Chiropractic Techniques
As your Innisfail, Trochu and central Alberta Chiropractor we are learning “state of the art” techniques through continuing education to ensure our patients have the highest quality of health.
What is a spinal adjustment and how does chiropractic work are asked all the time. The Chiropractic answer is there are many different ways to help each patient such as:
After identifying which spinal bones have lost their normal motion or position, a specific manual thrust is administered to free up “stuck” joints
After identifying which spinal bones have lost their normal motion or position, gonstead technique is specific adjustments based on the spinal listing based on rotational position of the vertbrae body.
A system of analysis and a special table that reduces the amount of energy needed to adjust your spine.
A gentle technique to induce motion in a joint with decreased range of motion using a spring loaded table.
Technique uses an adjusting tool that gives precise impulses to specific misaligned joints. https://www.activator.com/
One-To-Zero (OTZ) Health Education Systems trains licensed chiropractors in the evaluation and care to improve nervous system function via the correction of occipital-atlanto subluxation. This subluxation pattern, known as Hatcher-Murphy Subluxation (HMS), shows manifestation or dysfunction of the tissues involving the brainstem, the vagal nerve or cranial nerve 10 and the spinal accessory nerve or cranial nerve 11. When this occipital-atlanto manifestation is corrected, it seems to have an immediate impact on multiple disorders and behaviors. Manifestation of HMS in children can result in many behavioral and developmental disorders. HMS in adults can show through Migraines, Insomnia, Bell’s palsy, Tic disorders and many other neurological illnesses. http://otzhealthed.com/
Dr. Dave has taken years of courses through the International Chiropractic Pediatrics association. He has a passion to treating young children to ensure they become healthy adults. http://icpa4kids.com/index.php
Our specialized table allows expecting moms to lay face down with the middle of the table dropping down for room with baby. Less stress on mom equals less stress on baby, if you move well it helps prevent complications during birth. It is gently, effective and safe. Every mom wants healthy children, this is a great tool to ensure success.
A technique first analyzing the dural attachments of the spinal cord at the top and bottom of the spine. It has some of the highest success rates in North America reducing tension in the key anchor points of the spinal cord.
Concussion, headache, posture, balance and gait assessments plus rehab. Motor controlled exercise- systemized short term rehab for pain, performance, injury prevention and aging well. Assessment and rehab for numerous brain and neurological conditions.
Concussions
Traumatic Brain Injury is an ever evolving learning experience for all professions. Dr. Dave has taken many courses to learn about brain injuries and concussions. His son at age 2.5 lost his speech due to a concussion and Dr. Dave has taken upon himself to learn many strategies to heal and rehab. Learning disabilities are very common and there are simple strategies that parents can do at home to help their children. We all want healthy kids, together we can achieve this.
We have a concussion protocol assessment from sports injuries to motor vehicle accidents. Most importantly we have a team in place including Chiropractic, Massage, Acupuncture and nutritional counselling to maximize your results. We have learned that both sensory and neuromechanical techniques are important because your brain has different components to rehab. We look forward to getting you back on track.
If you’ve been to a chiropractor before and prefer to be adjusted in a particular way, let Dr. Dave Blocksom know. We want you to relax, enjoy and fully benefit from your chiropractic care.
Acupuncture
https://www.acupuncturecanada.org/
Acupuncture stimulates the balance and flow of Qi energy that in Traditional Chinese Medicine is considered essential to health. When the body is healthy, Qi (pronounced chee), flows smoothly through the meridians that make up a conceptual network of pathways throughout the entire body. When the balance or flow of Qi is deficient or obstructed it may be diseased or susceptible to illness. Acupuncture treats both the symptoms and the root causes of the patient’s illness. We also provide cupping to help remove inflammation and stagnation of blood. Electrical stimulation on needles can also be used to improve blood flow. Where blood flows,energy goes!
Dr. Sarah’s acupuncture knowledge and experience add a whole new skillset to our team. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, she can assess your health needs on all three levels, physical, mental and emotional. Acupuncture can also be used as preventative medicine to help build immunity and overall wellbeing.
examples would be- acute and chronic pain (physical)-PTSD,ADHD (mental)- depression and anxiety (emotional)
Graston Technique
http://www.grastontechnique.com/home
- This is a remarkable technique that allows us to detect and treat scar tissue in muscles, tendons and ligaments.
- What is scar tissue? Scar tissue is our bodies’ way of repairing muscles, tendons and ligaments. Overtime you can have a build up of this scar tissue especially in areas that see a lot of use. This leads to pain and dysfunction as this replacement tissue lacks the strength and flexibility of healthy tissue.
- The Graston Technique allows us to better detect and treat these areas. It uses stainless steel instruments that glide along patient’s muscles, tendons and ligaments. Once knots or bands of scar tissue are found the instrument can then be used to break up as much of this tissue as it can.
Muscle Release Therapy
Aids in the release of tightness and scar tissue in muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Kinesio Taping
- Kinesio Taping gives support and stability to your joints and muscles. Kinesio taping is excellent to use as it does not affect circulation or restrict your range of motion.
- The Kinesio Taping Method is used to reduce pain and inflammation in muscles, relax overtired muscles and to support muscles in movement.
