Phase 1 – Acute intensive care phase
Goals
Repair nerve damage, soft tissue damage, and restore pain-free range of motion. Length of time generally is 1 to 3 months 12 to 24 visits in office.
Initial exam is performed to identify injured and malfunctioning tissues.
- This includes:
- Posture assessment
- Palpation of soft tissues
- Range of motion of joints
- End feel of joints
- Fixations/stiffness
- Neuro/Ortho tests
- Muscle testing for activation
- X-ray analysis of elements wear and tear
- Muscle response testing of joints and soft tissues
- Check for supplementation with ART
Treatment Recommendations
- Spinal and extremity chiropractic adjustments (foundational treatment to repair nerve damage and restore pain free range of motion. Adjustments improve proprioception (healthy joint signaling), decreases muscle spasms and inflammation). Chiropractic adjustments reduce stress and increase your ability to adapt to stress.(Helps Keep you Healthy!)
- Cervical traction: reduce joint fixations, improves lordosis, decompress the discs, reduce nerve root irritation.
- Vibration therapy: reduces pain and restores function (proprioception) of joints and muscles. Improves bone density.
- Spinal range of motion exercises on wobble disk: The foundation of Spinal Health. It is analogous to brushing your teeth for dental health.
- Pulsed electromagnetic frequency (PEMF) (reduces pain and inflammation. It also accelerates the healing of nerves , muscles and connective tissues by reestablishing normal membrane potentials.)
- Erchonia PL-5000 Cold Laser Therapy: reduces pain/inflammation, accelerates healing. Increase strength and R.O.M. Heals and regenerates damaged nerves
- Advanced muscle integration technology (AMIT). Muscle activation technique that restores pain free range of motion and stability to injured joints and muscles. This technique will enhance athletic performance and prevent injuries.
- Percussion/Rapid Release/PTLMS: Various types of soft tissue techniques to reduce spasm, congestion improve circulation and breakdown scar tissue in order to regain healthy function of joints nerves and muscles.
- Spinal distraction: improves spinal range of motion and improves health of spinal discs
- KT taping: specific taping of injured muscles and joints to improve proprioception, stability, circulation and decrease pain
- Mud packing: relieves inflammation and restores healthy bio-energy field
- Anti-inflammatory, joint and muscle support supplements
- CBP exercise band: promotes healthy cervical range of motion
- Custom Orthotics to restore proper arch support.
Home care
- Ice packs, gel or Ziploc bag of ice cubes and water sealed in a bag call them to reduce pain and inflammation
- Bio- freeze/herbal Rub: topical lotions to reduce pain and improve circulation and relax tight muscles. can use 3 to 4 times per day
- Auto Lumbar Support in car to reduce stress while sitting, it can also be used as a lumbar fulcrum wedge at night
- Cervical pillow:supports cervical spine to provide a restful night’s sleep. Go over sleeping postures.
- Wobble disk at work or home to improve posture and improve healthy joint function
- Hydration and general dietary recommendations
- Comprehensive inflammation reduction program: necessary if you have chronic pain multiple joint problems, or a variety of other health challenges. The program includes assessments, bloodwork on inflammation markers, seven day diet, and metabolic profile, ART assessment for food sensitivities, fungus, leaky gut, and targeted digestive and anti-inflammatory support. Dietary recommendations are a critical part of the program.
- Towel/Fulcrum blocks for spinal molding: repositions proper disc alignment. Reduces stress and tension in disc and prepares spine for sleep
- Cervical head weighting:neck rehabilitation unit to relieve disc strain,, muscle spasm, and arthritis. Helps reduce forward head posture and restores cervical lordosis
- Foam roller: irons out trigger points and soft tissue tightness. Improves circulation and range of motion. Helps prevent injuries.
- Beginners and intermediate progressive exercise program to improve stability and muscle balance.
- Posture re-education program of upper crossed syndrome include stretching and strengthening exercises to restore postural balance
- Core exercise program emphasizing postural reeducation of lower crossed syndrome
Three phases of spinal rehab program
-
- PHASE-1 Acute intensive care phase: you are treated in the office 3 to 5 times per week until your condition is stabilized and your pain is greatly reduced. Generally 12 to 30 visits over 1 to 3 months. Re-exam at 12 visits: Purpose is to assess progress and make adjustments to treatment plan as needed.
- PHASE-2 Rehabilitation or corrective phase: with the pain greatly reducing we can move into more rehab activities. The phase is very important in the redeveloping of spinal joints proprioception and to improve nervous system function and prevent future setbacks generally 3 to 6 months 18 to 24 visits.
- PHASE-3 Preventative/proactive wellness phase: maybe the most important phase as your health potential and ability to adapt to stress improves through regular weekly to biweekly adjustments.