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Spinal Manipulation
This is the main therapeutic treatment that is used by all chiropractors. Manipulation is the process of providing a gentle force into joints of the body that are fixed in an abnormal position or do not move to their normal range of motion. Manipulation is also used to relax muscles and decrease inflammation and swelling to an injured area as well as for the reduction of pain to an injured area of the body.
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Percussor
This is a pointed vibrational therapeutic device which is used mainly for the treatment of scar tissue, myofascial adhesions, and to relax tight and irritated muscles.
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Spinal Decompression Therapy
West Hills Chiropractic Group, LLC, utilizes the Triton DTS by The Chattanooga Group for the nonsurgical treatment of spinal injuries and spinal pain. Conditions like herniated and bulging discs, facet syndrome, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis of the spine, and in some cases failed back syndrome, can be effectively treated using axial decompression therapy. Disc decompression therapy works by decreasing intra-discal pressure and thus reducing the compression stress placed on a spinal disc. Non-weight-bearing positions such as lying on the back help to reduce compressive stress on spinal discs increasing the healing capacity of a disc.
Spinal discs are avascular structures, meaning that they do not have an adequate blood supply like muscles in the body do. The lack of blood supply means that discs in the spine heal naturally at a very slow rate and current research states that a spinal disc heals in 300-500 days without treatment. By employing decompression therapy, diffusion of fluid can be used to speed healing of the outer annular fibers of the disc.
There is some suggestion in the literature that extruded nuclear material may be "drawn in" by the reduction of intradiscal pressures. This concept is not universallyaccepted since the length of time the material stays drawn in has not been established in controlled studies. However, a temporary reduction in intradiscal pressure can still have a profound effect on the healing process via increased contact with the blood supply and fibroblast migration (so-called phasic effects). This is in addition to the pain relief created neurologically by stretching soft tissue (e.g. stretch receptors, mechanoreceptors, etc.), making decompression therapy a logical and viable addition to a "passive" pain-care regimen.
Decompression Therapy begins with a series of sessions, typically three times per week. Each session is approximately 15-20 minutes in length. The extent and severity of each individual's symptoms will determine the amount of sessions that will be necessary.
Following each session, electrical muscle stimulation is applied to help relax the muscles and ligaments. Most patients can experience relief in as little as 5 treatments.
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Cold Laser Therapy
In short, the light energy absorbed into the patient’s tissue triggers biological changes at a cellular level to provide topical heating for:
- temporary increase in local blood circulation
- temporary relief of minor muscle and joint aches, pains, and stiffness
- relaxation of muscles and relief of muscle spasms
- temporary relief of minor pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
The dose and frequency of treatment can be adjusted to produce the desired effect. Low Level Laser Light has unique physical properties that no ordinary light has. This is the key to why laser light is so effective compared to other kinds of light in healing. There are more than 100 double-blind positive studies confirming the clinical effect of LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy). More than 2500 research reports are published. The book Laser Therapy - clinical practice and scientific background by Jan Tunér and Lars Hode is a good reference guide for literary documentation. (from Chattanooga group)
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Core Stabilization Therapy
As more research is preformed to understand the nature of musculoskeletal pain, practioners are beginning to realize that the spine is an inherently unstable structure and spinal health is achieved through proper joint, muscle, and neurological functioning. Core Stabilization is essential in the treatment and prevention of spinal pain, and learning to use the proper muscles during activity allows us to stay pain-free. Every time we move, we depend on some muscles to hold us steady and other muscles to actually move us. Core stabilization is the general term for how the muscles of your trunk keep your spine and body stable. This helps you stay balanced when you move. If your core muscles are strong and contract when they should:
- Your posture is better.
- Your body is balanced.
- Your movement is more efficient and powerful.
- You are less likely to be injured.
Core stability benefits everyone, from older people to top professional athletes. Exercises for core stabilization should be part of every conditioning program, along with flexibility, strength, and aerobic training.
All the parts of your body are connected to one another, directly or indirectly. Think of a chain as the connection; for example, imagine a chain starting at your foot and running through your ankle, calf, knee, thigh, and hip to your pelvis and spine. This is called the kinetic chain, and it means that moving one part of your body can affect another body part. Your trunk is where the kinetic chains come together. (web MD)
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Kinesiotape
Kinesio Taping affects the activation of neurological and circulatory systems. This taping method is used over and around muscles in order to provide support and prevent overcontracture. This stretchable tape is applied to an injury site to decrease inflammation and congestion thru the lymphatic system by increasing lymphatic flow and it decreases pain thru the “gate control theory of pain.” This tape is designed to stay on the body for 24 hours a day and for as long as one to two weeks per application.
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