Electrical
Muscle Stimulation, or e-stim is used for pain relief. Mild electrical
current is sent from a machine to adhesive patches on the skin and delivered into
the muscle tissue below. The current will stop muscle spasms, providing pain
relief.
Ultrasound
therapy is designed to heal injured muscles quickly and is typically used
when a patient is in the acute care phase or is in a lot of pain. Rapid vibration
creates sound waves that travel into injured tissue and increase blood flow. Our
unit uses both e-stim and ultrasound in a combination treatment where the ultrasound
waves push the e-stim deeper into the tissue, breaking up inflammation, and reducing
pain.
Intersegmental
Traction, or the “rolling bed” works by creating passive motion that
causes mild stretching of the spinal joints and improves mobility. Intersegmental
traction mobilizes the spinal column, while at the same time gently stretches the
muscles and ligaments. It is sometimes used in conjunction with e-stim, and is our
patients’ favorite therapy.
Therapeutic
Exercises are prescribed by the doctor when necessary to help facilitate
healing and stabilization of a patient’s condition. This is not an intensive
exercise routine, but rather simple strengthening or stretching exercises designed
to help the patient heal faster. A chiropractic assistant (CA) or exercise
specialist will help the patient learn each exercise to make sure they are done
correctly.
K-Tape/Therapeutic
Taping is applied to help with healing or stabilization of many different
injuries. The tape lifts the skin to create a small space between the muscle and
skin. That space takes the pressure off of swelling or injured muscles, allowing for
improved muscle movement, and makes space for drainage and blood flow. This promotes
faster healing as well as proper muscle movement patterns. K-taping is performed by
the CA or exercise specialist.
Soft
tissue therapies (active release/myofascial release/muscle work/trigger
point) are performed by the doctor and help prevent injuries, improve range of
motion, promote flexibility, lower pain, and improve recovery time.
