About Chiropractic Care
About Chiropractic Treatment Techniques
Diversified Chiropractic Technique: is the most commonly used chiropractic technique and consists of the chiropractor using a high velocity, low amplitude thrust using a combination of either the hands or the chiropractic table. This technique can be used on any synovial joint in the body. The purpose of this technique is to restore proper motion of the joint.
Joint Manipulation/ Mobilization: A joint mobilization is when a joint is taken to the end of its range that it can achieve with help from a practitioner. A manipulation occurs when the same joint is taken to the end of its range and then slightly further. Through this process, a cavitation will result. A cavitation is the popping sound one hears following a manipulation and is the result of gas bubbles escaping from the joint. This results in smoother motion of the joint and less restriction in range of motion. To see a manipulation occurring on a patient with MRI which demonstrates this please click this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZNENkkf5Uw
Soft Tissue Therapy: Soft tissue therapies are used in chiropractic treatments because most syndromes are multifactorial. Though there might be a restricted joint that isn’t moving so well, this can cause a cascade of effects in which the muscles around that area start to become sore due to not being able to go through their full range of motion as the joint is now not moving properly. Alternatively for other patients, they may have a muscle injury in which they are unable to move through their normal range of motion which leads to a restriction of the joint that would now need to be addressed.
Prior to an adjustment, soft tissue therapy performed on surrounding musculature reduces muscle guarding and tension and allows for an easier adjustment that is more comfortable for the patient.
Electrical Therapy
Electrical therapy is performed by using electrical currents that run through the affected muscles of the patient. Using different settings, the practitioner can use the electrical modality for different functions. One of the functions of the electrical modality is to relax the surrounding musculature that is over stimulated by the body. Adding stimulation to the musculature causes a relaxation effect and pain starts to dissipate because of it. Another use of the modality is to stimulate a muscle that is not quite functioning properly. If the muscle is not firing properly and is not being engaged, the electrical therapy forces the muscle to act. The goal is to have the muscle fire on its own due to being taught how to do the movement correctly.
Dr. Ken Alexander also uses:
Diversified Chiropractic Technique: is the most commonly used chiropractic technique and consists of the chiropractor using a high velocity, low amplitude thrust using a combination of either the hands or the chiropractic table. This technique can be used on any synovial joint in the body. The purpose of this technique is to restore proper motion of the joint.
Joint Manipulation/ Mobilization: A joint mobilization is when a joint is taken to the end of its range that it can achieve with help from a practitioner. A manipulation occurs when the same joint is taken to the end of its range and then slightly further. Through this process, a cavitation will result. A cavitation is the popping sound one hears following a manipulation and is the result of gas bubbles escaping from the joint. This results in smoother motion of the joint and less restriction in range of motion. To see a manipulation occurring on a patient with MRI which demonstrates this please click this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZNENkkf5Uw
Soft Tissue Therapy: Soft tissue therapies are used in chiropractic treatments because most syndromes are multifactorial. Though there might be a restricted joint that isn’t moving so well, this can cause a cascade of effects in which the muscles around that area start to become sore due to not being able to go through their full range of motion as the joint is now not moving properly. Alternatively for other patients, they may have a muscle injury in which they are unable to move through their normal range of motion which leads to a restriction of the joint that would now need to be addressed.
Prior to an adjustment, soft tissue therapy performed on surrounding musculature reduces muscle guarding and tension and allows for an easier adjustment that is more comfortable for the patient.
Electrical Therapy
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Electrical therapy is performed by using electrical currents that run through the affected muscles of the patient. Using different settings, the practitioner can use the electrical modality for different functions. One of the functions of the electrical modality is to relax the surrounding musculature that is over stimulated by the body. Adding stimulation to the musculature causes a relaxation effect and pain starts to dissipate because of it. Another use of the modality is to stimulate a muscle that is not quite functioning properly. If the muscle is not firing properly and is not being engaged, the electrical therapy forces the muscle to act. The goal is to have the muscle fire on its own due to being taught how to do the movement correctly.
