What is Chiropractic and what is a Chiropractic Physician?
Chiropractic follows a natural method of healing, advocating a non-surgical, non-invasive and drug-less treatment of the entire body from the head to the feet. The doctor of chiropractic (DC) focuses on treatments that address the nerves, muscles, ligaments, bones and joints within the musculoskeletal system. A DC receives an additional four years of specialized education in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions after completing a college degree program. The DC is also trained in recognizing and evaluating conditions that are not related to the musculoskeletal system that may need a referral to another physician. There are also specialized certifications programs that allow for specialization in different areas of chiropractic; such as orthopedic, neurology, radiology, rehabilitation, pediatrics and sports
Our Services
Chiropractic Manipulation
Chiropractic adjustments are the primary treatment modality of all chiropractors. There are many different types of adjustments and techniques, but the essence of an adjustment is that it mobilizes the joints of the body. With gravity, stress of aging, trauma, and overuse, it’s common for the joints in the body to become out of alignment. The best success happens with regular adjustments, not just when you get hurt.
ART Active Release Technique
Active Release Technique (ART) is a soft tissue management system based on the principle that muscles, nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue develop adhesions within and between them after cumulative injuries. These adhesions limit motion and can create abnormal range or painful movement, acting like tiny dabs of glue sticking to muscle fibers and between connective tissues, preventing the normal sliding movements that normally occur between healthy tissue. Over time, it can cause the motion of muscles or joints to be altered, resulting in a wide variety of symptoms including chronic pain, weakness, reduced range of motion, numbness, and tingling.
ART is used to treat a variety of conditions including plantar fasciitis, headaches, sciatica, rotator cuff syndrome, and TMJ. It is also used to treat post-surgical scar tissue and peripheral nerve entrapments like carpal tunnel syndrome. Recovery from acute soft tissue injuries (auto accidents), and other injuries are also often successfully treated with ART.
Since adhesions can contribute to so many different chronic pain disorders, ART may be prescribed for:
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Recovery from acute soft tissue injuries (auto accidents, etc.)
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Sciatica
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Shoulder pain
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Back and neck pain
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
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Plantar fasciitis
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Tennis elbow, runner's knee and other sports-related repetitive strain injuries
Best outcomes are often achieved with multiple sessions, but relief can often be felt after just one treatment. While effective on its’ own, ART is often combined with other treatments to contribute to optimal joint function. Massage is an excellent complement to fully address the soft tissue component. Laser therapy delivers specific energy to the affected area to assist the body in the healing process. Rehabilitative exercises improve strength and flexibility to complete recovery and prevent recurrences.
TESTIMONIAL
“I had sciatica that was persistent and painful. After weeks of suffering, I decided to try ART with Dr. Adkins. After just one treatment, I was able to sit without pain, which had been impossible before. Just a few sessions led to complete resolution.”
• Kirsten A.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissues, tendons and ligaments) to enhance health and well-being. There are many types of massage therapy methods. We offer both types of fundamental massage, which include:
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Rehabilitative Massage - also known as deep tissue, medical, therapeutic or clinical massage
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Relaxation Massage - also known as Swedish massage, designed for relaxation and stress relief
Our massage therapy is often an augmented approach to your chiropractic care for injury or soft tissue rehabilitation.
Concussion Evaluation
The doctor will evaluate your signs and symptoms, review your medical history, and conduct a neurological examination. Signs and symptoms of a concussion may not appear until hours or days after the injury. A concussion evaluation includes a neurological evaluation, cognitive testing and if deemed necessary, imaging tests.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is a method of using a stainless steel tool to aid in the healing of soft tissue injuries. This technique enables the treatment of scar tissue and fascial restrictions within the muscles, tendons and ligaments by way of restoring range of motion, eliminating pain and restoring normal function.
Corrective / Preventative Exercises
Corrective exercises and spine sparing strategies are exercises, specific movements or stretches specifically chosen with the goal to correct a specific dysfunction. Through a thorough examination and assessment the doctor will look for weaknesses, inflexibilities, instabilities, hyper-mobilities, hypo-mobilities, imbalances, asymmetries and poor movement patterns. Upon the doctors determination of necessity, a tailored exercise or exercise program will be assigned to fit the patients specific needs.
Wellness Consulting
Health and wellness counseling provides the patient with the tools and motivation necessary to accomplish their emotional and physical health goals. Some of the ways assistance may be rendered is through the tools and information necessary to shed weight, eat better, reduce the amount of stress in life and/or quit smoking.
Ergonomic Training
Musculoskeletal disorders affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, bending, lifting heavy items and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders can be prevented. Ergonomics, fitting a job to a person, helps lessen muscle fatigue, increase productivity and reduces the number and severity of work related injuries.
Physiotherapies
Physiotherapy can be defined as a treatment method that focuses on the science of movement and helps people to restore, maintain and maximize their physical strength, function, motion and overall well-being by addressing the underlying physical issues.
Some of the therapies provided at our clinic:
• Interferential Current (IFC) nerve stimulation: IFC stimulation is very useful in the treatment of circulatory and muscular disorders, stiffness of joints, edema and inflammation. Interferential current penetrates deeper than almost any other electro-therapies. The notable results achieved by IFC are reducing muscle spasms by effectively blocking transmission along the nerves and stimulating endorphins, causing a natural analgesic effect.
• Ultrasound: A handheld transducer produces sound waves to high pitched to be detected by the human ear, and those waves heat tendons, muscles and other tissues to improve blood flow, decrease muscle hypertonicity and hasten the healing process.
• Thermotherapy: Application of heat packs have many local therapeutic effects. These positive effects include; stimulation of metabolism, promotes edema, which increases nutrients, muscular relaxation, decreases joints stiffness and sensory nerve endings are sedated.
• Cryotherapy: Application of cold packs can cause vasoconstriction or narrowing of blood vessels, which in effect reduces swelling, decreases muscle spasms and decreases pain.
Sports Physicals/DOT Physicals
Sports: A sports physical also known as a pre-participation physical exam (PPE) helps determine whether or not it is safe for you to participate in a certain sport. The exam consists of a medical history intake and a physical exam, which can help you find out about and deal with health problems that might interfere with your participation in a sport. Your doctor may even have some good training tips and be able to give you some ideas for avoiding injuries.
DOT: A DOT physical follows strict guidelines mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), ensuring that CDL drivers and other “safety-sensitive” employees (meaning those whose job can impact their own safety as well as the safety of the public) are in good health to work safely. A DOT physical exam is valid for up to 24 months.
Additional information: All drivers need to bring a complete list of their medications, including the doses and their doctors’ names and addresses. To assure the exam runs as smoothly as possible, drivers with certain medical issues need to bring appropriate documentation, for all pre-existing issues such as; vision or hearing problems, diabetes, heart-related issues etc.
