At Total Health & Wellness Chiropractic, we strive to offer you the very best chiropractic care. We understand that no one technique or style of care will benefit every patient. For that reason, we offer a variety of treatment methods, as listed below.
Traditional/Palmer Style/Diversified
These techniques focus on correcting misalignments or joint fixations in the spine that may be causing pain and/or spasm, which can interfere with the nerves that pass through the spine. By improving the nervous system’s ability to communicate, regulate and coordinate healing of the body, these techniques relieve nerve interference and can improve a broad range of health problems. The doctor will deliver a precise and careful joint manipulation to correct the misalignments or joint fixations.
Activator/Variable Adjuster
The Activator and Variable Adjuster are specially designed, hand-held chiropractic instruments that deliver precise and gentle corrections to misaligned joints and vertebrae. The instrument will be specifically placed against any area of joint discomfort and with a couple of clicks, they deliver a very fast pulse to stimulate nerve receptors and restore mobility to joints. These techniques can be helpful for people who are experiencing an intense, acutely painful episode, or for anyone who feels uncomfortable with the common “popping” sound often heard when joints are naturally released of pressure with traditional adjustments.
Thompson Drop Table
This treatment style incorporates the use of a special table that can be adjusted in various ways to accommodate patient comfort. Different sections of the table – designed to absorb most of the force of the adjustment – can be modified to support the patient’s weight as the practitioner applies a slow, steady, solid pulse. The sections below the area of the body being pressed on gently release, or subtly drop down, allowing the speed of gravity to assist in this gentle yet powerful technique. The result is a more comfortable adjustment to the patient, with less force being directly felt by the body.
Non-Force Joint Mobilization
This term refers to a variety of hands-on procedures that have been designed to very gently restore joint mobility and to relieve tension from the joints, muscles, and nerves. The sessions may involve the doctor gently touching key points along the spine and muscles, deep breathing techniques, gentle massage procedures and small active or passive body movements. This can be an excellent choice for young children, seniors, or sensitive patients dealing with deep-seated, chronic pain issues.
Myofacial Release
Myofascial Release is a soft tissue based massage technique that treats problems within muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. It can quickly resolve conditions like headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow that stem from overused muscles. It treats abnormalities by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.
Graston Technique® (GT)
This technique utilizes specialty instruments for the treatment of soft-tissue injuries. GT allows the practitioner to provide improved diagnostic treatment with a shorter rehabilitation time for the patient. Many chronic conditions, once thought to be permanent, can be eliminated without the need of anti-inflammatory medications.
Trigger Point Therapy
Muscles that are tired, overworked, under-worked or toxic can often signal trails of pain to certain areas of the body. Trigger points are areas in these muscles that can be the source of pain and discomfort. Trigger point therapy involves the use of sustained, specific pressure over these tender areas to allow them to relax and release slowly. Along with trigger point therapy, other muscle relaxation techniques can be utilized to lengthen, relax and strengthen muscles that are not functioning properly.
Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT)
This method identifies the connection between the base of the spine (sacrum) and the top of the spine (cranium/occiput). Focusing on the flow and natural rhythms of spinal fluid and breathing, the practitioner can identify when these rhythms are “off” and help bring back synchrony. This is done through gentle manual adjustments and the placement of a wedge under the hips while lying down, to allow gravity to gentle realign the hips and spine.
Applied Kinesiology (AK)
These muscle-testing systems are used to subtly determine possible underlying weaknesses, imbalances or stressors to the body (allergic, toxic-chemical, mechanical, emotional, or nutritional deficiencies) that cause ill health. A doctor specializing in these techniques makes a determination by evaluating the relative strength or weakness of any single muscle while touching reflex points on the surface of the body. These points correspond to specific organs, glands, energy meridians, and more. A kind of body scan is made. These types of approaches have been validated and reproducibly used by doctors of many specialties around the world.
Craniopathy
This technique treats neurosacral problems originating at the skull. The interlaced smaller bones of the cranium – which connect like puzzle pieces – should move in response to the flow of spinal fluid and breathing cycles. This method was developed to properly align these small bones and can especially benefit patients suffering from chronic headaches, TMJ or other general physical complaints.
Pediatrics
Many chiropractic techniques are gentle enough to be used in the healthcare of babies and children. From the stresses placed on a baby’s neck by a difficult birth to the many falls experienced by children learning to walk and play, babies and children are vulnerable to many strains and injuries that often don’t reveal themselves to parents, yet can affect the child’s health and growth. Chiropractic can gently help guide the direction of growth and wellness from an early age and has been clinically shown to help children deal with behavioral and health struggles such as ADD, learning difficulties, and scoliosis. Babies have been successfully treated for colic, as well as digestive, feeding and sleeping difficulties. Introducing your child to the chiropractic lifestyle can help them develop a more holistic and natural approach to their own health for the rest of their lives.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be one of the most wonderful times in a woman’s life. The unique physical challenges during pregnancy require unique treatment approaches. Chiropractic can guide expecting mothers through this beautiful process by helping relieve tension from the body and encouraging a more natural, holistic lifestyle. A healthy, relaxed mother will help with the development of a healthy, more relaxed child. Chiropractic can be effective in preparing a mother’s body for the delivery process and has also been shown to help moms “bounce back” quickly, with increased health and vitality.
Core Stabilization Exercises
At Total Health & Wellness, we do not only focus on pain relief. While it is our primary goal, we must focus on the need for corrective care and rehabilitation of the weakened or deconditioned area causing the problem. The doctor may recommend specific exercises to help keep certain conditions from recurring in the future. Good core strength is essential for maintaining good balance and posture.
Functional Taping
This method involves taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support, or to prevent over-contraction. One technique gives support while still a maintaining full range of motion. A second technique, which is most commonly used in the acute stage of rehabilitation, helps prevent overuse or over-contraction.