- Attention is given to the importance of muscle function and the act of treating muscles in order to activate the body’s own healing process. It was discovered that by using elastic tape, muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance.
Registered Massage Therapists
RMTs with the 2200 hours required now by most insurance companies. They offer:
- Relaxation Massage
- Therapeutic Massage
- Prenatal Massage
- LaStone Massage (hot and cold stones)
- Hot Stone Massage
- Reflexology (feet)
- Sport’s massage (Area specific to enhance performance)
Spinal Decompression Therapy… A non-surgical alternative
How is Spinal Decompression Therapy done?
You are fully clothed during spinal decompression therapy. Your healthcare provider fits you with two harnesses and you lie down on the computer-controlled table. The computer settings are then customized to your specific condition.
Does it work?
In a recent study of Spinal Decompression Therapy, 219 patients who had at least 4 weeks of symptoms from either degenerative disc disease or herniated disc were treated. The results were amazing! 86% reported immediate symptom relief and 84% were still pain free 90 days after their treatment was completed.
Is it painful?
No. In almost all cases, the treatments are completely painless and most people even notice a reduction of pain during their sessions. In fact, some people even fall asleep.
How long does it take?
Individual sessions typically last 20-30 minutes. To achieve long term health benefits, you will require several sessions. Your healthcare provider can develop a treatment plan that meets your goals based on your specific condition.
Will I still need other therapy?
Spinal Decompression Therapy is generally only one part your overall treatment plan. There are other therapies your healthcare provider may recommend to help speed up your healing process. These often include: ice or heat therapy, chiropractic adjustments and/or active rehabilitation to strengthen spinal muscles.
Spinal Decompression Therapy has helped many patients avoid spinal surgery.
Who should consider this type of therapy?
You should consider this type of therapy if you have:
- Suffered back or neck pain for over one week
- Sciatica
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Worn spinal joints (Called posterior facet syndrome)
- Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots (Called radiculopathy)
Can anyone be treated?
Spinal decompression therapy is not recommended for pregnant women, patients who have severe osteoporosis, severe obesity or nerve damage. It is also not recommended if you have had spinal surgery with instrumentation (screws, metal plates or cages).
For most patients, spinal decompression is a safe and effective therapy. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if spinal decompression is right for you and your specific condition.
How is spinal decompression different than traction?
Regular traction stretches your spine and muscles simultaneously. If you only stretch the spine, your body naturally “braces” for the next stretch reducing the ability for the treatment to be effective. This “overall stretching” commonly used in traction can also trigger painful muscle spasms.
Decompression therapy is different than conventional spinal traction; it alternates between stretching and relaxation. The relaxation stages, trick your body into staying relaxed and therefore maximizes the load and the effectiveness of the treatment.
Decompression tables should also allow your doctor or therapist to target your treatment area in 3 different dimensions. This isolates specific spinal discs and allows them to “target” their treatment, while traction often just “stretches” the entire spine.
In addition, your healthcare provider can completely customize your decompression treatment. They can change the amount of stretch (load), the quantity of stretch/relax stages, the amount of time it takes to reach peak stretch/relax stage and many other settings.
This allows them to personalize the session for your age, weight and condition and to adjust your treatments as they track your results.
What is spinal decompression therapy?
Over a decade ago, NASA noticed that astronauts were relieved of low back pain when they were in anti-gravity environments. They found that spinal disc heights were increased during space missions. With these specific findings, a new technology was developed called Spinal Decompression Therapy.
Decompression machines are specialized, motorized traction devices that allow your healthcare provider to position your spine and target an area for decompression therapy. They work by gently stretching your spine.
This “stretch” creates negative pressure within your spinal disc and allows disc material that was herniated or protruded to be pulled back into the disc. It also helps promote the movement of water, oxygen and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs so they can heal.
Increased disc height, relieves pressure on nerves and other structures.
Spinal Decompression: A non-surgical alternative.
Back pain is the number one cause of disability in people under 45 and the third leading cause of disability over 45. Spinal decompression therapy has been proven effective at relieving the pain and symptoms from many causes of back pain. For some patients, surgery can even be avoided with spinal decompression therapy.
If you are interested in finding out if spinal decompression therapy can benefit you or someone you know, contact us!
References
- Decompression: A treatment for back pain, Occupational Medicine Clinical Care Update, Volume 11, Number 10 October 2004
- Gionis,T. and Groteke, E. Spinal Decompression Vol 5., No 6, Orthopedic Technology Review, Nov/Dec 2003
- Ramos, G. and Martin, W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure J Neurosurgery, 81: 350-353 1994
- Shealy, C.N. and Leroy, P. New concepts in back pain: decompression, reduction, and stabilization Weiner R ed. Pain Management: A practical Guide for Clinicians, Boca Raton Fla: St. Lucie Press, 239-257-1998
- Eyerman E., MRI evidence of mechanical reduction and repair of the torn annulus disc. International Society of Neuroradiologists; October 1998; Orlando
- Narayan, P. and Morris, I.M. A preliminary audit of the management of acute back pain in the Kettering District Br J Rheumatol, 34:693-694 1995
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