Chiropractic Care Through Activator and Manual Methods
Human Chiropractic
Diversified/Manual Technique
What is the Diversified Technique?
Diversified Technique (DT) is a chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation technique used by the majority of chiropractors. It is known as one of the most common adjustment techniques and used to restore proper alignment and movement in the spine and joints.
How Does Diversified Technique Work?
A chiropractor will make low-amplitude, high-velocity thrusts (using their hands or sometimes a table or block) to the spine, restoring the bio-mechanical function and correcting any subluxations. A subluxation is a slight misalignment of the vertebrae, regarded in most chiropractic theory as the cause of many health problems throughout the body.
The shallow quick thrusts are usually followed by popping noises which are commonly heard with chiropractic adjustments. This technique is extremely helpful to restoring joint dysfunction and settling the spine back to it’s normal place.
If you would like more information on chiropractic treatment, or would like to set up an appointment, call Walks of Life Chiropractic today at (719) 301-5598.
Activator Chiropractic Method
Dr. Parent is certified in the use one of the most popular “low force” chiropractic techniques in the world to help patients live a better and healthier lifestyle.
First the Evaluation:
We begin by analyzing how well your spine moves. We test how well you turn and bend. While you’re lying face down, we’ll evaluate the length of your legs.
This simple procedure can reveal significant differences in leg lengths.
This time-tested protocol tells us if subluxations exist and their location. It also helps us know when to adjust and when not to adjust.
The Adjusting Instrument:
The Activator Methods® Adjusting Instrument is a handheld spring-loaded tool that delivers a consistent low-force, high-speed thrust.
Because it’s many times faster than adjustments delivered by hand, the body rarely tightens to resist, making adjustments comfortable and effective. It’s also helpful for adjusting elbows, wrists, knees and other joints of the body.
The Follow Up:
After your adjustment, we retest to make sure changes have been produced. Testing afterwards helps us deliver high-quality care and high levels of patient satisfaction.
If you would like more information on the Activator Protocol, or would like to set up an appointment, call Walks of Life Chiropractic today at (719) 301-5598.
Soft Tissue Manipulation
Walks of Life Chiropractic offers a variety of different types of soft tissue manipulative devices, in addition to techniques done by hand. After performing a detailed history and exam, the doctor will create a patient specific treatment plan that may include one or more of the following treatments:
Soft tissue manipulation provided by hands:
Instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation:
If you would like more information on soft tissue manipulation, or would like to set up an appointment, call Walks of Life Chiropractic today at (719) 301-5598.
Electrotherapy/Interferential Current Therapy
Interferential Current therapy is an effective therapy method used to relieve pain and accelerate the self-healing process. It is essentially a deeper form of electrical stimulation. To perform this method of treatment, electrodes are placed on the skin around the injured or painful body part. An Interferential Current device is then used, which transmits electrical impulses in minute quantities throughout your skin. Underlying tissue and nerves become stimulated which begins the healing properties. These impulses are not painful, and can be described as a minor prickle on the skin.
Interferential Current Therapy is used to treat:
Advantages of Interferential Current Therapy include:
Additionally, Interferential Current Therapy also assists in blood circulation and rushes recovery by stimulating endorphins.
If you would like more information on electrical stimulation, or would like to set up an appointment, call Walks of Life Chiropractic today at (719) 301-5598.
Kinesio Tape
The use of Kinesio Tape is a rehabilitative technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process, while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion, as well as providing extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of the chiropractic adjustment.
Kinesio Tape is latex-free and wearable for multiple days at a time. Kinesio Tape is safe for patients ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and it successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions. The use of Kinesio Tape targets specific neuroreceptors within the somatosensory system.
We use Kinesio Tape to relieve and alleviate the patient’s pain and enhance lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. This lifting effect causes the skin to convolute very slightly increasing the interstitial space and allowing for a decrease in the inflammation of the affected area.
After a clinical assessment, the Kinesio Tape is applied to the patient in a specific pattern over the injured area. The doctor determines the pattern, amount of stretch and direction of the tapes application. Kinesio Tape can be applied in hundreds of ways and has the ability to re-educate the neuromuscular system, reduce pain and inflammation, optimize performance, prevent injury and promote good circulation and healing, thus assisting the patient to returning to homeostasis.
Evaluation and assessment are key in the treatment of any clinical condition. Our doctor will perform a thorough assessment which may include manual muscle testing, range of motion testing, gait assessment, and any other neurological orthopedic tests that may be necessary.