Dr. Ken Alexander also uses:
- Myofascial Release Therapy
- Acupressure
- Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
- Rehabilitative Exercises
- Lifestyle Coaching and Health Promotion
Conditions Commonly Treated With Chiropractic Care
Achillodynia (achilles pain)
The main symptoms from achillodynia are primarily caused by tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon) which is treated locally with manual therapy, assessment of the range of motion of the ankle and in some cases with shock wave therapy. We often also see shortening of the calf muscles with achilles tendonitis and therefore typically also treat these contractures. Releasing these trigger point areas of pain is typically very relieving and studies show that it ensures a lasting improvement in the frequently restricted active ankle joint extension from 16 degrees to 25 degrees after 4 to 5 sessions.
Adductor Tendinopathies
The adductors or inner thigh muscles can often be a problem area and are prone to tendonitis at the insertion points at the knee and groin. They are also highly prone to developing trigger points that can masquerade as knee or hip pain. Both can be treated with manual therapy, pnf stretching, self massage and in very stubborn cases with shockwave therapy.
Anterior Tibial Syndrome
Anterior Tibial Syndrome is common among runners and after going downhill such as a mountain descent during a hike due to overuse and strain. Manual therapy, prescribed stretches and strengthening exercises, assessment of biomechanics and foot mechanics would be our first approach. If needed, Shockwave therapy can be very effective in releasing Anterior Tibial Syndrome.
Cervicalgia, Cervical Cephalalgia, Cervicobrachialgia (Neck Pain)
Neck and upper back pain points react particularly well to chiropractic and manual therapy. Pain and tension in the muscles of the upper back and neck can radiate into the head causing tension headaches, TMJ pain and/or inner ear pain. They can also radiate into the shoulders and mid back, put pressure on the brachial plexus causing numbness and tingling down the arms (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome). A locked up neck can often be coming from a misalignment of the cervical vertabra and will therefore be relieved by a chiropractic adjustment and some manual therapy. The muscles and joints are typically treated as they affect each other and can continue to drive the problem if only one is treated and not the other as well.
Dorsalgia (Back Pain) & Sciatica
Back pain and sciatica that is caused by a trigger point, often found in the multifidi, rotator muscles, paraspinals, QL or piriformis muscles can be relieved with shockwave therapy. As can chronic pain and tension in the parascapular (between the shoulder blades) area where the rhomboids, serratus posterior and lower traps are located. Your body can get into a pain/tension cycle that won't let go until there is some sort of intervention. Typically other modalities would be used to treat these first, and if not effective shockwave therapy can be an excellent alternative option to release stubborn trigger points.
Metatarsalgia
Pain in the forefoot is frequently caused by splay foot or related overstrain of the longitudinal and transverse muscles. This pain can be reliably eliminated with radial shock waves in 4 to 5 sessions, provided that it is not accompanied by periosteal irritations of the metatarsals and that Morton's neuromas are excluded. Dr. Alexander would be able to tell you if your foot pain is treatable with shockwave therapy, or if another course of treatment would be more appropriate.
Shoulder Pain and Restricted Shoulder Mobility
Many types of shoulder pain originate in the periarticular muscles and cause restricted mobility. For example, dysfunction in the infraspinatus muscle (attached to the lower portion of the shoulder blade and is part of the rotator cuff) will typically reduced internal rotation and result in anterior shoulder pain. Dysfunction in the subscapularis muscle (between shoulder blade and ribcage) will typically reduced external rotation and cause posterior shoulder pain. Referred pain in the lateral upper arm may be caused by trigger points in the horizontal part of the trapezius muscle, in the supraspinatus muscle and in the deltoid muscle. Dr Alexander can assess the arthrokinematics of your shoulder range of motion and determine where the problem is coming from. It can then be treated with manual therapy, stretches, strengthening exercises and in extremely stubborn cases, shockwave therapy.
FYI: Frozen shoulder, a condition characterized by painful shoulder stiffness and pain caused by capsular contracture, cannot be treated successfully with trigger point shock wave therapy. Talk to your MD about a cortisone injection in the early phase of freezing for best results and then leave it alone.
