Physical Therapy
Reasons to Choose Our Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Expertise
If you’ve been to a chiropractor before and prefer to be adjusted in a particular way, let Dr. Lee Echelbarger know. We want you to relax, enjoy and fully benefit from your chiropractic care.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
The adhesive electrodes are applied to specific muscle groups that may be affected by pain and inflammation.
Also known as EMS, Electrical Muscle Stimulation is a form of electro therapy that uses a special type of electrical current to stimulate specific muscles. With strategically-placed electrode pads, low levels of electrical current excite the targeted muscles producing rhythmic contractions.
There are many types of electrical stimulation. Some are used to promote pain relief, reduce inflammation, avoid muscle atrophy and lessen muscle spasm:
Low Volt – For reducing muscle spasm and pain relief.
High Volt Galvanic – Muscle spasm reduction.
Russian Stimulation – Muscle strengthening.
Interferential – Pain and inflammation reduction.
Iontophoresis – A pain and swelling reduction technique.
Micro Current – Increase cellular metabolism to enhance healing.
We choose the approach that best matches your particular clinical presentation.
What Does EMS Feel Like?
At first, the electrical impulses can produce a slight tingling sensation. The impulses mimic the signals normally coming from your nervous system, causing the muscles to contract. As your body accommodates this muscle excitation, the intensity of your treatment may be slightly increased for maximum effect during the course of your 10- to 20-minute treatment.
Spinal Decompression
Gently drawing apart each joint like an accordion allows the spine to reset, and the pumping action enhances soft tissue nutrition and rehabilitation.
Each of us is constantly in a battle—with gravity! A frequent casualty is the soft disc material that separates each spinal bone. Pressure from our weight, trauma from an accident and other causes can increase the pressure on a weakened disc. In extreme cases, the soft pulpy center of the disc can escape. That can be quite painful.
We use the latest technology to help relieve the effects of back pain due to herniated and degenerated discs. Since discs are constantly under weight-bearing pressure, they can be slow to heal. By gently “stretching” your spine, we help relieve pressure and enhance healing. This is called disc decompression.
First, we’ll have you lie down on our specially-equipped table. Then, ever so slowly, we’ll stretch your spine. And then relax it. Stretch. And relax. Our patients tell us this tractioning process is quite pleasant, even relaxing. Because they don’t feel the need to “guard” their spine, each sequence helps the damaged disc receive nourishment, expel cellular waste and enjoy reduced pressure. Then, healing can begin.
While not a cure-all, our decompression table is highly effective, especially when combined with chiropractic care. Our experience shows that decompression can be helpful in supporting cases prone to frequent relapses. Do you know someone we could help overcome the effects of gravity?
Cox Flexion-Distraction
This is a gentle, non-force adjusting approach. The thing that most patients notice first is our special table. The movements of this table help traction the spine, opening up compressed spinal discs and reducing pressure on facet joints of the spine.
Gently drawing apart each joint like an accordion allows the spine to reset, and the pumping action enhances soft tissue nutrition and rehabilitation.
Named after its developer, Dr. James Cox, this highly-effective technique combines osteopathic principles with the specific, highly-directed approach used in chiropractic. The combination offers a conservative resolution of low back and leg pain that often averts the need for surgery.
The Cox Flexion-Distraction technique we use gives us the ability to place spinal joints in a more normal motion and position without pain or aggravating your condition.
By lying on the table, neutralizing the effects of gravity, we’re able to gently separate spinal joints and move them through a more normal range of motion. Patients find this surprisingly pleasant. We find it powerfully effective.
Myofascial Release
Think of your fascia as a body suit that connects all your tissues together.
Myofascial Release is a hands-on, whole-body approach for the evaluation and treatment of pain and the restoration of motion. This involves muscles and the connective tissue (fascia) that holds your entire body together.
You Body’s Body Suit
Think of fascia is a densely woven fabric, like a sweater, that connects all your organs, muscles and tissues. Even your heart, blood vessels, lungs and spinal cord. Fascia “holds you together.” Since it covers you from head to toe, think of it as a body suit that you live in.
When you’re healthy, the fascia is relaxed. Like our clothing, it has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. But that changes when we experience physical trauma, scarring or inflammation. Then, the fascia loses its pliability. It can become tight, restricted and a source of tension, reduced motion and even producing pain.
What You Can Expect
First, we’ll conduct a thorough evaluation, looking at your posture, your ability to turn, bend and move. We’ll identify specific movements that produce increased pain or discomfort.
Then, I’ll use my hands to locate the tender areas. Gently stretching the fascia and involved muscles causes them to release. This is not a massage! You’ll have some homework: drinking more water. By drinking more than your usual water intake, you’ll help flush out toxins that have built up and reduce soreness.
Your New Normal
Progress is rarely a straight line. Expect some ups and downs as your body learns it can abandon its defensive posture. As your body heals, your brain will eventually recognize your new posture and muscle tone as normal. With time, expect better movement, more strength, flexibility, improved posture and greater vitality.
Active Release Technique®
Every session is a combination of an examination and an adjustment.
The Examination
I’ll use my hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments. If scar tissue is present, I’ll be able to feel it because it will be preventing soft tissues from moving properly. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength and even pain. If nerve tissue is trapped, there may be tingling, numbness and weakness as well.
Runners and athletes of all types often suffer from injuries that respond to our approach. When problems are detected, I choose from over 500 specific protocols. I’ll apply precise amounts of pressure while you move or bend in specific ways that aid in the correction of your condition.
These manual maneuvers are normally applied at the site of your injury. Excellent results have been reported with the neuromuscular system:
Muscles
Tendons
Ligaments
Fascia
This work will often resolve a number of common health complaints:
Headaches
Back pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Shin splints
Shoulder pain
Sciatica
Plantar fasciitis
Knee problems
Tennis elbow
Most of these conditions share one important common denominator: overused muscles. We use this technique because it’s a proven, state-of-the-art soft tissue system that helps many muscle-related conditions resolved quickly and permanently.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound therapy is a treatment modality used to treat pain and inflammatory conditions, and to promote tissue healing. While ultrasound therapy is not effective for all chronic pain conditions, it may help reduce your pain if you have any of the following:
- Osteoarthritis
- Bursitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Sprains and strains
- Scar tissue pain
- Plantar Fasciitis
Types of Ultrasound Therapy
There are two main types of ultrasound therapy: thermal and mechanical. Both use sound waves generated through a transducer head (which looks a bit like a microphone) to penetrate soft tissues. The difference between the two types of ultrasound therapy is the rate at which the sound waves penetrate the tissues.
- Thermal ultrasound therapy . Thermal ultrasound therapy uses a more continuous transmission of sound waves. The sound waves cause microscopic vibrations in the deep tissue molecules, increasing heat and friction. The warming effect encourages healing in the soft tissues by increasing the metabolism at the level of the tissue cells.
- Mechanical ultrasound therapy . Mechanical ultrasound therapy uses pulses of sound waves to penetrate tissues. While this still has a minor warming effect on the tissues, it also causes expansion and contraction in the tiny gas bubbles of the soft tissues. This helps to decrease the inflammatory response, reducing tissue swelling and thus decreasing pain.
The type of ultrasound therapy you receive depends on your condition. If you have myofascial pain, or had a muscle strain or sprain that has not healed, your therapist will likely use thermal ultrasound therapy. If your pain is caused by scar tissue or swelling, such as with carpal tunnel syndrome, you may benefit more from mechanical ultrasound therapy.