COMMON TREATABLE CONDITIONS
ACL/MCL
issues
Shoulder
injuries
Muscle
strains
Tennis and
golfers elbow
Shin
splints
Back and
neck pain
Headaches
TMJ
syndrome
Knee
pain
Sprains
Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome
Achilles
tendonitits
Plantar
fasciitis
Women’s
Health
Autoimmune
Conditions
CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Chiropractors focus on treating problems of the spine, joints, muscles and nerves. They excel at treating patient problems such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, hip pain and pain in the joints of the arms and legs. Our approach aims to correct movement patterns and address the underlying cause of injury, while also providing symptom relief. We use a highly effective method to address injury and movement dysfunctions. Treatments include a combination of manipulation or mobilization to restore range of motion to the joints of the body, with soft tissue treatment techniques and individualized rehabilitation.
Chiropractors utilize a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. They have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling to help you recover faster.
SPECIALIZED CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENTS
SOFT TISSUE MODALITY
Soft tissue modailty is a soft tissue (massage) technique that treats muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and fascia. Soft tissue modality involves treating abnormal tissues with precise tension and specific patient movements. Basically, it breaks down muscle adhesions to relieve pain and restore function
IASTM
IASTM(instrument assisted soft tissue modality) is a manual therapy that uses stainless steel instruments to treat soft tissue conditions. Designed to help identify restricted areas, the technique aids in breaking up scar tissue, reducing fascial restrictions and stretching connective tissue to create an optimal healing environment.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that involves creating a series of low energy acoustic wave pulsations that are directly applied to an injury through a person’s skin via a gel medium. This treatment increases blood flow, breaks down scar tissue and tissue adhesions, boosts cellular repair and microscopic tissue regeneration.
SHOCKWAVE
Shockwave therapy is an acoustic pressure wave transmitted to the body tissue and, consequently, to the painful area. A shockwave is an intense, but very short, energy wave travelling faster than the speed of sound. Because it is so powerful, most patients who undergo shockwave treatment recover faster than those treated by other methods.
Shockwave therapy accelerates the healing process in the body by stimulating the metabolism and enhancing blood circulation to regenerate damaged tissue. Strong energy pulses are applied to the affected area for short periods of time, creating micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst. The force created by these bubbles stimulates cells in the body that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing. In many instances, shockwave therapy is most effective in cases where the human body has not been able to heal itself on its own.
Shockwave therapy sessions are usually 20 minutes long and provide successful relief and restore mobility painlessly. Permanent relief typically begins about 72 hours following treatment.
Most patients require three-to-six sessions. There is no downtime for recovery. There are no shockwave therapy side effects. Treatments are non-invasive and promote accelerated recovery of injured soft tissue, bone, and joint pain.”
PERFORMANCE
Custom Orthotic
A custom orthotic is a device designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position. They look like insoles, but are biomechanical medical appliances that are custom made to correct your specific foot imbalance.
Custom orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes – they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment. The plastic body of the custom orthotic helps to re-align the foot by redirecting and reducing certain motion that takes place during the gait cycle.
Custom orthotics fit into your shoes as comfortably as an insole – and they have the advantage of having been made from precise imprints of your feet.
More information is available at https://www.tog.com/PatientSite/Home.aspx
Do you think Orthotics may be right for you?
Inquire with Dr. Andrew Blonski today.
MASSAGE
Massage Therapy is a traditional use of soft tissue manipulations used in preventative and remedial treatment of bodily stress, both physical and psychological. Using external pressure and anatomical knowledge, massage therapy is able to help in treatments of pain, mobility loss, circulatory issues, rehabilitation, chronic pain relief, and many other ailments related to the physical body. It also helps to passively relax the nervous system, to allow for a more tranquil mental state.
CUPPING & GUASHA
Healthy tissue vs Unhealthy tissue
Ideally muscles and associated connective tissue are designed to contract and relax. They should feel strong and yet supple so that this pumping action can aid in blood returning through the venous system, but also support the constant flow of fluid between cells. This healthy drainage system from the capillaries to the lymphatic system is supposed to be in constant flow, but can stagnant and become unhealthy when muscle are chronically “tight” thus creating a barrier to flow.
What is Guasha?
Light repetitious strokes with a variety of edged tools on well lubricated skin to help relieve pain and tension as well as break up adhesions in the tissue. People often feel like it is itching a deep “scratch” they cant get and love the sense of relief this type of treatment leaves them with. During this process “petechiae” (tiny broken blood vessels) can form on or near chronically tense muscles or trigger points. This is a visual representation of what is going on below the skin: lack of nutrients, oxygen or the accumulation of metabolic wastes often cased by dysfunctional muscle patterns like poor posture. Petechiae does not appear with healthy tissue unless extreme force is used so the marks left behind can give you an indication of muscular tissue that is in need of further release and treatments.