Patellar chondropathy
This condition is often characterized by a shortened quadriceps and by trigger points in the medial and lateral vastus muscles near the knee joint. Quadriceps shortening can be measuring with the heel-to-buttock distance test in prone position. This can be treated with manual therapy to the affected muscles, strengthening exercises and shockwave therapy if necessary.
Patellar Tendonitis
In addition to the symptomatic tendonitis, which can be treated locally with focused shock waves, this condition is often characterized by a shortened quadriceps muscle. Although trigger point shock wave therapy provides excellent quadriceps relaxation, the tendonitis often takes several months to cure completely.
Pelvic/Hip pain/Sciatica
Pelvic and/or hip pain can be caused by many imbalance issues and could be coming from the legs, hips or from farther up the kinetic chain, into the back. A common cause is misalignment of the SI joints and/or trigger points in the gluteal muscles and the external hip rotators.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is often treated with Shockwave Therapy due to its 94% cure rate withing 3-5 treatments. We do however offer other treatment options for this inflammatory condition affecting the fascia on the bottom of the foot.
Radial and Ulnar Epicondylopathy (Tennis Elbow & Golfers Elbow)
Tennis elbow (tendonitis of the forarm extensors) and golofers elbow (tendonitis of the forearm flexors) are very commonly seen in people who work at a desk all day and do a lot of mousing. These conditions are typically from overuse and can be resolved by identifying where the muscle imbalance is, and using a combination of manual therapy and exercises. In particularly stubborn cases, shockwave therapy may be recommended and is typically highly successful. You may wonder why we don't always suggest shockwave as the first option, and it's simply because it can be quite painful if the area is very inflammed. We like to try the least invasive options first, so we are putting you through the least amount of discomfort possible. That being said, sometimes shockwave therapy is the best option.
Shin Splints
Tendons and the periosteum are the dominant pathological features of shin splints and must be treated with assessment of foot mechanics and leg mechanics, gait analysis, changing footwear, manual therapy, or shock wave.
Chiropractors treat a wide variety of conditions. If you are unsure if Chiropractic is the best option, feel free to all us and ask. We are always happy to point you in the right direction and recommend the best course of treatment.
Achillodynia (achilles pain)
The main symptoms from achillodynia are primarily caused by tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon) which is treated locally with manual therapy, assessment of the range of motion of the ankle and in some cases with shock wave therapy. We often also see shortening of the calf muscles with achilles tendonitis and therefore typically also treat these contractures. Releasing these trigger point areas of pain is typically very relieving and studies show that it ensures a lasting improvement in the frequently restricted active ankle joint extension from 16 degrees to 25 degrees after 4 to 5 sessions.
Adductor Tendinopathies
The adductors or inner thigh muscles can often be a problem area and are prone to tendonitis at the insertion points at the knee and groin. They are also highly prone to developing trigger points that can masquerade as knee or hip pain. Both can be treated with manual therapy, pnf stretching, self massage and in very stubborn cases with shockwave therapy.
Anterior Tibial Syndrome
Anterior Tibial Syndrome is common among runners and after going downhill such as a mountain descent during a hike due to overuse and strain. Manual therapy, prescribed stretches and strengthening exercises, assessment of biomechanics and foot mechanics would be our first approach. If needed, Shockwave therapy can be very effective in releasing Anterior Tibial Syndrome.
Cervicalgia, Cervical Cephalalgia, Cervicobrachialgia (Neck Pain)
Neck and upper back pain points react particularly well to chiropractic and manual therapy. Pain and tension in the muscles of the upper back and neck can radiate into the head causing tension headaches, TMJ pain and/or inner ear pain. They can also radiate into the shoulders and mid back, put pressure on the brachial plexus causing numbness and tingling down the arms (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome). A locked up neck can often be coming from a misalignment of the cervical vertabra and will therefore be relieved by a chiropractic adjustment and some manual therapy. The muscles and joints are typically treated as they affect each other and can continue to drive the problem if only one is treated and not the other as well.
