At the Comprehensive Spine Center, we strive to provide patients with a unique and comfortable approach to their care and rehabilitation. By integrating many different active and passive therapy techniques, we give the body a greater chance of recovery and maximize improvement.
LASER THERAPY
 | Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is used in a variety of situations. Research shows it has beneficial effects when dealing with inflammation, swelling, post-surgical healing, and acute or chronic pain along the back. The science behind the laser therapy is that it penetrates warmth deep into muscles in the form of light energy at distinct wavelengths. This energy increases metabolism in muscles at a cellular level, accelerating the natural healing process and increasing circulation. During a typical eight-minute treatment session, the patient relaxes in a chair or on a table while the practitioner glides the hand-held LiteCure laser over the area of injury. Most patients report a comforting warming sensation in the session with improved range of motion and some immediate relief from pain. Patients should let the doctor know prior to LLLT are if he/she currently is fighting active cancer or if a patient may be pregnant. |
TRACTION
 | Various traction techniques may be used to elicit gentle stretching of the spinal joints. Intersegmental traction gradually mobilizes the individual spinal joints to elicit better joint motion in fixated joint segments. Axial traction creates stretching and opening of a specific region of the spine, where the discs may be compressed, degenerative, or bulging. Inversion traction involves lying supine on the table while being gently inverted into a position whereby the weight of the upper body provides gentle traction on the spine. Consideration must first be given to the patient’s overall health condition prior to beginning any traction therapy.. |
HYDRO MASSAGE
 | Hydromassage is a therapy in which our patient is laid on his or her back on a dry table with a water-filled cushion under his/her back and neck. Water jets fill the cushion with forcing gentle pressure along the muscle of the back using flotation, heat, and massage simultaneously to create multiple physiologic effects at once. Increased circulation, mobility, relaxation, analgesia, sedation, muscle spasm relief, promotion of tissue healing, and removal of metabolic toxins are all documented benefits of treatment while lying on the dry hydromassage table. |
HEAT/ICE THERAPY
 | Heat/Ice therapy is typically used in acute injuries as soon as possible post-injury. This helps decrease swelling and build-up in the area as well as promoting pain relief with localized numbness. Heat helps relax muscles and improve circulation, moving essential nutrients to affected areas. For certain conditions, pain relief and self-healing can be promoted when both heat and ice are used in alternating combination (Contrast Therapy). |
NEURO MUSCULAR AND ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION
 | Neuromuscular re-education is a therapeutic technique that is used to improve balance, coordination, posture, kinesthetic sense and proprioception. There is no precise description of what neuromuscular re-education entails. Treatment may include balance exercises such as one-legged standing and progressive use of a wobble board. Tandem exercises along with the postural challenge may be utilized to evaluate stability. Exercises using the balance ball techniques and biomechanical adjustment of activities requiring balance such and walking in a line or walking up or down steps. The individual receiving treatment is encouraged to feel the correct position of joints and to perceive the direction of movement of the body extremities. |
THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES
 | Our office uses a variety of exercises to help in pain relief, re-conditioning, and improving range of motion and stability of muscles and muscle groups. A typical program will begin with supported or assisted stretching. As the muscles become healthier physiologically, and the patient feels comfortable, he or she will typically be given an at home active stretching program and in office exercises will progress slowly to a strengthening routine. We utilize isometric and concentric strengthening techniques against progressive manual, Theraband, or free weight resistance. As patients begin in make significant strength gains, we begin to work towards building endurance in postural muscles and in specific activities. We use stationary bikes, treadmills, steps, and neuromuscular techniques to develop this last stage of rehabilitation. |
CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION
 | Most chiropractic treatment involves the re-alignment of different areas and particular joints in the spine. This can be done with either a hand-held activator device or through skillful full-body movement with focus and stabilization around misaligned joints. Patients tend to fell immediate and lasting relief as the body moves back into its natural alignment. |
ULTRASOUND
 | Ultrasound therapy is a technique that uses sound waves to penetrate heat deep into the soft tissue of a specific area of injury. This heat helps boost metabolism while decrease swelling and stiffness. A typical treatment lasts about eight minutes with the patient seated or lying down. A small wand glides slowly over the affected area. Most patients experience minimal reaction during treatment with some reporting feeling a deep warming sensation. Generally, the effects are immediate with improved range of motion, circulation and decreased spasm being noticed in our office. |