Pain makes it impossible for a person to enjoy life to its fullest. Chronic pain is a stress to your body and can actually interfere with your body's ability to maintain health. We recommend a comprehensive approach for dealing with pain that focuses on elimination of the cause(s) of pain as well as aggrevating factors such as stress, poor diet, premature aging, and injury.
Special expertise and experience is required to properly manage pain, regardless of what that pain arises from. Some of the more common causes of pain that we treat include, but are not limited to: auto accidents, accidents at work, sports injuries, degenerative conditions, overuse syndromes, and cumulative trauma disorders.
An integrated approach consisting of manipulative therapy, myofascial release, physical therapy, rehabilitative therapy, and orthopedic bracing allows the doctor to utilize a complete alternative arsenal to attack the cause of your pain.
Improper biomechanical function of a joint is called intersegmental joint dysfunction. This can happen to any joint as a result of sudden injury, repetitive stress injury over time, or postural stress. The result of injury to a joint is inflammation that will eventually lead to the development of scar tissue in and around the joint. This alters the biomechanics of the joint and can lead to an increased rate of wear and tear, nutritional deprivation, and ultimately degenerative changes to the joint. A prime example of this would be the insidious damage done to your car when the wheels are out of alignment. Research indicates that intersegmental joint dysfunction is associated with premature development of degenerative osteoarthritis.
Because there are over 150 joints in the spinal column, it is more susceptible to this condition that most other areas of the human body. This, and the fact that the spine houses the central nervous system, are reasons why doctors of chiropractic focus on the spine. In very close proximity to the joints of the spine are the very branches of the central nervous system or spinal nerves. They are the direct connection of the central nervous system and every part of the body. It stands to reason that if these joints are dyfunctional it could chemically and physically interfere with the nervous system's ability to contol and coordinate bodily function. The correlation between intersegmental joint dysfunction and improper communication between the nervous system and the body could be the underlying cause for some diseases that are neurogenic in origin.
Manipulative therapy commonly used for the treatment of intersegmental joint dysfunction of the joints with great success. It has been proven a safe, reliable treatment in many scientific studies. Chiropractors are truly joint doctors. If your pain stems from a joint derangement, then research suggests that chiropractic should be your first choice for care.
I utilize many different types of manipulative therapy, such as Diversified technique, drop table, Activator, and ProAdjuster.
The discs of the spine are comprised of a jelly-like nucleus surrounded by tough, fibrocartilage rings. Discs act as the cushion between the vertebrae providing movement and shock absorption for the spine. During the course of the day the discs are compressed due to gravity and compressive forces from sitting and standing. When intersegmental joint dysfunctions occur and stress is produced on the disc causing lack of movement and increased pressure, the fibrocartilage rings of the disc can weaken allowing the nuclues to buldge. Traction can stretch the spine length-wise allowing reduced compression, increased blood and lymph flow, and actually allow the nuclues to resorb to the center on the disc.
This is sometimes used in combination with one or both of the above treatments. Physical therapeutic modalities are used to help achieve the following goals: relieve pain, reduce muscle spams, decrease inflammation, and control scar tisse development. I may prescribe such therapies as heat, ice, electrical muscle stimulation, and traction to improve treatments and outcomes.
Many times pain develops because of pre-existing biomechanical imbalance. Weak muscles or muscles that are short and tight can lead to abnormal function of the joints and muscles. Many times this aspect of treatment is overlooked and the problem never really goes away. I look for these imbalances and prescribes specific stretches and exercises to help correct the problem.
Sometimes the body needs additional help to achieve proper biomechanical function. One good example of this can be seen in a runner who develops shin splints. Many times this condition is caused by over-pronation, or unstable rolling, of the foot while running. This is more an engineering or stability problem. I can prescribe and fit orthotics to correct the problem of pronation and relieve pain. There are numerous other types and uses for orthotics and braces to help the body.
Photobiomodulation Therapy is the use of infrared light to emit energy into the tissues stimulating cells to produce more energy to repair and heal. This therapy helps to reduce pain and inflammation for acute and chronic injuries helping to heal faster and repair tissue. Noninvasive, safe, drug free, and well researched, this type of treatment can be used on patients of all ages, athletes, and those suffering from chronic pain.