once it heals the area feels much less tight and pain levels improve.