It’s a common question asked…
..but can result in many different answers. Whether an individual wants to reduce pain or increase performance, people look for results and want a plan on how to achieve them. Any therapist above can help you get results in the short term, therefore there is no “right” answer with who you initially choose for care. What is different is choosing a therapist with knowledge of turning those short term results into long term fixes, as my aim is to not only help you in the present, but make a long lasting difference for the future.
With formal training as a Chiropractor, my knowledge is one of an Musculoskeletal (MSK) expert, understanding the symptoms involved in pain and dysfunction for a variety of conditions involving anatomical and neurological structures. My understanding of your symptoms links it to a diagnosis. Linking your symptoms (what you feel) to a diagnosis (what is wrong) is a key step, as it helps me to be treatment specific, keep you well informed, and establish a timeline for you to fully recover.
Once a diagnosis is formed, my knowledge and expertise is then used to make a difference in you. Whether I utilize my therapy approaches or collaborate further with other health practitioners, know that I will always do the utmost to give you the care you need.
Take a look below to learn more about my therapy approaches.
Manual Therapy
A comprehensive form of treatment, which I define modulation of the musculoskeletal (MSK) system through hands on care. Modulation can be at the level of the tissue, joint, or nervous system after an acute incident or a long standing chronic issue.
In a nutshell, it helps to re-establish range of motion, increase function, and decrease pain by working on any of the three levels mentioned previously. Afterwards, evidence based rehab and strength training principles are prescribed to mitigate the potential for an issue to return.
Some common names for manual therapy procedures I provide are Myofascial Release Therapy (MRT), trigger point release, PNF stretching, mobilizations, high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) manipulation (adjustments), functional rehabilitation, etc.
This type of care can manage numerous conditions, including but not limited too
Mechanical Low Back, Mid Back, and Neck Pain
Disc Related Low Back and Neck Pain (Disc Bulge, Disc Herniation’s, Sciatica Related Pain)
Trigger Point Pain and Referral
Wellness Care
Postural Strain (Desk Work, Repetitive Tasks)
Muscle Strains (ex. Hamstring Pulls)
Ligament Sprains (ex. Rolled Ankle)
Headaches (Migraine, Cervicogenic, Tension Type)
Shoulder Injuries (Separations, Dislocations, Labral and Rotator Cuff Tears)
Whiplash Associated Disorders
Upper and Lower Extremity Nerve Entrapment’s (Pinched Nerves)
Medial or Lateral Epicondylitis (Aka. Golfer’s Elbow/Tennis Elbow)
Running Injuries (Illiotibial Band Syndrome (ITB), Patellofemoral Pain, Shin Splints, Jumpers Knee, Achilles Tendonitis, Plantar Fascitis)
Knee Sprains and Tears (MCL, ACL, LCL, PCL, Meniscus)
Bursitis
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Temporomandibular (TMJ) Myofasical Pain
Chronic Stress
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of treatment which dates back to ancient China. Predominantly, acupuncture is practiced in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) style, where treatment of meridian channels in the body has an effect at decreasing “excess” or increasing “deficiency” in the bodies natural elements (Fire, water, earth, wood, metal). Altering these imbalances in the natural elements then helps the body to combat different ailments and conditions.
Medical acupuncture is a new form of acupuncture practice. It has more of an anatomical approach to care and is predominantly used as a modality, similar to ultrasound or TENS, in conjunction with manual therapy techniques to help treat MSK conditions. While similar in comparison to a traditional acupuncture treatment, insertion of needles surrounding an affected tissue or nerve pathway are thought to envoke a physiological change either locally or systemically in the body. Common changes felt locally are increases in blood flow and decreases in pain surrounding the insertions sites, while common systemic (whole body) changes can alter a persons well being and mood at insertions sites that affect the central nervous system (CNS).
The addition of an electrical current through these points (Electroacupuncture) is also common place within medical acupuncture treatments, where the current helps to give an additive effect to the local and systemic changes mentioned previously.
Medical acupuncture is also known to provide a performance aspect to care for athletes in a recovery or injured state, especially when paired with an electrical current.
Specifically, acupuncture treatments have evidenced based approaches to treat conditions including but not limited to
Muscle Activation (Recovery, Post Injury Rehab)
Increased Proprioception (Body Awareness)
Headaches (Migraine, Cervicogenic, Tension Type)
Medial or Lateral Epicondylitis (Aka. Golfer’s Elbow/Tennis Elbow)
Chronic Stress
Acute or Chronic Pain Conditions
Myofascial Trigger Points and Referral
Muscle Strains
Increased Collagen Production (Scar Reduction, Ligament Sprains)
Additional Services
Custom Orthotics
Custom made orthotics are generally used to correct biomechanical issues in gait (walking). It can also aid in treating a variety of issues in the foot, lower extremity and the lower back. Common conditions that utilize the use of orthotics include medial knee osteoarthritis, pes planus (flat feet), mechanical low back pain, and functional leg length discrepancies. Click to learn more from my supplier, The Orthotic Group.
Sports Performance and Coverage
Having a passion for sport related care, I’ve always surrounded myself with work across all sport professions. With experience as a trainer working first hand with athletes in the GTHL, I’ve emphasized the value of dynamic warm ups, proper hydration, and recovery principles as the core responsibilities for my team. If needed, I intend to provide the same care for your sports team or organization, providing sport specific training and expertise from my educational background for injury management and prevention.
On-Site Presentations and Networking
While doing outreaches in public school boards, hospital networks, and local community events, I find that talking face to face about issues can answer questions better then a fancy website at times ;). Therefore, I’m available for collaborations in regards to presentations or working relationships for your specific workplace issues and needs.
Private Care
While I encourage any patient to check out my clinic locations, I have limited availability to treat at a patients home or private location. Private care is dependent on the patients needs, conditions, and day to day logistics.