DIAGNOSTICS
The following diagnostic services are available to you and your entire family!
Some 4000-5000 years ago, ancient Chinese healers discovered channels of energy, called meridians, which correspond to all the organs and tissues of the body. Electrodermal screening measures your body's ability to conduct this meridian energy and is able to determine ways to achieve healthy energy balance. First, the energy balance of your body is assessed. Next, your practioner will do stress testing to determine what factors are stressing or weakening your energy system. Finally a natural remedy will be determined to help support your stressed or weakened meridians. Some signs your body may be overloads with toxin are digestive problems, fatigue, chronic pain, frequent illness, sinus problems, nausea and mental exhaustion.
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COMPUTERIZED MUSCLE TESTING
A new evaluation tool to determine range of motion, muscle strength and imbalances. Computerized to increase accuracy and reliability!
X-RAY
Many articles have been written warning against the over-utilization of X-rays. These are helpful for alerting the general public, and making them aware of the potential hazards of X-ray. However, information should not be misconstrued, and should not interfere with your desire to utilize comprehensive diagnostic procedures to deal with your helath problems. The truth is that all X-ray procedures should be used with caution and good judgement. Many facilities today employ special filtration devices to protect and significantly reduce radiation exposure to the patient. Winona Chiropractic Center is acutely aware of the concern regarding X-ray, and will determine if the benefits of X-ray outweigh the potential harm of such an examination.
The spinal X-rays, when studied by your chiropractor, take on a new meaning. They are being viewed for more than pathology (disease) or fracture, they are being viewed for normal and abnormal structural alignment. The static X-ray analysis, coupled with the dynamic spinal motion examination, results in a more complete understanding of spinal bio-mechanics and the resultant spinal stress areas. When your X-rays are evaluated from this aspect, your structural system (the spine) may have weaknesses which lead to derangements (subluxations) of the spine. The X-ray examination provides your doctor with a "blue print" of your spinal column. This "blue print" helps to determine specific areas of spinal weaknesses so that the appropriate type of adjustment (manipulation) can be applied in the management of your problem.
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TRIGGER POINT THERAPY
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.
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.
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 parts of the body.
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:
* Reduces Chronic Muscle Spasms
* Avoid scar tissue formation
* Improves muscle tone
* Promotes better circulation
* Increases range of motion
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Electro-Muscle Stimulation is a special form of electrical current that is administered at the site of soft tissue injury, especially muscles, for the blocking of pain.
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.
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.
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
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Superficial Heat consists of hot packs, warm moist towels, heating pads, water bottles and infrared lamps are used to help raise the temperature of soft tissues directly below the surface of the skin.
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.
Heat is usually recommended for the relaxation of tissues in spasm and temporary relief of the symptoms associated with chronic pain and muscle tightness.
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
* Helps increase circulation
* Relaxes muscle tension
* Reduces joint stiffness
* Prepares tissues for rehabilitation
* Widely available and inexpensive
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INTERSEGMENTAL TRACTION
Intersegmental Traction is a way of inducing passive motion into the spine for the purpose of stretching spinal joints, increasing mobility.
The patient lies face up on a bench table which has roller-type cams beneath its surface. These rollers can slowly travel the length of the spine, stretching spinal joints.
Most patients find this form of treatment to be relaxing and very helpful. The gentle rolling action is restful, exercising the spine without effort.
Since discs have a poor blood supply, they get nutrients from the circulation of fluids surrounding spinal joints. Fixations prevent this natural circulation and can cause disc thinning and degeneration. Intersegmental traction helps increase and restore necessary elasticity and motion to the spine.
Patient Benefits
* Comfortable and relaxing
* Increased mobility
* Improves circulation of spinal fluids.
Most patents enjoy the relaxing motion and the increased mobility gained from Intersegmental Traction.
CRYOTHERAPY
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.
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.
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.
Cryotherapy is inexpensive, readily available and an easy way to reduce local swelling of inflamed tissues.
Patient Benefits
* Helps reduce swelling and inflammation
* Numbs affected area to reduce pain
* Reduces muscle spasms
* Inexpensive and can be self-applied
Consult your doctor before the self-administration of any therapy.
ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound is a therapeutic treatment using high-frequency sound waves administered in the region of soft tissue injuries.
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.
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.
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.
EXERCISE THERAPY
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.
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.
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.
Results take time. Exercise Therapy is an inexpensive and effective way to speed your recovery, stabilize your spine, and help prevent a relapse.
Patient Benefits
* Increases range of motion
* Retrains damaged muscle
* Strengthens spinal structure
* Speeds rehabilitation
* Helps adjustments hold
Walking provides and excellent foundation for specific strengthening exercises.
DIATHERMY
Diathermy is a form of shortwave electro-magnetic energy used to raise the temperature of certain soft tissues below the surface of the skin.
Unlike a heat lamp, the Diathermy energy field passes through the softer tissues near the surface of the body, turning into heat when reaching the more dense tissues below the surface. This increases blood circulation and can help speed the healing process.
It should feel pleasantly warm, but not hot. If treatment makes an area uncomfortable warm or you feel pressure, tell the therapist or doctor immediately.
Diathermy is an effective form of adjunctive therapy. It relaxes muscles and connective tissue. It can help increase range of motion, reduce muscle spasms and cramping and make movement and stretching less painful.
Patient Benefits
* Can help speed the healing process
* Dilates blood vessels for improved circulation
* Stimulates white blood cell production
* Increases metabolism and waste removal
* Helps prevent adhesions and scar tissue
The healing warmth penetrates clothing and skin, reaching tissues below the surface.