The focus on spinal adjustment is what makes us unique in our approach to treating patients with spinal complaints. The chiropractic adjustment, however, may not be the only procedure we may employ in managing a patient’s care.
Natural agents such as heat, cold, water, massage, light, and exercise are some of the physiological therapeutic measures that are often utilized by Lyonspine. When controlled, these and other elements exert a beneficial influence on body functions and can help several common problems.
Common Forms of Chiropractic Therapies at Lyonspine
Some physiological therapeutic measures that are often utilized in Lyonspine include:
Heat and Cold
Your Doctor of Chiropractic may alternate between heat and ice therapy to help patients. Ice packs may be used to numb the back for a 10 to 15-minute period and/or with a heat to restore blood flow to the area and promote faster healing.
Exercise
Dr. Sean Lyons has created his Bulletproof Back Stabilization Program, focusing on stretching and strengthening the back.
Massage
Dr. Lyons may massage the soft tissues to improve circulation, reduce swelling and inflammation associated with the back pain, and encourage quicker healing.
Dietary management
Our office will provide patients with tips on how an improved diet may help restore function, and we may recommend dietary supplements after spinal manipulation. See lyonspine.com/products to see our recommended supplements.
Ultrasound
With ultrasound, sound waves create deep heat therapy that is applied to the soft tissues and joints. Basically, micro-massaging the soft tissues and joints, ultrasound therapy can not only help reduce pain, stiffness, and spasms, but increase blood flow and accelerate the healing process.
Diathermy
A form of shortwave, electro-magnetic therapy that passes the softer tissues and provides heat to denser tissues, diathermy relaxes the muscles and connective tissues, decreases muscle spasms, and accelerates the healing process by increasing circulation. In our office, utilizing diathermy, the treated area will typically feel pleasantly warm
Electrical muscle stimulation
Electrodes are placed on the skin that send light electrical pulses to different areas of the body with the purpose of reducing inflammation, curtailing muscle spasms and relieving pain.
Interferential Current
IFC units feature electrodes that are placed over the painful area with the user having the power to control the intensity of current. It is believed that IFC helps block the transmission of pain signals along the nerves and release the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins.
Traction
Our traction may include the patient lying face up as a system of rollers move about the back, all the while stretching and massaging the muscles in the back. Lyonspine may use other traction devices that stretch the spine, decompress the discs and reduce the pressure on the nerve roots (a procedure known as non-surgical spinal decompression.
Infrared radiation
In our office, a thermal camera may be used to image colored hues indicating the blood flow in the back. For example, red hues would indicate higher IR radiation and more blood flow in the back. Infrared radiation may be used to differentiate normal temperature changes from abnormal differences and to assess underlying conditions that are causing neurospinal dysfunction.
Cold laser therapy
With cold laser therapy, particles of energy are carried in a laser and absorbed by the cell membrane’s photo receptors after penetrating the skin surface. The cells and tissues then convert this light energy into biochemical energy, fueling a biological process that is believed to decrease swelling, reduce back pain and inflammation, and improve circulation.
Ergonomics
Duringyour chiropractic care, Drs. Lyons may recommend some modification such as a work station change that is applied at home and/or at work.
Pelvic stabilization
When leg-length deficiency, flat feet and/or subtalar instability are present, Drs. Lyons may place a small heel lift in the shoe on the short leg side and/or prescribe corrective arch supports to help stabilize the pelvis.
Patient education
Drs. Lyons may advise a variety of lifestyle modifications, including diet and nutritional programs, self-care and coping strategies, to all of our patients.