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Chiropractors are experts trained in the neuromusculoskeletal system . They diagnose and treat disorders of the spine and other body joints by adjusting the spinal column or through other corrective manipulation. Chiropractors provide conservative management of neuromusculoskeletal disorders including, but not limited to, back, neck and head pain (over 90 percent of conditions treated). Chiropractors also use other methods of treatment such as heat, ultrasound, electrotherapy, and personalized exercise programs. Your chiropractor can also give you information and guidance on how you can stay healthy through proper nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes. The treatment a patient receives is related to the specific condition diagnosed by the chiropractor, and will vary from person to person depending on each person's unique situation. The following are treatment options available at Elgin Chiropractic Clinic.
Q: What is a chiropractic adjustment? A: A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which a specific force, in a precise direction, is applied to a joint that is fixated, 'locked up", or not moving properly. Q: How does chiropractic adjustments work? A: The chiropractic adjustment increases the range of motion of a joint thus helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. It also induces muscle relaxation and triggers a release of endorphins (natural pain killers). Q: What occurs during a chiropractic adjustment? A: The doctor will isolate a particular joint by helping the patient into a required position during the adjustment. An audible release (popping sound) may be heard. This noise is a release of gas which is formed by the production of a vacuum in the joint. Q: Why are chiropractic adjustments used? A: Chiropractic adjustments are used to improve spinal function, improve nervous system function, and improve health Patient Benefits
Q: What is a Massage? A: Massage is a term describing a variety of techniques using the hands, mechanical or electrical apparatus to stimulate or soothe soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes. Q: How does Massage work? A: Massage works by kneading and stroking muscles to relax them, and uses friction to stimulate soft tissues. This therapy can increase blood and lymph circulation while breaking up scar tissue between muscle fibers. Q: What does Massage feel like? A: Therapeutic massage and its effects vary with each individual. Clothing is usually removed from the area treated and the patient should be relaxed and comfortable. A lubricating oil or powder is used to reduce friction during the circular stroking and compression of soft tissue. Q: Why is Massage used? A: Massage is useful in many conditions in which body relaxation, the reduction of swelling, and muscle mobilization is desired. Massage can be helpful in overcoming the swelling and pooling of fluids-at the site of recent injury or trauma. Patient Benefits
Q: What is a Trigger Point? A: A Trigger Point is an area of uncontrolled muscle tightness causing tenderness which interferes with normal muscle function. This restricts normal range of motion, weakens the muscle, and may refer pain to other parts of the body. Q: How does Trigger Point Therapy work? A: Using the hands, the skin is gently pressed, to locate underlying tight bands or nodules of muscle fibers. Then using the hand, fingers, elbow, or small hand instrument, the muscle is compressed with sustained pressure to relax it. Q: What does Trigger Point Therapy feel like? A: To prepare the site, a cooling spray may be used. As pressure is applied, some patients experience temporary discomfort until the muscle relaxes. Others may feel referred pain to other pads of the body. Q: Why is Trigger Point Therapy used? A: Trigger Point Therapy is a highly effective way to reduce muscle spasms and relax hyperactive muscles. This helps restore normal range of motion and promote faster healing. Patient Benefits
Q: What is cryotherapy? A: 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. Q: How does Cryotherapy work? A: Surface cooling constricts blood vessels, numbs painful areas, and helps relax muscle spasms. Cold temperatures reduce nerve transmission of painful symptoms and provide temporary relief. Q: What does Cryotherapy feel like? A: Ice is most often used to manage acute injuries or recent eruptions of chronic conditions. Cooling affected tissues is effective in reducing and preventing posttraumatic swelling. Local cooling should be applied several times a day during the initial stages of an injury. Q: Why is Cryotherapy used? A: Cryotherapy is inexpensive, readily available, and an easy-way to reduce local swelling of inflamed tissues. Patient Benefits
Q: What is Superficial Heat? A: Hot packs, warm moist towels, heating pads, water bottles, and infrared lamps are often used to help raise the temperature of soft tissues directly below the surface of the skin. Q: How does Superficial Heat work? A: Heat applied to the surface of the skin enlarges blood vessels below the surface, relaxing tissues and can temporarily relieve painful symptoms. Increasing circulation and relaxing muscles is helpful before or after chiropractic adjustments, exercises, and other treatments. Q: When should Superficial Heat be used? A: Heat is usually recommended for the relaxation of tissues in spasm and temporary relief of the symptoms associated with chronic pain and muscle tightness. Q: Why is Superficial Heat used? A: Using heat to calm tissues suffering from long term spasm or irritation is an easy way to increase flexibility, range of motion, and promote increased circulation to speed the healing process. Patient Benefits
Q: What is Ultrasound therapy? A: Ultrasound therapy is a therapeutic treatment to aid in the relief of pain and the promotion of soft tissue healing. Q: How does Ultrasound Therapy work? A: High frequency sound waves are directed into the tissue in the vicinity of the injury. Some of these sound waves are reflected and give off energy in the form of heat. This increases metabolism and local blood flow to the area and thus promotes tissue healing. Q: What does Ultrasound Therapy feel like? A: Most patients find ultrasound therapy to be very beneficial. Ultrasound therapy usually cannot be felt, but some patients do feel a mild warmth. Q: Why is Ultrasound Therapy used? A: Ultrasound therapy is most often used to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and aid in soft tissue healing. Scar tissue, muscle spasms, neuromas, bursitis, tendonitis, and calcific deposits often respond well to this therapy. Patient Benefits
lnterferential Electro-Therapy Q: What is lnterferential Electro-Therapy? A: It is a therapeutic treatment to aid in the relief of pain and the promotion of soft tissue healing. Q: How does lnterferential Electro-Therapy work? A: 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 secrete endorphins and other natural pain killers to help relieve pain. Q: What does lnterferential Electro-Therapy feel like? A: Most patients find lnterferential Electro-Therapy to be extremely beneficial and describe the treatment as a faint 'pins and needles" sensation. Q: Why is lnterferential Electro-Therapy used? A: lnterferential Electro-Therapy is most often used for pain relief and to aid in reducing the swelling of soft tissue. Ligament sprains, muscle strains and spasms often respond to this treatment, helping to reduce atrophy and increase blood circulation. Patient Benefits
Q: What is Exercise Therapy? A: Exercise Therapy is a set of repetitive stretching or strengthening maneuvers designed to develop weakened or injured muscle groups that support the spine. Specific exercises help rehabilitate and stabilize the spine. Q: How does Exercise Therapy work? A: The individual bones of the spine are held in place by muscles and ligaments. Proper motion and position of these bones are crucial for proper nervous system function, correct posture, and good health. Exercises and repeated maneuvers help re-pattern and condition these connective tissues. Q: Why is Exercise Therapy necessary? A: By the time many patients seek professional help, fibrotic scar tissue has changed the elasticity and strength of supporting muscles. A program of carefully designed stretches and exercises helps restore better tone to these damaged tissues. Q: What can I expect from Exercise Therapy? A: Results take time. Exercise Therapy is an inexpensive and effective way Patient Benefits
The extent to which a person can benefit from care varies depending on their problem and how long it has existed. |
Copyright 2008, Elgin Chiropractic and Multi-disciplinary Clinic
#102-2255 Elgin Ave,
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Tel: (604) 464-BACK (2225)