| |
 |
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
Treatments & Techniques Offered By FBNCC
Our care programs fall into three very definitive sections:
Relief
The first phase of care is referred to as Relief or Acute Care. This is designed to eliminate or reduce the majority of the discomfort and stabilize the condition in the shortest amount of time. Relief of aches, pains and other obvious symptoms may prompt you to begin chiropractic care. During this phase of care, visits will be frequent. Repeated visits will be required to reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
Rehabilitation
The objective of the second phase of your treatment program known as Rehabilitation is to strengthen the muscles, improve spinal function and provide more complete or optimum healing of tissues and organ systems. Visits occur at |
|
|
|
|
reducing frequency and care is supplemented by exercises, nutritional advice and modification of your daily and work habits. Education becomes a major focus.
Maintenance/Prevention
The third and final phase of your treatment program, is designed to maintain your improved health and spinal function, and prevent the original condition from returning once spinal correction has been attained. Regular attention catches small problems before they become serious. Prevention saves time and money by helping you stay well. Wellness-minded adults choose this type of care for themselves and their children.
Relief Care is the intensive portion of the treatment program designed to get the patient out of pain as soon as possible, thus reducing the major complaint and stabilizing the condition. The pain or discomfort felt by the patient - the symptom - is not the cause of the problem, but rather the effect generated by the problem. The disease and its symptoms are two separate entities. A symptom such as pain can fade away or disappear without the cause ever being corrected.
The symptom of pain usually arises later in the history of a disease condition. For example, the pain of arthritis is experienced long after the degenerative changes begin. Another example is scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine. A patient may develop scoliosis at puberty but not experience pain until they are in their twenties or later. Relief care is focussed on relieving the pain the patient is experiencing. To do this, your Chiropractor will initiate a treatment plan designed primarily to get you out of pain as soon as possible but also to correct the underlying condition. Since a condition may be rather far advanced when first visiting the Chiropractor, intensive measures may be in order.
Rehabilitation Care - To understand how important this phase is, think of how an orthodontist fixes misaligned teeth. Using braces, the orthodontist moves the misaligned teeth slowly but surely back into their normal, correct position. This process takes a considerable amount of time with periodic visits for tightening and readjusting the braces. The same is true of your spine. In most cases it took a long time for your spine to get the way it is and the condition will not be relieved overnight even with the best of care. Each visit to your chiropractor for an adjustment will be like a visit to the orthodontist for tightening and readjusting braces. The chiropractor works to slowly correct your spine the same way an orthodontist slowly straightens crooked teeth. |
|
|
| | |
|
|
How long does rehabilitation last? Several factors will determine this:
how long the patient has had the condition
the severity of the problem
the type of problem
how committed the patient is to getting better
how well the patient keeps up with the treatment program.
During Rehabilitation, patients may be seen up to several times each week for a period ranging from months to even years. And not everyone can expect complete correction. In some instances a person's problem has become so entrenched complete correction is simply not possible. Just as no cook can unboil a hardboiled egg, no chiropractor can undo irreversible damage to the spine. In these cases, the Preventive phase of care becomes Maintenance Care.
Maintenance Care is needed to stabilize the progress that has been made after correcting or improving your condition. Chiropractors of course are concerned with relieving your pain and reaching the maximum correction possible. We are equally concerned with maintaining the improvement |
|
|
|
|
that has been made. Many of the conditions treated by chiropractors develop over many years so it is unrealistic to think these problems could be eliminated in just a few short weeks. Treating chronic, degenerative conditions takes time. The majority of your treatment plan, in terms of time, will consist of maintenance visits.
To better illustrate the concept of Maintenance Care, again consider the example of orthodontics. The braces bring about the realignment just like the correction achieved in the spine through chiropractic care. In the case of dental braces, once the correction has been made, the orthodontist fits the patient with a retainer. Without the retainer the teeth will have a tendency to go back to their previous misaligned position. The same is true with the spine. Without Maintenance Care, the improvement you experience in your condition may be lost if the spine reverts to its original condition.
How long does maintenance care last? The frequency and duration of visits during this phase will differ from patient to patient depending on the nature of the condition and on how much improvement was made during the Relief Care and Rehabilitation Care phases. It is not uncommon for Maintenance Care to last anywhere from two years to life. Your chiropractor is highly trained in observing and documenting the progress that has been made in your condition. He will rely upon this training and experience when evaluating your case and making recommendations on the last portion of your treatment. |
|
|
| | |
|
Adjustments
"Adjustment" refers to the manipulative techniques a Doctor of Chiropractic uses to change the function of the joints of the body. Correcting dysfunction will have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and help bring you to optimum health. In technical jargon, it is the act of moving the joints of the spine beyond the individual's usual physiological range of motion using a fast, low amplitude thrust. This generates a release within the joint which may cause a sound as the movement takes place.
