Chiropractic Adjustment

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

The definition:  A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which board certified chiropractor uses their hands, or a small instrument, to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint.

The objective:  To correct structural alignment by manipulating the spine and or joints, thus improving your body’s physical function.

The concept:  Acknowledgement that your body’s structure—nerves, bones, joints and muscles—and capacity for healthy function are closely intertwined.  By restoring your body’s structure through chiropractic adjustment, you restore its function—relieving pain and promoting healing.

The benefits:   Speak for themselves.  Click here for what some of Dr. Christie’s happy, healthy patients have to say.

The bottom line:  If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, headaches or just plain don’t feel your best—chiropractic can help.  It is a branch of medicine that focuses on setting your body to rights so that it can heal itself—something that it is designed to do if given half a chance.  To get a Chiropractic Adjustment contact Dr. Christie.

Graston Technique

 What is it and how does it work?

The Graston Technique was developed to effectively detect and treat internal scar tissue.  When soft tissue is damaged, it will heal in a haphazard pattern known as scarring. Because scar tissue is dense and fibrous, it limits the bodies natural range of motion, often creates pain and prevents the patient from functioning as they did before an injury.  The Graston Technique utilizes stainless steel instruments, externally, to identify where scar tissue exists and then assist in breaking it up so that it can be absorbed by the body.

How is it done?  What are the results?

The Graston instruments are smooth, specialized, stainless-steel, and come in all different shapes and sizes.  Dr. Christie runs them over the injured area to detect where a “catch” (fibrous scar tissue) can be felt and then uses them to “comb through” the dense tissue to break it up.  It is common for the patient to experience minor discomfort during the process and some bruising afterwards, but it is normal, and part of the healing process.  Patients that have had the Graston Technique performed, have positive outcomes in 75-90% of all conditions treated.  Whether the condition is new, old, acute, chronic or pre- or post surgical, the Technique has been clinically proven to achieve quicker and better outcomes.

[Infographic] What is Soft Tissue?
 

GrastonTechnique.comResearch

Would I be a good candidate for the Graston Technique?

Dr. Christie, a certified practitioner of the Graston Technique, can assess your particular issue and determine if the treatment would be a good fit for you.  Some of the issues, of patients who benefit from Graston Technique treatments, are:

Cervical sprain/strain (neck pain)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (wrist pain)
Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Rotator Cuff Tendinosis (shoulder pain)
Achilles Tendinosis (ankle pain)
Scar Tissue
Shin Splints
Lumbar sprain/strain (back pain)
Plantar Fasciitis (foot pain)
Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
Patellofemoral Disorders (knee pain)
Fibromyalgia
Trigger Finger

Dr. Christie favors this approach since it allows the body to direct in its own recovery.  This technique is quickly becoming protocol at outpatient facilities at hospitals and universities; and is employed in injury recovery protocol for professional athletes by trainers of the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball.

If you are looking for treatment with Graston Technique contact Dr. Christie.

Hot Packs

Managing your pain through the use of deeply therapeutic hot packs

Hot packs are applied to the body for pain relief.  Heat increases blood flow to the area and delivers nutrients and oxygen to assist healing.  Other therapeutic effects of hot packs include decreasing joint stiffness and relieving muscle spasms, swelling and inflammation. Therapeutic hot packs are moisture driven, not electrical, so patients get a deeper relief. If you are looking for hot pack treatment contact Dr. Christie.

Electric Muscle Stimulation

Rehabilitation with electric muscle stimulation for musculoskeletal injuries

This treatment – is the elicitation of muscle contraction using Electrical impulses which are delivered through electrodes, placed on the skin, close to muscles that are to be activated, it causes them to contract. The impulses mimic muscle contraction, causing the muscles to contract and then fatigue. In medicine, electric muscle stimulation (EMS) is used for rehabilitation purposes, after musculoskeletal injuries, such as damage to joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. If you are looking for Electric Muscle Stimulation contact Dr. Christie.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound therapy utilizes sound waves to affect deep tissue.

Ultrasound is often used in patient rehabilitation. It uses sound waves that compress and contract tissue at varying frequencies, increasing circulation to the area it is applied.  Improved blood flow assist in speeding the healing process along.  In therapy, a gel is applied to the skin, and the ultrasound wand is moved over the affected area in a circular motion.   A few conditions that make good candidates for ultrasound treatments are:  Plantar fasciitis, Ligament Sprain, Muscle Strain and Joint inflammation. If you are looking for ultrasound therapy contact Dr. Christie.