ART (Active Release Technique)
Active Release Technique (ART) is a soft tissue therapy designed to rid injured areas of scar tissue. Here at Burnley Spine & Sport Chiropractic we incorporate ART in our treatment of musculoskeletal disorders to remedy injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, rotator cuff injuries, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, tennis elbow, headaches, and back pain. All of theses conditions tend to have one thing in common: the result of an overused muscle.
We are all prone to over-using muscles while at work and in our daily lives, no matter the occupation. Overuse Syndrome is common in our society. As a result of our work duties, athletic events and daily lives, we are all at risk of developing this syndrome due to repetitive stresses on the same structures. These stresses may not be painful at first, but the body learns to compensate for long term use resulting in the soft tissue adapting and changing over time.
Chiropractic Care
We specialize in correcting your body’s misalignments. Our goal is to ensure that your spine and the rest of your body are working harmoniously. To do so, we will help you develop a plan that will require light stretching, some exercise, chiropractic care, and a healthy diet.
Chiropractic Adjustments
A chiropractic adjustment can make you feel so much better. Your body does not want to be out of alignment, and that’s exactly what an adjustment can help address. It is also known as chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation, or spinal manipulation. The adjustment refers to the manipulation of the vertebrae that have abnormal movements and are not functioning properly. A chiropractic adjustment will assist in fixing these issues.
The goal of chiropractic treatment is to reduce the subluxation, increase the range of motion, reduce nerve irritability, and improve mobility. Our compassionate and qualified chiropractor will work with you to relieve this pain and get you back to being pain free every single day.
Although many people visit their chiropractor and have an adjustment when something feels out of alignment, a regular visit will help you avoid any pain in the future and will keep your body feeling great all day long.
If you are having one of those days when you are not in the best mood, an adjustment may actually help. Your body will feel much better, which will naturally improve your mood.
Class 4 Laser Therapy
There is a lot of discussion about different classes of therapy lasers. What’s the difference? Understand these key differences before you invest in your own laser therapy equipment.
- What do the classifications actually mean?
Class IIIb: IIIb lasers are hazardous to the eye when viewed directly. For visible and infrared devices emission power is limited to 0.5 W. Protective eyewear, key switch and safety interlock are required safety features.
Class IV: Class IV includes all lasers that emit power in excess of IIIB limitations. Eye protection is needed to limit both direct and diffuse reflected exposure. Key switch and safety interlock are also required safety features. The majority of scientific, industrial, military, and medical lasers fall into this category. - Power: Class IIIb lasers are limited to powers of 0.5 watts and under, Class IV therapy lasers typically enable the user to select powers of 0.5 W – 15 W. Increased power enables the clinician to treat a larger area in a shorter period of time – ultimately resulting in a therapeutic dose of joules to the target tissue.
- Treatment Strategies: Due to their power difference treatment strategies are different for Class IIIb lasers vs. Class IV therapy lasers. Class IIIb lasers often treat a group of small points and are held in one place for the duration of the point treatment. When treating with a Class IV therapy laser the clinician treats a much larger area, i.e. 300 cm2 for a lower back; the treatment head is moved throughout the duration of the treatment to ensure a therapeutic energy is being delivered evenly to the entire area. Class IV laser therapy can also be administered through a series of contact and non-contact handpiece attachments.
- Dosing Strategies: Class IIIb lasers deliver a smaller dose of joules to a smaller area of tissue. Typically treatments are confined to discrete points. A potential weakness of this technique is the variability of clinical results due to the exact placement of the treatment points. The foundation of Class IV laser therapy is based on the delivery of a therapeutic dose of joules to a large area of target tissue, reducing variability in outcomes. For example on a lower back a Class IV therapy laser would treat at 10 joules/ cm2, in a 10 minute treatment session of 10 watts in continuous wave 6,000 joules of energy would be delivered to the target tissue. It would take a 0.5 watt Class IIIb laser 200 minutes to deliver the same dose.
- Wavelength: Different therapeutic lasers often come equipped with different treatment wavelengths ranging from 700 nm to 980 nm. All wavelengths in this therapeutic window target the same photo-active chromophores. The main difference between wavelengths is the absorption of the light by tissue components such as water and melanin. A device with a adjustable wavelengths allows you to adjust for the individual absorption characteristics of your patient.
Dry Needling
Dry needling aims to address neuromuscular conditions, relieve pain, and improve range of motion. During your scheduled appointment, we will insert a small needle into specified areas of your body depending on your unique and individual needs.
Dry needling follows evidence based guidelines, recommended point locations, and dosages for treatment of specific conditions. Our goal is to improve pain control and reduce muscle tension through this technique.
Graston Technique
The Graston Technique® (GT) is an innovative, evidence-based form of therapy that utilizes an instrument to assist in soft tissue mobilization. This enables clinicians to effectively and efficiently break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. GT utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. The use of GT instruments along with therapeutic exercises helps restore pain-free movement and function. The Graston Technique® was originally developed by athletes to treat soft tissue injuries. It has grown in popularity as an alternative approach in treating acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is a non-invasive mechanical procedure performed within our office to help alleviate back pain. It involves gently stretching the spine to take pressure off the spinal discs (the cushions that separate the vertebrae in the spine). By relieving this pressure, bulging discs can retract back into place which takes pressure off the nerves in the spine. By decompressing the spine, it permits water, oxygen and other fluids to work their way back into the discs allowing them to heal naturally. Spinal decompression is an excellent option for anyone with chronic back pain who wants to get back to living a pain-free life as quickly as possible.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound therapy is a chiropractic treatment used to help reduce muscle pain and increase range of motion. By using sound waves, we are able to stimulate deep inside the tissue. This minimizes stiffness, swelling, and pain while also promoting circulation, and pain-free movement.
Active Rehabilitation
Active Rehabilitation is the use of bodily movements and/or postures to restore desirable changes in diseased or injured tissues. Active Rehabilitation includes movement strategies that minimize or eliminate compensation. Active Rehabilitation should precede more integrated exercises, because they can cue the patient’s motor system to respond in a more desirable way and assist in removing or improving biomechanical constraints. Use of specific exercises are used to correct deficiencies caused by trauma, inactivity, muscular imbalances, poor flexibility or biomechanical inadequacies.
This comprehensive and consistent approach works to retrain muscles, restore joint function and prevent recurring injuries as well as doctor visits. When Active Rehabilitation becomes necessary, it helps maintain proper posture, improves lifting mechanics while helping determine the “Do’s and Don’ts” related to certain jobs or daily activities. The effectiveness of the treatment protocol depends on the patient’s commitment to their therapeutic exercises and doctor’s recommendations.
request an appointment