In order to use the different manipulative and adjustive techniques that might be necessary, your Chiropractor must have developed skill and manual dexterity, not to mention a considerable and extensive education as well as involvement in full time practice. Chiropractors have other manual treatment options including: mobilization, massage, muscle balancing, reflex techniques, passive motion therapies, manual and motorized traction and others. Whatever technique your chiropractor uses, the objective is always the same: to normalize the motion of the spine thereby improving spinal dynamics and restoring normal nerve function. |
|
|
|
| | | |
|
Because your chiropractor works both directly and indirectly with the body's nervous system, chiropractic care is recognized for its ability to aid in improving your general health. Restoring normal nerve function to all spinal levels allows the entire body to function better. Chiropractors recognize that they do not heal patients at all but merely remove interference thereby allowing the body to heal itself. A fundamental principle in Chiropractic philosophy is:
vis medicatrix naturae -- the body has the innate ability to heal itself provided it is free of interference and has a properly functioning nervous system.
Diversified Technique
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 failure in each section of the spine, as it relates to specific subluxation. The focus is on restoration to normal biomechanical function, and correction of subluxation. In addition, Diversified methods have been developed to adjust extremity joints, allowing for beneficial applications in treating sports injuries and other injuries. Diversified adjusting of the spine uses specific lines of drives for all manual thrusts, allowing for specificity in correcting mechanical distortions of the spine. X-rays and case histories are used in analysis and diagnosis. No instruments are used in the adjusting procedure. Motion palpatation and full spine, hands-on techniques are used to deliver a deeper thrust, which makes an osseous (popping) sound as the adjustment is given.
Flexion-Distraction
Dr. Cox explains Flexion-Distraction (also known as Cox Technic), as a marriage of chiropractic principles with the osteopathic principles 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, as well as participated in experimental, research; lectured around the world, and written well-received articles, chapters for textbooks, and textbooks. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Activator Methods
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.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a term that describes the application of ice, cold towels, ice massage and compresses to reduce the temperature of tissues directly on or below the surface of the skin. Surface cooling constricts the blood vessels, numbs painful areas, and helps relax muscle spasms. Cold temperatures reduce nerve transmission of painful symptoms and provide temporary relief.
Ice is most often used to manage acute injuries or recent eruptions of chronic conditions. Cooling affected tissues is effective in reducing and preventing post-traumatic swelling. Local cooling should be applied several times a day during the initial stages of an injury. Cryotherapy is inexpensive, readily available and an easy way to reduce local swelling of inflamed tissues. |
|
|
|
Electro-Therapy
Interferential electro-therapy is a therapeutic treatment to aid in the relief of pain and the promotion of soft tissue healing. Tiny amounts of electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the vicinity of the injury. Where these waves intersect below the surface of the skin, a low-frequency stimulation is created. This prompts the body to secret endorphins and other natural pain killers to help relieve pain.
Most patients find electro-therapy to be extremely beneficial and describe the treatment as a faint "pins and needles" sensation. Electro-therapy is most often used for pain relief and to aid in reducing the swelling of soft tissues. Ligament sprains, muscle strains and spasms often respond to this treatment, helping to reduce atrophy and increase blood circulation.
Intersegmental Traction
|
|
|
|
Intersegmental traction is a way of inducing passive motion into the spine for the purpose of stretching spinal joints, increasing mobility. The patient lies face up on a bench table which has roller-type cams beneath its surface. These rollers can slowly travel the length of the spine, stretching spinal joints.
Most patients find this form of treatment to be relaxing and very helpful. The gentle rolling action is restful, exercising the spine without effort. Since discs have a poor blood supply, they get nutrients from the circulation of fluids surrounding spinal joints. Fixations prevent this natural circulation and can cause disc thinning and degeneration. Intersegmental traction helps increase and restore necessary elasticity and motion to the spine. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a natural method of treating and preventing injury and disease. It aims to help alleviate pain, to restore normal movement patterns, and to return the body to a state of equilibrium without chemical intervention. A Physiotherapist helps the patient maximize functional movement and ability by using a variety of hands-on treatments, an exercise recommendation, and education.
Physiotherapy has widespread applications. It can help an individual gain strength and flexibility, reduce pain, and promote greater independence. It can also help virtually any condition that affects the muscles or nerves. One of the primary applications is in rehabilitation from stroke or injury. Some of the therapies applied include the use of heat, cold, electric stimulation, ultrasound, traction and massage. |
|
|
|
Holistic Care
Holistic medicine is a system of health care which fosters a cooperative relationship between practitioner and patient -- leading to optimal physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health. It emphasizes the need to consider the whole person: including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. It encompasses various modalities of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery if no safe alternative exists.
Holistic medicine focuses on education as well as personal responsibility for achieving balance and well being. Also called Alternative Medicine, the name Holistic Care is often used by the public and some healthcare practitioners to refer to techniques that are not known or accepted by the majority of conventional medical practitioners. Such techniques could include non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques such as Chiropractic. Cf. Herbal therapy, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Reiki, and many others. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
