Nutrition Tips
This weeks blog post is a quick fire round of nutrition facts. Be sure to share the information in this quick read with family and friends. Knowledge is power and we want our patients healthy.
This week we continue with our high-tech equipment at Chicago Chiropractic Center. Following on from the X-ray machine, MLS Laser machine and the ARP machine we will move into our Drop table, muscle stimulation with ultrasound heads, and our newest addition the diagnostic ultrasound machine.
Please be sure to read the previous blog post if you haven’t already done so. It’s a quick informative read and sets the tone for this week’s blog post. So, let’s jump right into the information on our drop table.
For those familiar with all thing’s chiropractic treatment related you will probably know about or maybe even have had experience on the ‘drop’ table. If not, you may be asking “Well, how is this different from the normal tables at a chiropractic clinic?”
This type of adjustment is also known as the Thompson technique, and the “drop” approach uses this special chiropractic table. This technique is a gentler chiropractic treatment that involves less powerful spinal maneuvering. A slower, low-velocity movement that allows the affected joint to stay within its passive range of motion.
The drop table has segments that can be lifted up and then dropped when a thrust is applied by the Doctor. This allows gravity to assist and work in combination with the manual adjustment, and all of this provides a lighter adjustment than that which comes with some other chiropractic techniques, like those that involve twisting positions. The table has various sections that can be raised between 1 to 2 inches relative to the rest of the patient’s body. After the section of the table is lifted, it is set in place and the stiffness of the table is altered based on the patient’s body weight. When the Doctor applies a gentle thrust to the area needing adjustment, the table releases / drops down, causing that part of the body to fall too. The drop table comes to a stop, but the patient’s body momentum continues for a short period. This momentum is equally as important to the drop table technique as the thrust and dropping of the table are, because it aids in alignment.
Both Dr. Jen and Dr. Gordon can do the Thompson technique with patients, and depending on your specific treatment plan you may have already had this or you may still experience it. Speak with both our doctors to learn more about this technique.
Next up is the crowd favorite- our muscle stimulation with the optional ultrasound head feature. The muscle stimulation can be used alone, as too can the ultrasound head. If you’ve ever visited a physical therapist to rehabilitate a soft tissue injury, it’s possible you’ve experienced a form of electrical muscle stimulation, or e-stim therapy (also referred to as EMS, electromyostimulation or neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and NMES). Another form of e-stim therapy called TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) works on nerves rather than muscles. EMS therapy creates steady electric impulses that stimulate muscle contractions--many of them over a sustained therapy session. This repetitive contracting and relaxing of the muscle have the following effects
Combining ultrasound with electrical stimulation is a treatment option to decrease acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, decrease muscle tone-spasm, increase local circulation, and increase-maintain joint range of motion. This approach combines the physiological benefits of electrical stimulation with Ultrasound and is often applied over motor or acupoints to optimize outcomes. Ultrasound treatments help to relieve pain, increase blood flow, reduce swelling and inflammation, and promote tissue healing.
Lastly, our newest addition the Diagnostic Ultrasound machine. Diagnostic ultrasound, also called sonography or diagnostic medical sonography, is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures like organs within the body. The images can provide valuable information for diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions. Dr. Keith Starwalt, our nurse practitioner, uses ultrasound to specifically diagnose a wide variety of problems in muscles, ligaments, nerves and tendons. This noninvasive imaging technique is totally safe for all patients, including pregnant women, children, and those with pacemakers and metal implants.
Some of the conditions easily diagnosed include:
Ultrasound has many significant advantages over X-rays, MRI and CT scans. These include:
That’s a wrap on the overview into our high-tech equipment. For more information please do ask questions when you see our doctors. We love interacting with our patients, we have a very open environment of sharing information. Transparent proven methods to our treatment plans and our team are focused on holistically treating each patient.
If you haven’t already, please call in to book your appointment or book online right here on our website. Check back next week for our latest blog post focusing on the Cox technique.
