CHIROPRACTIC & REHABILITATION
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
is a method of accessing the body's vital energy, or Qi (pronounced "chee"),
by stimulating various points on the body with the insertion of micro-fine
needles. The goal of acupuncture is to restore the body's natural balance
which is often upset by injury, disease, or stress. The acupuncturist
inserts needles into specific points on channels or "meridians" - 14 energetic
pathways mapped on the body through which Qi flows. These meridians run
just beneath the skin like flowing rivers to communicate with the body's
major organs. Specific points along particular meridians activate the
body's energy to facilitate healing of the root cause, as well as alleviating
the symptoms.
Acupuncture
needles are extremely thin and flexible. Upon insertion, one may feel
a slight sensation of heaviness or tingling at the point when the Qi is
reached. Sterile, disposable needles are generally left in place for 10
to 30 minutes, depending on the diagnosis. Patients sometimes report feelings
of relaxation or euphoria following acupuncture treatments.
Electro-acupuncture
To strongly stimulate
Qi, acupuncture needles can be connected to an Electro-acupuncture stimulator
which delivers an electric pulse through the needles. The frequency and
strength of the electric pulse can be varied to achieve the desired effect
for each patient.
Herbology
An integral part of Oriental medicine is the use of herbs, which can substantially aid in the restoration and maintenance of the body's natural balance.
Herbs are highly specific in their actions, and herbal formulas containing a range of herbs with various properties can target certain aspects of disharmony.
Made from organic substances such as plants, flowers, minerals and animal products, herbal remedies are the precursors of Western pharmaceuticals. However, herbs rarely elicit side effects and have been proven safe and effective during thousands of years of use.
Herbal formulas can
be specifically designed for the individual patient's needs. Patients
can take herbs in the form of teas brewed from raw herbs, prepared pills,
powders, or tinctures.
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Moxibustion Moxibustion
involves applying heat from the slow-burning herb called mugwort
(Artemisia vulgaris) over acupuncture points to stimulate the flow
of Qi and warm the channels. |
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Cupping To increase
the flow and circulation of Qi and blood, glass globes are applied
to the skin over acupuncture points. Slightly heated, these cups
create a vacuum suction to draw the Qi and blood to the surface
of the skin to help restore their smooth flow. |
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Tui Na and Massage Therapy Massage is widely
used in Oriental medicine to promote Qi and blood flow throughout
the body. Tui Na combines acupressure, massage and stretching to
help restore balance in the body. Similarly, chiropractic care uses
massage to restore normal joint motion, normalize nerve and blood
flow in the area and to reduce pain. |
Spinal
Manipulation / Adjustments
Spinal manipulation and adjustment emphasize the restoration of proper motion between articular surfaces and associated soft tissue structures. The adjustment technique will be altered depending upon a patient's age, sex, nature and longevity of the problem, general health status, and effectiveness of previous and present therapy. The adjustment of choice will be skillfully applied, with consideration of the direction and the extent of joint restoration.
Adjustments may be performed manually or mechanically, actively or passively. The purpose of an adjustment is to restore normal articular relationship and function, thereby restoring neurological integrity and aiding physiological processes.
Some of the adjustment
techniques used include Diversified, Sacro-Occipital, Thompson Drop Table,
Flexion Distraction, Activator.
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Heat benefits the body by dilating, or enlarging, blood vessels thereby stimulating blood flow and delivery of nutrients to the body's tissues. It also relaxes muscles and when used at the appropriate time in the healing process, accelerates healing. Some methods used to deliver the heat include moist hot packs, ultrasound, and infrared light. Cold, usually
administered as an ice pack, is one of the most under-rated and
under-utilized therapies. It is an effective analgesic and inflammation
reducer. In the acute, or inflammatory, phase when the body's injured
area is hot to the touch, swollen and tender, ice packs cool the
area and inactivate the inflammatory process. One of the most convenient
methods of delivering cold is with the reusable ice pack. |
Heat
and Cold Therapy
To
maintain the muscular tone and elasticity, stretches and exercises are
very important. Initially, stretches to balance the joint are performed,
followed by strengthening exercises to stabilize the joint. Also a cardiovascular
benefit is achieved with regular exercise, as is weight control and weight
loss.
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Traction Traction therapy is used to distract a joint or increase joint space. It is commonly used on vertebral disc herniations, or bulges, which provides relief to the affected nerves. The patient is trained to perform the traction at home or office during the day, thereby allowing the person to maintain the treatment progress without being solely dependent on office visits. There are several methods to doing traction depending on the particular condition and response to treatments. |