Chiropractic Techniques
Diversified
The Diversified technique is the most widely used and recognized chiropractic technique. Trusted by various practitioners, including osteopaths, it is characterized by a high-velocity, low-amplitude movement. In this technique, the doctors hands are used to palpate and evaluate the segmental motion of the spinal vertebrae and then placed specifically on that segment to restore it to its proper and optimal range of motion.
Webster Technique
The Webster technique is utilized for a woman presenting with a breech, transverse or posterior baby. The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment which reduces pelvic torsion and muscle and ligament tension to improve whole pelvic alignment, thereby reducing torsion to the uterus and potential intrauterine constraint. This can allow for the baby to then get into the best possible position for birth. Dr. Amber and Dr. Malia maintain a current certificate for Webster Technique through the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association).
Flexion - Distraction
Flexion-Distraction is a therapeutic technique used to treat people with a multitude of spinal conditions. It is a painless, non-invasive procedure performed using a special treatment table that allows the practitioner to gently stretch the patient’s back while also adding gentle pressure to different parts of the spine. The table moves in a smooth rhythmic fashion as the practitioner stabilizes different spinal segments.
Flexion-Distraction is commonly used for disc injuries, but the treatment can also be effective in many other conditions including general low back pain and decreased range of motion. The motion of the table along with the pressure applied by the Doctor’s hand work together to allow the individual vertebra to be gently and subtly moved, thereby taking pressure off of the disc and spinal nerves. Most patients love the feeling of having more normal motion re-introduced into their lower back.
Activator Method
The Activator method utilizes a small tool called an Activator to adjust spinal segments. This technique can be performed without a resulting cavitation or 'popping' noise. Those patients who do not like manual chiropractic adjustments with the hands or table will often receive their treatment via the Activator. With this method we are able to apply a low amplitude adjustment to a specific segment, resulting in improved range of motion without high velocity or again, the 'popping' or 'cracking'. This tool is often used with pediatric adjustments, adjustments to extremities, ribs and the pubic bone for SPD.
IASTM/Gua sha
Gua Sha (or Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, IASTM) is a traditional Chinese medical treatment in which the tissue is mobilized with small tools. Ancient practitioners believed Gua Sha released unhealthy elements from injured areas and used it to stimulate blood flow and healing to the area. Gua Sha is helpful in the recovery of plantar-fascitis, ilio-tibial band tension and pain as well as various areas of the upper and lower extremities.
Kinesio Taping
The word “kinesio” means movement. Kinesio taping is a way to support and protect joints while allowing or enhancing their movement. Movement is necessary to the healing process because movement fires neural pathways that force your brain to respond. When a joint is immobilized in a sling or brace, these neural pathways are not fired and the joint and surrounding tissues begin to atrophy. Sometimes, immobilization is necessary for broken bones to have time to heal. In most other cases that do not involve a broken bone, the joint should not be immobilized because the tissues around the joint need to be used so that they do not atrophy, and the injury can heal properly. Kinesio taping can be extremely useful in these situations, because practitioners can apply the tape in such a way that allows relatively normal range of motion, while limiting extreme ranges of motion that may re-injure tissues.
Kinesio taping can also help promote the movement of fluid, which can rapidly decrease the time it takes to rehab an injury. When the tape is applied along the body’s natural drainage channels, it can cause pressure gradients because of the way it causes the adjacent skin to ripple. These pressure gradients force fluid (swelling) to drain away from the effected area.
Logan Basic Technique
The Logan Basic Technique is a low force technique used to reduce tension in the sacra-tuberous ligament. Decreasing tension in this area can allow for proper sacral alignment in the patient. This alignment can help to decrease low back pain, sciatica symptoms, piriformis syndrome and glut pain and reduce pelvic torsion.
Thompson Drop
Thompson drop is a method attained using a specific table. The table itself has small 'drops' at each area of the spine. These drops are set to specific tensions, light force is put into the joint or segment which is being adjusted and the table gives while that force is applied. The technique allows for further range of motion to be applied to the joint while maintaining a gentle and soft contact with the area. This area is most often utilized in the pelvic region, most commonly for perinatal patients, sometimes in the thoracic and at times in lumbar or cervical.
Ultrasound for Blocked Milk Duct
Breastfeeding is normal, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. While breastfeeding, baby’s latch should create a vacuum effect which promotes the removal of milk from breast allowing for further milk production. When milk is not effectively removed, a block or clog can form in the duct. Ultrasound is a treatment which has been shown to dilate the ducts, break the clog up into smaller pieces, and allow it to move towards the nipple for proper removal by breastfeeding or pumping. It is noninvasive and painless. Click to read more about how ultrasound works or the research behind it!