Rehabilitation Options Without some form of rehabilitation, recovery from an injury or a long-standing spinal problem can take longer to achieve. Overlooking the importance of improved range of motion and muscle strengthening can result in a relaps, with your original health problem returning again and again. Chiropractic rehabilitation involves the restoration of proper joint function of the spine or extremities, and the strengthening of supporting muscles and soft tissues. This will usually involve specific spinal adjustments, combined with a program or stretching, resistance training, and exercises to improve muscle tone. Some patients receive a set of simple exercises or "maneuvers" they can do at home. Other types of injuries will require the use of specialized equipment to isolate and strengthen specific areas of the spine. Ask your chiropractic doctor for ways you can speed the healing process and strengthen the supporting soft tissues of your spine through appropriate rehabilitation. Massage Therapy Experience a form of healing and relaxation that has been around for centuries. Experience the art of massage. What massage can do for you... Everyone can benefit from a professional massage. Massage therapy can: provide anything from soothing relaxation to deeper therapy for specific physical problems. relieve your stress and anxiety. increase the nourishing blood supply to your tissues. improve your energy and alertness. aid your recovery from pulled muscles or sprained ligaments. ease many of the uncomfortable stresses of child bearing, including edema, backaches, and exhaustion. relieve certain repetitive motion injuries related to on-the-job activities. greatly reduce your pain if you suffer from such problems as temporal mandibular joint dysfuntion (TMJ) or carpal tunnel syndrome. compensate, at least in part, for lack of exercise and muscular contraction if you're a person who, because of age, injury, or illness, is forced to remain inactive. A healthy response... Once your massage is underway, a whole range of beneficial reactions is set in motion. The therapy can: hasten the elimination of waste and toxic debris that are stored in your muscles. increase the interchange of substances between the blood and tissue cells. heighten the oxygenation of the tissues. stimulate the relaxation response within your nervous system. All of these responses can: help to strengthen your immune system. improve your posture. increase your joint flexibility and range of motion. lower your blood pressure. Electro-Muscle Stimulation Q: What is Electro-Muscle Stimulation? A: It is a special form of electrical current that is administered at the site of soft tissue injury, especially muscles, for the blocking of pain. Q: How does Electro-Muscle Stimulation work? A: Small amounts of electrical current are induced into the tissues for the purpose of reducing swelling. This widely used technique safely strengthens muscles and helps reduce painful symptoms. Q: What does Electro-Muscle Stimulation feel like? A: Patients generally feel a slight tingling sensation at first. Since your body may become accustomed to the initial setting, the intensity may be raised during the course of your 10-20 minute treatment, for maximum healing effect. Q: Why is Electro-Muscle Stimulation used? A: Electro-Muscle Stimulation has been used as an effective form of pain relief. It is recommended in cases in which pain is accompanied by swelling and inflammation. Patient Benefits: Reduces pain sensation Helps decrease swelling Promotes general muscle tone Speeds the healing process Many painful symptoms can be relieved with the application of Electro-Muscle Stimulation. Ultrasound Q: What is Ultrasound? A: It is a therapeutic treatment using high frequency sound waves administered in the region of soft tissue injuries. Q: How does Ultrasound work? A: Sound vibrations, as fast as a million times per second, penetrate the tissues deep in the body, creating a heat response. These vibrations and heat help break down and disperse unhealthy calcium and other hard tissue accumulations. Q: What does Ultrasound feel like? A: The gel used to conduct the sound waves is at room temperature and may momentarily feel cool to the skin when it is initially applied. Most patients feel nothing, or a pleasant and relaxing sensation below the surface of the skin. Q: Why is Ultrasound used? A: Ultrasound treatment can usually be administered directly to the area of complaint, penetrating deep into the body. The rise in temperature, increases blood flow, relaxes muscle spasms, massages damaged tissues, and speeds the healing process. Patient Benefits: Highly effective in treating calcium deposition Stimulates healing without irritation Speeds metabolism and improves blood flow Reduces nerve root irritation Enhances the body's natural healing ability Ultrasound can often help shoulders, elbows, and sports-related injuries. References • Bove G, Nilsson N. Spinal manipulation in the treatment of episodic tension-type headache, The Journal of the American Medical Association, Nov. 11, 1998; vol. 280, no. 18, pp1576-79. • Nelson CF, Bronfort G, Evans R. et al. The efficacy of spinal manipulation, amitriptyline and the combination of both therapies for prophylaxis of migraine headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Oct. 1998; vol. 21, no. 8, pp511-19. • Zwart J. Neck Mobility in different headache disorders. Headache, Jan. 1997; vol. 37, pp6-11. • Nilsson N, Christiansen HW, Hartvigsen J. The effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of cervicogenic headache, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, June 1997;vol. 20, no. 5, pp326-30. • Martelletti P, LaTour D, Giacovazzo M. Spectrum of pathophysiological disorders in cervicogenic headache and its therapeutic indications, Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System, Winter 1995; vol. 3, no. 4, pp167-8 • Nelson CF. The Tension Headache, Migraine Headache Continuum: A Hypothesis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, March/April 1994; vol. 17, no. 3, pp156-66.