The use of Kinesio Tape has been proven to be effective physiologically on the skin, lymphatic and circulatory system, fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. It can be used in conjunction with a multitude of other treatments and modalities within our clinic. Kinesio Tape can be effective during the acute and chronic stages of an injury and often times it can be helpful in preventative measures.
If you would like more information on Kinesio Taping, or would like to set up an appointment, call Walks of Life Chiropractic today at (719) 301-5598.
Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound is a painless therapy that uses ultrasonic sound waves. Ultrasound is applied using a round-headed wand, which is placed in direct contact with the patient’s skin.
The sound waves that pass through the skin cause a vibration in the tissues being treated. This vibration can cause a deep heating locally, though usually no sensation of heat will be felt by the patient. In situations where a heating effect is not desirable, such as a fresh injury with inflammation, the ultrasound wave can be adjusted to not generate heat.
Ultrasound can produce many therapeutic effects. It has been shown to cause increases in tissue relaxation, local blood flow, and scar tissue breakdown. The benefit of increasing blood flow not only helps to increase supply of oxygen but it can also help to reduce local swelling and chronic inflammation. There are some studies that suggest ultrasound may even help promote bone fracture healing. The intensity of the ultrasound is controlled by our doctor, depending on the desired effect and depth of penetration.
A typical ultrasound treatment will take about 8 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated. Our patients usually feel no discomfort and many will comment that the ultrasound is soothing and enjoyable. We use ultrasound to treat conditions such as tendonitis, non-acute joint pain and swelling, muscle spasm and restricted joint mobility.
If you would like more information on therapeutic ultrasound, or would like to set up an appointment, call Walks of Life Chiropractic today at (719) 301-5598.
Active Care
Sports Injuries
Professional sports figures are consistently reaching new heights in their professional careers. With each passing year, new records are shattered and the human body is pushed to its limits. Everyday athletes follow suit by pushing themselves harder, choosing rigorous training patterns, and taking their diets to a new level. Despite the meticulous care and training that athletes take, they experience musculoskeletal injuries.
Chiropractors are to athletes, just as Cardiologists are to those who suffer with cardiovascular disease. Chiropractors have specific training in evaluating and treating the injuries and ailments of athletes. These doctors can often treat an injured athlete more effectively than some medical doctors, who are not well versed in sports injuries. In addition to treating athletic injuries, the chiropractor is skilled in aiding the athlete in injury prevention.
Some athletes who receive treatment from a medical doctor find themselves frequently benched and on the sidelines. Others play and then spend hours after the game with ice packs and taking pain medication. Some medical doctors do not treat the body as an integrated system, but rather treats each injury individually.
It has been said that chiropractic care most closely relates to the needs of the athlete because special attention is given to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, and nerves. Chiropractic ensures that all pieces of the musculoskeletal system are working in harmony and in their healthiest, most natural state.
Professional athletes see such a great value in chiropractic treatment that they regularly have chiropractic well visits to prevent injuries. If you are an athlete or weekend warrior, chiropractic care will enable you to reach peak performance, without breaking yourself.
If you have any questions about sports injuries or would like to schedule an appointment, call Walks of Life Chiropractic today at (719) 301-5598.
Rehabilitative Conditioning
Often times, success in our clinic is elevated by the development of therapeutic exercises for our patients. Therapeutic exercises refer to a wide range of physical activities that focus on restoring and maintaining strength, endurance, flexibility, stability, and balance. The goal of introducing therapeutic exercises to our patients is to return an injured patient to a fully functioning, pain-free state.
After conducting an evaluation of the individual’s physical capabilities and reviewing the medical history, the doctor will shape a treatment plan. Your treatment plan will include an exercise program that is appropriate for each individual’s needs. Our doctor and staff will monitor your progress and modify your plan as you begin to recover.
Your treatment combines spinal care from your chiropractor with exercise to help the body reduce pain and inflammation. Once this is achieved, the exercise program focuses on regaining range of motion and rebuilding your muscle strength and endurance.
Therapeutic exercises that may be included in a patient’s treatment include:
With time and repetition, our patients should be able to return to performing their activities of daily living. Improving mobility and having pain-free joints and muscles are typical. Another benefit of receiving care in our clinic is improving circulation and a reduction in overall rigidity. Your balance and coordination will improve as your overall health and vitality is enhanced.
If you have any questions about corrective exercises, contact Walks of Life Chiropractic today at (719) 301-5598.