Our goal is to provide accurate, unbiased information on the benefits of chiropractic care. Below you’ll find a list of common questions and answers. If you ever would like more detail, or have a specific question please contact us. A doctor will be more then happy to meet with you and address any questions you may have.
Activator Methods is based on the postulate that understanding body mechanics and force is the key to understanding how to move bones. A leg test is utilized to tell the doctor if the subluxation exists, chiefly in the lumbo-sacral area or cervical region of the spine. With further research into body mechanics, W.C. Lee D.C. and A.W. Fuhr D.C. were able to analyze the body and produce from the analysis consistent changes using a light non-force specific chiropractic adjustment. Lee and Fuhr understood that force was not necessary to correct subluxations in the body.
Two components are necessary for fast, effective reduction of nerve pressure caused by subluxations. They are speed and line of drive. Speed and line of drive are what make chiropractic the distinct and dynamic art and science that it is. The activator instrument was designed to deliver this specific dynamic thrust. It is a small hand-held gun-type mechanism that delivers a sharp percussive thrust upon triggering. The activator instrument controls the force and speed of the adjustment exceptionally well and with the activator, the line of drive can be more specific.
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is one of the methods of stretching used by today's athletes, massage therapists, personal/athletic trainers, and professionals. Active Isolated Stretching allows the body to repair itself and also to prepare for daily activity. The Active Isolated Stretching technique involves the method of holding each stretch for only two seconds. This method of stretching is also known to work with the body's natural physiological makeup to improve circulation and increase the elasticity of muscle joints and fascia.
The creator of Active Isolated Stretching is Aaron L. Mattes. Aaron Mattes has developed this method of proper athletic stretching over the past 35 years, working with thousands of patients, doctors, and health professionals. This can be an important tool to improve flexibility and help alleviate problems associated with many over-use injuries such as carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, lower back problems, and other ailments resulting from a lack of flexibility.
ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles. ART is non-invasive, very safe, has virtually no side effects, and has a record of producing very good results. When a soft tissue problem has resolved the symptoms will not return unless the injury happens again.
Cox Technique founder, Dr. Cox explains Cox Technique / Flexion-Distraction as a marriage of chiropractic principles with osteopathic principles. These principles were set forth by Alan Stoddard, DO, in his book, 'Manual of Osteopathic Technique' written about the manipulative procedures developed by John McManis, DO, in the early 1900's. Since the early 1970's, Dr. Cox has refined the technique; developed a manipulation instrument for effective use of the technique; conducted clinical and experimental research; lectured around the world; and written well-received articles, chapters for textbooks, and textbooks.
Cox Flexion-Distraction is a gentle, non-force adjusting procedure that works with the body's natural design to aid it in healing. Dr. Cox has developed a special table for effective use of the technique. The Cox Table (www.coxtable.com), a Flexion-Distraction table, is used to apply the distractive spinal adjustment. Tractioning the spine and then flexing it can resolve pain from joint and disc problems painlessly. It is a powerfully effective, conservative approach to low back and leg pain, and an alternative to explore before recommending surgery.
For patients with non-disc related conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac subluxation, stenosis), Cox Flexion-Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place spinal joints into normal movement to restore spinal motion without pain.
In 1939 William Sutherland hypothesized that the cranial bones actually articulate against one another. He was a student at the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri. He established that the cranium was capable of Primary Respiratory Mechanism and that the C.F.S. plays a vital “nutritive role” in all the tissues of the body. The meninges cover the brain and house the C.F.S. The dura matter is the outermost layer of the meninges and attaches to the foramen magnum, the upper cervical vertebrae and to the second sacral segment. He rationalized that when the head is traumatized the dura may become twisted and compressed producing dysfunctions and ill health.
In the mid 70’s John Upledger proved that the bones of the skull sutures moved 100th of an inch and contained blood vessels, nerve fibers and connective tissues. Upledger and his research team from the Michigan State University studied fresh cadavers using electron microscopes, radio waves and cinematographic X-rays to prove that the cranial bones moved. When fusion occurs in the skull it is a pathological condition resulting from a trauma that has interfered with normal joint mobility and function. Upledger developed a technique called Cranial Sacral Therapy (C.S.T.). This is an extremely light touch technique taught mostly to massage therapists.
Through the years the techniques have changed and been developed thanks to the contributions of both chiropractors and osteopaths. Dr. Roger Turner, a chiropractor, more recently developed Cranial Adjusting Turner Style (C.A.T.S.) to include over 80 different adjusting procedures.
From 1986 on the technique expanded to include: head injuries, chronic head aches (that were not responding to cervical adjustments), autism, A.D.D., A.D.H.D., O.D.D., P.D.D., O.C.D., epilepsy, even the symptoms of Downs Syndrome and a wide variety of behavioral and learning difficulties.
C.A.T.S. is unlike any of the other cranial adjusting techniques, it is not a light touch, its approach is unique.
Subluxations do not stop at the atlas; trauma is not limited to the spine and extremities. Much attention is paid to the protection of the head with the insistence that helmets be used for various sports. Some of them are very effective; such as the football helmet, others are less effective, the hockey helmet for example and others are almost totally ineffective like the bicycle helmet. A head injury can occur during childbirth, then falls in infancy from the head hitting the edge of a coffee table, or if the child tumbles down the stairs. The incidence of head injuries from hits from baseball bats, swings, balls, pucks, fists, sports injuries, car and industrial accidents are extremely common. Unfortunately, most of these patients do not receive adequate care for these injuries and their conditions deteriorate and result in chronic debilitating health problems.
