Chiropractors use a variety of non-surgical treatments to treat patients with: • Lumbar Pain (Lower back pain) • Sciatica (radiating leg pain) • Cervical Pain (neck pain) • Thoracic Spine pain (mid back pain) • Repetitive strains (tendinitis/bursitis) • Headaches/TMJ(Jaw pain) • Sports injuries • Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) injuries • Arthritic pain
Assessment
Novo chiropractors focus on detailed assessments to get to the root cause of a patients complaint and therefore resolve their issues for the long term. An initial chiropractic exam for back pain will typically have three parts: a consultation, case history, and physical examination. Laboratory analysis and X-ray examination may be performed. 1. Consultation. The patient meets with the chiropractor and provides a brief synopsis of his or her lower back pain, such as: o Duration and frequency of symptoms o Description of the symptoms (e.g. burning, throbbing) o Areas of pain o What makes the pain feel better (e.g. sitting, stretching) o What makes the pain feel worse (e.g. standing, lifting). 2. Case history. The chiropractor identifies the area(s) of complaint and the nature of the back pain by asking questions and learning more about different areas of the patient’s history, including: o Family history o Dietary habits o Past history of other treatments (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical and other) o Occupational history o Psychosocial history 3. Physical examination. A chiropractor may utilize a variety of methods to determine the spinal segments that require chiropractic treatments, including but not limited to static and motion palpation techniques determining spinal segments that are hypo mobile (restricted in their movement) or fixated. Depending on the results of the above examination, a chiropractor may use additional diagnostic tests, such as: o X-ray to locate subluxations (the altered position of the vertebra) o A device that detects the temperature of the skin in the paraspinal region to identify spinal areas with a significant temperature variance that requires manipulation. Novo chiropractors utilize a holistic, biomechanical concept of treating the bipedal structure in its entirety, in an attempt to balance the structure from the feet upward. This can include a gait analysis, 3D foot scan and 3D postural scan.
Treatment
At Novo, our Chiropractors use several different treatment options to help their patients. These include chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue techniques, laser therapy, orthotics, electrical stimulation (TENS/NMES) and specialized exercise prescription. What is an adjustment? A chiropractic adjustment, also known as chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation, or spinal manipulation, is a common therapeutic treatment for spinal related pain. A chiropractic adjustment refers to a chiropractor applying manipulation to the vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. The objective of this chiropractic treatment is to reduce the subluxation, with the goals of increasing range of motion, reducing nerve irritability and improving function. Novo Chiropractors also utilize the Activator Method for treatment The Activator Method Chiropractic Technique is a diagnostic and treatment system used by some chiropractors to treat many types of back pain, neck pain, and headaches (both chronic and migraine). The Activator Method uses a small, hand-held instrument called the Activator Adjusting Instrument to deliver a gentle impulse force to the spine with the goal of restoring motion to the targeted spinal vertebra or joint. It is an alternative to the traditional manual form of spinal manipulation, known as the high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) thrust. Novo Chiropractors also use the Graston Technique for treatment The Graston Technique is a form of manual therapy known as soft-tissue instrument-assisted mobilization. It is one of a number of manual therapy approaches that uses instruments with a specialized form of massage/scraping the skin gently. The therapy is designed to help the practitioner identify areas of restriction and attempt to break up scar tissue. The general goals of the therapy are to reduce the patient’s pain and increase function through a combination of: • Breaking down the scar tissue and fascia restrictions that are usually associated with some form of trauma to the soft tissue (e.g., a strained muscle or a pulled ligament, tendon, or fascia). • Reducing restrictions by stretching connective tissue in an attempt to rearrange the structure of the soft tissue being treated (e.g., muscle, fascia, tendons, ligaments). • Promoting a better healing environment for the injured soft tissue. Novo Chiropractors also use cutting edge laser therapy as a treatment option.
