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Chiropractic Rehabilitation
Chiropractic Rehabilitation is a conservative approach to the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, including back and neck pain. Focusing on active care protocols, the goal of Chiropractic Rehabilitation is to restore proper function to the muscles, joints, and nervous system in order to reduce your pain and keep it from coming back. The key to successful conservative care is in designing an appropriate treatment and exercise program specific to the individual's problems. At Nelson Chiropractic Center we specialize in improving muscular endurance, coordination, balance, strength and flexibility through the use of therapeutic exercise with simple techniques requiring minimal expense in equipment or space. Typical programs include spinal stabilization exercises consisting of floor exercise, Swiss gym ball activities, and rocker/wobble board training.
Active Release Technique
Active Release Technique® (ART) is a hands-on soft-tissue treatment system that "cleans out" the muscle adhesions and scar tissue that contribute to muscle weakness and pain. As ART® practitioners, we use our hands to apply pressure and smooth out the muscles as you control the movement of your muscles through the range of motion. This allows us to treat the muscle as it's working, resulting in smoother healthier tissue relatively quickly. There are four basic processes that cause muscle damage and scar-tissue adhesions:
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- Injuries - tearing of muscle fibers from a strain, or a crushing of soft tissue from an impact.
- Micro-trauma - accumulation of small muscle tears over time, usually from low stress, repetitive activities.
- Hypoxia - decreased oxygen supply to a muscle promotes scar tissue formation due to over activity of the cells that produce scar tissue (fibroblasts). The body thinks it's injured, even if it isn't. When muscle is chronically contracted, like the shoulder muscles when sitting at a desk for long hours, the contraction keeps blood out of the muscle and the fibroblasts produce scar tissue in muscle that has not been injured otherwise.
- Friction - altered gliding of muscles against other muscles, nerves, joints, etc. can cause friction injuries in the muscle which produce scar tissue and adhesion.
The types of conditions successfully treated with ART® is very diverse. Some of the more common conditions are:
Carpal tunnel and other peripheral nerve entrapments
Spinal pain and dysfunction
Tendonitis and other soft tissue inflammatory disorders of the
hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot
Sciatica, TMJ, recurrent sprains and strains
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Eventually, the accumulation of scar tissue adhesions will result in noticeable symptoms, such as pain and weakness. However, long before symptoms are felt, athletic performance is affected. This is especially true for endurance athletes who tend to log an excessive amount of training miles.
Only a credentialed ART® provider can ascertain whether ART® might prove beneficial for your condition. To become proficient in ART®, it takes approximately two years of working with patients once a provider has taken the courses and passed the required examinations. Providers must attend annual update seminars to maintain their credentialed status and keep current of any new protocols and research. To verify a provider's credentials, ask to see their certificate from Dr. Leahy. Please see www.activerelease.com for more information.
Graston Technique (GT)
The Graston Technique is an exciting soft tissue technique that utilizes stainless steel instruments to break up scar tissue and adhesions. The design of the instruments allows the doctor to find deeper adhesions in muscles with less pain to the patient. In addition, the instruments are similar to a stethoscope, in that just as a stethoscope amplifies what the human ear can hear, the Graston instruments amplify what the human hands can feel. For more information please see www.grastontechnique.com.
Low Level Laser Therapy
Low Level Laser Therapy is an incredible form of light therapy that is non-invasive with no side effects that is therapeutically better than ultrasound. It is used to reduce pain and inflammation, stimulate rapid cell growth, promote faster wound healing, increase metabolic activity, decrease fibrous tissue formation (scar tissue), increase vascular activity, and increase nerve cell regeneration.
Kinesio Tape
Kinesio Tape is an elastic tape that provides support while allowing function. In addition, it is used to relieve pain, relax tight muscles, stimulate weak muscles, decrease inflammation and swelling, as well as to reduce bruising. It is the tape of choice of many athletes, and in addition to being seen in the 2008 Olympics, it can be found on many athletes of all levels. Please see www.nelsonpilates.com/kt.asp
Pilates Rehabilitation
Pilates Rehabilitation is an exciting, unique way to regain strength and flexibility after an injury! Focusing on postural control and neutral spinal position and mobility, Pilates Rehabilitation is an amazing adjunct to your treatment program. Feel more balanced and functionally fit to help improve your performance in sports or daily activities and reduce your chance of re-injury in the future. Discover the healing benefits of Pilates based rehabilitation techniques utilizing Pilates evolved choreography on Nelson Pilates complete line of Balanced Body Pilates Equipment, including the Trapeze Table, Ladder Barrel, Clinical Reformer, Multi-chair and Pilates Mat. Dr. Kerri Nelson is a Polestar certified practitioner of Pilates Rehabilitation and specializes in the treatment of soft tissue injuries including back and neck pain, rotator cuff dysfunction, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more.
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