Post concussion syndrome is an excellent example of what happens when a head injury is not corrected. The injury to the head is sufficient enough to cause temporary unconsciousness in some cases. The patient survives, but has many acute symptoms such as: headaches, blurred vision, speech difficulties, memory lapses, brain fog, emotional irregularities, decreased reflexes, altered coordination, and behavior changes. If the cranial subluxations that resulted from the head injury are not corrected these symptoms persist and become chronic, causing a life time of pain, emotional roller-coastering, cognitive disorders and cognitive difficulties resulting in a sub-standard level of life and health.
Diversified Technique is the classic chiropractic technique, developed by D.D. Palmer, DC. and taught in all chiropractic colleges. Diversified Technique was refined and developed by the late Otto Reinert, DC, to address biomechanical dysfunction in each section of the spine. The focus is on restoration of normal biomechanical function.
Diversified adjusting of the spine uses very precise lines of drive for all manual thrusts, allowing for specificity in correcting mechanical distortions of the spine. Motion palpation and full spine, hands-on techniques are used to deliver a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust, which makes an osseous (popping) sound as the adjustment is given.
When a patient starts to feel better, we want to ensure that they continue to stay better. To help accomplish that, we design exercise strategies to help keep the body strong and minimize the opportunity for re-injury. Instruction in proper ergonomics is also strongly addressed for the very same reason.
Extremity adjusting is extremely important in the care of all joints beyond the spine. Everything from the fingers to the toes can be injured and become dysfunctional, causing long-term pain and discomfort. These techniques can be employed for the acute injury or the chronic arthritic joint to help in effectively managing those who had always thought or been told they were beyond help. Even mundane "nuisance" problems can often be fully resolved with very little intervention.
Custom foot orthotics are inserted in the shoes to help relieve imbalances in the feet and body, and help with pelvic & spinal distortion. They are often prescribed for foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, and are useful in the management of many musculoskeletal disorders such as knee pain and lower back pain. We utilize several different manufacturers of flexible, custom-made foot orthotics to ensure the specific needs of the patient are best being met.
Developed by chiropractor Clarence Gonstead over the course of 50 years of practice, this mechanically inclined technique to this day remains a cornerstone of contemporary chiropractic practice. He utilized x-ray analysis, static and motion palpation, spinal thermography, and visualization to ensure he could be as precise as possible in his analysis. Great care is taken to ensure a bio-mechanically correct position and precise thrust to provide the most accurate and painless adjustment possible. Gonstead technique is where the adjustment of the cervical spine while seated first originated.
Graston Technique, developed by athletes, is an innovative patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue, adhesive and fascial restrictions. The technique utiilizes specially designed instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.
As it is used in Applied Kinesiology, this system of muscle testing can be used to aid greatly in determining exactly which muscles and nerves around a joint have been injured and to what extent. When utilized correctly, it can also provide immediate feedback to determine if a chosen treatment has been effective or not. This type of testing is especially useful in diagnosis and with athletes who do not realize that they have weaknesses which are capable of greatly inhibiting their performance.
The body's nutritional requirements vary depending on age, activity level, fitness level, environmental pollution, stress levels, and genetics. Nutrition plays a large role in the maintenance of one's health and the capacity of the body to heal. Many times nutritional supplementation is able to aid dramatically in the management of even serious disease. Nutrition also has plays a large part in the maintenance of one's ideal body weight.
Originally developed by the founder of chiropractic, Dr. D.D. Palmer, the technique places great emphasis on ensuring that the upper portion of the cervical spine (neck) is free of subluxation. It utilizes precise x-ray film biomechanical analysis, spinal analysis instrumentation, and the use of a specialized drop mechanism to provide a very precise and controlled adjustment.
The Pierce-Stillwagon Technique is a system of analyzing and adjusting the spine that combines previously understood concepts with a very simplified, logical and effective procedure to correct the vertebral subluxation complex.
Developed by Dr. Glenn Stillwagon and Dr. Vern Pierce beginning in 1963, the technique requires the use of a specialized table with drop-assist pelvic and cervical pads. It uses X-ray analysis, instrumentation and other physical findings to objectify case management. The adjustment is given by hand or with a Kinetic Precision Adjuster.
Designed by a leading chiropractor, the Rapid Release Technology tool uses the latest patented, medical grade vibration technology to break down scar tissue, free up fascia restrictions and relieve pain associated with dozens of conditions.
Thompson Terminal Point Technique is built around the research of Dr. J Clay Thompson and Dr. Romer Derifield. Dr. Derifield created a set of rules for checking the legs to determine the point of the subluxation in the pelvic, lumbar, and cervical areas.
Using a Thompson terminal point table, a special weighing mechanism in the table weighs the patient and adds only enough tension to hold the patient in the "up" position before a corrective thrust is given, at which point the adjusted part drops approximately 1 inch before coming to an abrupt stop, providing a "drop assisted" adjustment.
Trigger Point started as a research project for Cassidy Phillips, a well-trained athlete who suffered from fibromyalgia. Phillips needed to find a solution for the continuous pain throughout his body. Cassidy spent years researching his condition and refused to settle with doctor's recommendations of never training again.
During his research, Phillips worked heavily in trigger point therapy, which utilizes key areas of the body to release tension and create blood flow to the area. The therapy was working for him except that it was difficult to work on himself. His solution was to find a material that mimicked the pressure and accuracy of a thumb. He needed a material with significant denseness that could change shape and manipulate the muscle. He finally developed a patented material that changes shape after five to seven seconds, thus aiding in penetrating the belly of the muscle safely and effectively when ample pressure is applied, much like traditional massage. The techniques used with Trigger Point can be used by the average person at home with minimal training.