Chiropractic Therapies

By John R. Greensfelder, DC

Along with spinal adjustment, other therapies to treat conditions are commonly used. Therapeutic stretches following an injury are important ways to prevent scar tissue from forming. Even after the injury has healed, maintaining a regular stretching program helps keep tissues flexible, increases mobility, and protects you from new injuries.

Specific strengthening exercises will be recommended for patients with back, neck and extremity problems. These exercises can decrease pain, prevent muscle deterioration, promote joint health, increase strength, stability and range of motion, and protect against new or recurring injuries.

Ultrasound is a form of soft tissue therapy created by sound waves. When applied to soft tissues and joints, it helps reduce swelling, increase blood flow, and decrease pain, stiffness, and spasms.

Traction may be used to help separate the vertebrae resulting in disc decompression and to reduce nerve root pressure.

Muscle stimulation therapy is beneficial for pain relief or to reduce inflammation. It can best treat muscle spasms by causing muscles to contract in order to increase blood flow. Some forms of electrical stimulation have combination effects. Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a small, battery-powered, portable muscle stimulation machine that can be used at home to help control pain using variable intensities of electric current. This treatment is recommended to help patients get through periods of severe pain. TENS units are typically not recommended for chronic pain.

Cold laser is a therapy that reduces inflammation on a much deeper cellular level. The cold laser works well with chronic pain.

Spinal decompression is a modality that deals with relieving the pressure on the nerve that is aggravated by an inflamed disc. It helps with any nerve or disc problems. Massage may be recommended to help improve circulation and reduce pain.