Treatments
Manual Full Spine and Extremity Adjustment
Dr. Adam utilizes full-spine manipulation and hands on adjusting with techniques such as Diversified, Gonstead, and Cox flexion/distraction. Often times, he will use a combination of adjusting as well as traction/distraction techniques in order to achieve the best results for his patients. Every patient is different, so there is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Our goal at Schmidt Chiropractic is to try to get our patients well and reduce the chances of them having to resort to more invasive procedures such as surgery.
Flexion / Distraction Therapy
Traction and decompression therapy helps to relieve the pressure that can build up on the discs and joints of the spine. Injuries, degenerative changes or simply the effects of gravity or weight changes, can create a jamming effect on the joints and discs of the spine. This can cause discs to bulge, putting pressure on the surrounding nerves and other pain sensitive tissue. Flexion/Distraction therapy, along with adjustments to align the spine, can reduce the chances of our patients having to resort to more invasive and risky procedures.
Electrical (Interferential therapy)
Interferential therapy helps to reduce pain, edema and inflammation in the soft tissues due to irritation from trauma or degenerative changes. This helps to promote healing and assists in making spinal adjustments easier and more effective as well as decreases the necessity for narcotics and other pain relievers.
Ultrasound Therapy
There are two types of ultrasound therapy, continuous and pulsed. Continuous uses sound waves to cause microscopic vibrations in the deeper tissues, thus increasing heat and friction. The warming effect encourages healing in the soft tissue by increasing the metabolism at the level of the tissue cells. Pulsed
ultrasound has much less thermal effect but causes expansion and contraction of the tiny gas bubbles in the soft tissue. This helps to reduce inflammation and edema and thus, decrease pain. Ultrasound is used a lot for sprain/strain type injuries, tendinitis and some arthritis conditions.
IASTM (muscle scraping)
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization is a technique used, similar to standard massage, but specialized tools are used instead of your hands. The tool helps with direct treatment to the muscles, fascia, ligaments and tendons. Benefits include: decrease in pain level, increased blood flow to promote healing, and increase in range of motion
Cupping Therapy
Cupping is an ancient form of alternative medicine. Cups are placed on the body creating a pull on the tissue. Cupping benefits include: decrease in pain, decrease in swelling and inflammation, increased blood flow to area, increase in Range of Motion.
Rehabilitation Exercises
A proper exercise routine ensures that your muscles will be strong enough to support the benefits of chiropractic care. It also reduces the likelihood of a reoccurring injury. We work one on one to set up a exercise protocol that is right for your particular injury. Most exercises that are used to rehab a specific injury site can be incorporated into a patients regular exercise program. These are encouraged so that the patient can assist in their recovery and also decrease re-injuries.
Cryotherapy
Ice therapy helps to relieve swelling and inflammation while also assisting the body in minimizing tissue damage. Ice therapy causes the vessels in the damaged area to constrict, thus reducing the edema and also acts as an analgesic to numb the painful area.
Moist Heat
Moist heat therapy is used to relax muscle spasms and increase circulation in patients who have chronic pain. It is used on conditions where inflammation is not present. It is used when pain is classified as "sore, aching, or stiffness" rather than "sharp, stabbing or severe". Moist heat helps to assist in spinal adjustments by relaxing the surrounding muscles and increasing the range of motion in the joints.