Dorsalgia (Back Pain) & Sciatica
Back pain and sciatica that is caused by a trigger point, often found in the multifidi, rotator muscles, paraspinals, QL or piriformis muscles can be relieved with shockwave therapy. As can chronic pain and tension in the parascapular (between the shoulder blades) area where the rhomboids, serratus posterior and lower traps are located. Your body can get into a pain/tension cycle that won't let go until there is some sort of intervention. Typically other modalities would be used to treat these first, and if not effective shockwave therapy can be an excellent alternative option to release stubborn trigger points.
Metatarsalgia
Pain in the forefoot is frequently caused by splay foot or related overstrain of the longitudinal and transverse muscles. This pain can be reliably eliminated with radial shock waves in 4 to 5 sessions, provided that it is not accompanied by periosteal irritations of the metatarsals and that Morton's neuromas are excluded. Dr. Alexander would be able to tell you if your foot pain is treatable with shockwave therapy, or if another course of treatment would be more appropriate.
Shoulder Pain and Restricted Shoulder Mobility
Many types of shoulder pain originate in the periarticular muscles and cause restricted mobility. For example, dysfunction in the infraspinatus muscle (attached to the lower portion of the shoulder blade and is part of the rotator cuff) will typically reduced internal rotation and result in anterior shoulder pain. Dysfunction in the subscapularis muscle (between shoulder blade and ribcage) will typically reduced external rotation and cause posterior shoulder pain. Referred pain in the lateral upper arm may be caused by trigger points in the horizontal part of the trapezius muscle, in the supraspinatus muscle and in the deltoid muscle. Dr Alexander can assess the arthrokinematics of your shoulder range of motion and determine where the problem is coming from. It can then be treated with manual therapy, stretches, strengthening exercises and in extremely stubborn cases, shockwave therapy.
FYI: Frozen shoulder, a condition characterized by painful shoulder stiffness and pain caused by capsular contracture, cannot be treated successfully with trigger point shock wave therapy. Talk to your MD about a cortisone injection in the early phase of freezing for best results and then leave it alone.
Patellar chondropathy
This condition is often characterized by a shortened quadriceps and by trigger points in the medial and lateral vastus muscles near the knee joint. Quadriceps shortening can be measuring with the heel-to-buttock distance test in prone position. This can be treated with manual therapy to the affected muscles, strengthening exercises and shockwave therapy if necessary.
Patellar Tendonitis
In addition to the symptomatic tendonitis, which can be treated locally with focused shock waves, this condition is often characterized by a shortened quadriceps muscle. Although trigger point shock wave therapy provides excellent quadriceps relaxation, the tendonitis often takes several months to cure completely.
Pelvic/Hip pain/Sciatica
Pelvic and/or hip pain can be caused by many imbalance issues and could be coming from the legs, hips or from farther up the kinetic chain, into the back. A common cause is misalignment of the SI joints and/or trigger points in the gluteal muscles and the external hip rotators.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is often treated with Shockwave Therapy due to its 94% cure rate withing 3-5 treatments. We do however offer other treatment options for this inflammatory condition affecting the fascia on the bottom of the foot.
Radial and Ulnar Epicondylopathy (Tennis Elbow & Golfers Elbow)
Tennis elbow (tendonitis of the forarm extensors) and golofers elbow (tendonitis of the forearm flexors) are very commonly seen in people who work at a desk all day and do a lot of mousing. These conditions are typically from overuse and can be resolved by identifying where the muscle imbalance is, and using a combination of manual therapy and exercises. In particularly stubborn cases, shockwave therapy may be recommended and is typically highly successful. You may wonder why we don't always suggest shockwave as the first option, and it's simply because it can be quite painful if the area is very inflammed. We like to try the least invasive options first, so we are putting you through the least amount of discomfort possible. That being said, sometimes shockwave therapy is the best option.
Shin Splints
Tendons and the periosteum are the dominant pathological features of shin splints and must be treated with assessment of foot mechanics and leg mechanics, gait analysis, changing footwear, manual therapy, or shock wave.
Chiropractors treat a wide variety of conditions. If you are unsure if Chiropractic is the best option, feel free to all us and ask. We are always happy to point you in the right direction and recommend the best course of treatment.