•Technique: Our office continues to use Chiropractic Biophysics
procedures. We no longer have an in house x-rays but can send our patients to
the Chiropractic College which uses modern digital x-rays. Biophysics
procedures include both osseous, drop table and instrument adjusting to make
corrections with an emphasis on structural changes.
•Traction: Traction is defined as the process of deflecting tissue.
Adjustments alone do not deflect the soft tissue long enough to make changes.
We therefore use traction to put enough force to make structural
modifications. Think of it as a board being hit over a fulcrum. It will not
deflect permanently. Let’s say we took that same board, put it over the
fulcrum and put a weight on one end and left it there for some time. This
board can and will deflect over time to see a bend that is permanent. Our
soft tissue deflects and changes in a similar way.
•Vertetrac vs. Decompression: A new procedure utilizing a long axis
decompression traction table has been advertised to the public as treatment
for many back conditions including herniated disc, fail back surgeries and
degenerative disc. This table, while effective for some patients is
expensive. Our office has been using the Vertetrac as well as flexion
distraction procedures for the past 15 + years. The Vertetrac has some
distinct advantages. It is an ambulatory traction device which means you can
walk while you are being tractioned. The motion at the same time as traction
benefits the effect and can be utilized for all the same things the
decom-pression traction table is able to. Cost is dramatically less for our
procedure, often included in our normal treatment cost. Decompression
procedures often average from $150-200 per treatment.
•Electrical Stimulation: One of our primary physical therapy modality
used to manage pain and accelerate healing is electrical muscle stimulation
(EMS). EMS is capable of deep penetration using interferential stimulation
(crisscrossing), or electrical modification to simulate the interferential
stimulation. Some of our patients have used portable Tens units that are
similar in that they are electrical. The main difference is the penetration.
Tens units are used to block pain but rarely penetrate below the skin. This
helps to block pain signals to the brain while it is on but rarely has long
lasting effects. The inter-ferential current is able to penetrate deeper
which allow the effect to touch the source of the pain. Our EMS is also
capable of many different frequencies like micro-current which can also be
used for tissue healing.
•Low Level Therapeutic Laser: Low
level or Cold laser produce a form of light energy when inputted into the
cells of our body will convert to chemical energy to promote natural healing
and pain relief. It is a safe procedure, causes no cutting or heat production
and is used for inflammation reduction, pain relief, antibacterial, increased
circulation and accelerated tissue repair. Laser treatment is an attended
modality (Requires direct patient treatment) and therefore has a separate
charge from our regular Chiropractic fees. Our charges are below what most
offices charge for these procedures. We have a brochure that we would be
happy to give you.
What is Low Level Laser Therapy?
Low-level laser therapy utilizes compressed light of a wavelength from the
cold, red part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is different from natural
light in that it is coherent (it travels in a straight line), monochromatic
(a single wavelength) and polarized (it concentrates its beam in a defined
location or spot). The energy range of low level laser light is between 1 and
500 mW (milliwatts). The surgical lasers have energy ranges 20 to 300 times
stronger, which is 3000 to 10,000 mW. These properties allow laser light to
penetrate the surface of the skin with no heating effect or damage to the
skin or underlying structures.
How does it work?
Low level lasers supply energy to the body in the form of non-thermal photons
of light. Light is transmitted through the skin's layers (the dermis,
epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue) at all wavelengths in the visible
range. However, light waves in the near infrared range, penetrate the deepest
of all light waves in the visible spectrum. Remember that light is a form of
energy. We are basically inputting energy to the skin and the structures
beneath the skin. Low Level Laser light directs biostimulative light energy
to the body's cells which the cells then convert into chemical energy to
promote natural healing and pain relief. Studies have not demonstrated any
harmful effects.
When low level laser light waves penetrate deeply into the skin, they
optimize the immune responses of our blood, leading to both anti-inflammatory
and immunosuppressive effects. Scientific studies have shown that light
transmitted to the blood in this way has positive effective throughout the
whole body. So the effects are both local and systemic. Pain relief
experienced with Low Level Laser light appears to be due to increased
endorphin release and suppression of nociceptor action.
Three effects are widely cited in the literature regarding LLL Therapy.
· Reduction of inflammation
· Analgesia
· Antibacterial/Antiviral
What can laser therapy treat?
Therapeutic applications which have been studied and have shown promising
results include:
· Arthritis
· Acupuncture Points (Smoking Cessation/Addictions)
· Back Pain
· Enhances Lymphatic Drainage
· Releases Tight Muscles
· Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains, tendonitis and
hematomas
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
· Chronic Pain
· Maxillofacial Disorders · Nerve Regeneration
· Neuropathy/Musculoskeletal Pain
· Myofascial Pain
· Tendonitis
· Sports Injuries
· Wound Healing (Speeds Healing)
What Are The Effects of Laser Light on Tissue?
Laser light causes five (5) actions on tissue, which have been documented as
the basis for treatment benefits. They are listed below, summarized from
medical and veterinary research articles.
Accelerated Tissue Repair
Rapid Formation of Collagen
Beneficial Effect on Nerve Cells and the Production of B-Endorphin
Accelerated Lymphatic System Activity and Reduction in Edema
Formation of New Capillaries and Increased Blood Flow
Low level laser therapy can effectively work in harmony with the body's own
healing mechanisms. There are no harmful effects reported from laser
therapy.
Will there be pain with Low Level Laser Therapy?
Treatment is simple and painless. It is similar to holding a flashlight close
to the skin and shining the light on it. There is no sensation of pain, nor
is there an increase in temperature from the laser. Treatment times vary
based upon the size of the area to be treated, and the output power of the
laser. Most treatments take 5-10 minutes, although the treatment of
acupuncture points takes only 1-2 minutes per point.