What is Cupping?
Suction cups are placed on the skin and left for several or moved around the affected area. The patient feels a pleasant pulling sensation and then a subsequent release of tension. Cupping feels similar to massage and people love the feeling of the cups releasing deep-seated tension. . The cups often leave purple or red marks that can indicate areas of poor circulation and blood stagnation. These marks are not traditional bruises since there is no tissue damage. They mark generally fade within 1-7 days. Areas that take longer to fade indicate less blood flow to those tissues. Cupping is used primarily for muscular tightness and pain, circulatory dysfunction, and treatment of respiratory symptoms.
Benefits of Guasha and Cupping:
1. Breaking fibrous adhesions in tissue. Tissues that are tight and holding tension develop adhesions. Guasha and cupping help to promote blood flow and break up adhesions in tissue that has experienced stress to the fibres. With successive treatments this allows the area to return to healthy supple tissue. 2. Enhancing blood flow. While bringing in fresh new blood into an area, both of these techniques also flush metabolic wastes like lactic acid out of the area and promote healing. The petechiae present after Guasha, and the marks left after cupping represents the release of the blood into subcutaneous layers which then allows the tissue to become healthier and more supple.
REIKI
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique that promotes relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety through gentle touch. Reiki practitioners use their hands to help balance the flow of energy in the body, thus improve overall health and well-being. Having shown great benefits on physical and emotional levels, Reiki is now used all over the world, including hospitals and hospices, as a complimentary treatment.
LASER THERAPY
Laser therapy is used to treat musculoskeletal injuries, chronic and degenerative conditions, soft tissue injuries and to heal wounds.
The light source is placed in contact with the skin allowing the photon energy to penetrate tissue, where it interacts with various intracellular biomolecules resulting in the restoration of normal cell function and enhancement of the body’s healing processes.
FAQ
CHIROPRACTIC FAQ
What to expect from a chiropractic adjustment
An adjustment is a highly-skilled and precise movement usually applied by a hand to a vertebrae of the spine or other joints of the body. Adjustments correct the joint to restore proper movement and improve function. When a joint is adjusted, an air bubble may escape causing a popping noise, similar to when you crack your knuckles. Depending on the nature of the problem, your chiropractor may also utilize joint mobilizations, active release techniques, graston techniques and therapeutic exercises to relieve your pain and get you moving again.
What are the lengths of treatment?
While treatment lengths vary somewhat from person to person and from condition to condition, there are some things to consider: 1. Newer injuries, if treated appropriately and immediately, tend to improve after fewer visits. Many of these first time injuries can be effectively managed in as little as 6 to 7 visits. 2. Conditions that have been present for greater than 3 months and recurring conditions are generally more stubborn and difficult to treat. Resolution may require 12 visits or more.
Is it painful during treatment?
The treatments themselves are generally not painful. In fact, most patients look forward to their treatments as many experience instantaneous relief. Individuals who already have moderate to severe pain associated with the injury or issue may experience some minor discomfort during treatment; however, care is always gentle, safe and non-invasive.
Is chiropractic covered by health insurance?
Chiropractic care is covered by most health care plans. At Pulse Health, we direct bill most major insurance companies making you’re out of pocket expense very low and sometimes zero.
SHOCKWAVE
What does shockwave treat?
It can treat a number of conditions including Plantar Fasciitis/Calcaneal Spurs, shoulder pain with or without calcifications, IT Band syndrome, Golfers/Tennis Elbow, muscle trigger points (deep and superficial), Tendonitis, chronic back and neck pain and Achilles Tendonitis.
Treatments required?
Research has shown that 3-6 treatments are necessary to maximize response and are typically done at weekly intervals. Treatments usually only take 10-15 minutes and patient tenderness during treatment is normal; however can be controlled by treatment settings. Relief can be felt immediately following treatment, but there may be some tenderness felt up to 48 hours after treatment. This is generally due to the inflammatory response.
Is shockwave covered by insurance?
At Pulse Health, shockwave therapy is covered by most extended health benefit plans as a chiropractor visit, because you will be treated by a chiropractor. We will also direct bill to your extended health insurance provider.
PULSE-HEALTH ACUPUNCTURE FAQ
How does acupuncture work?
View our section on Acupuncture here.
Are the needles painful?
It is important to know that acupuncture needles are 1/10 the size of a syringe needle. Acupuncture needling is completely different from any other experience you have had with needles in the past. Acupuncture needles are often not felt during insertion but can cause warmth, tingling, pressure or a small pinch that quickly dissipates. Sometimes bruising or discomfort result from needling, however significant side effects are extremely rare.
