Chiropractic Physical Medicine

Active Treatment vs. Wellness Care

 In active treatment course, we will focus on relieving, correcting, and stabilizing your condition. You will have regular, 30-minute visits with the doctor — allowing for enough time to review progress, reassess your condition, alter the treatment plan as necessary, and render treatment. Short and long-term objectives will be discussed throughout your treatment to ensure your healthcare goals are achieved.

 Once your condition has been corrected and stabilized, you will meet with Dr. Lambatos for a wellness care appointments. In this stage of care, we will focus on maintaining your health status. 

McKenzie Method of MDT

The McKenzie Method of mechanical diagnosis and therapy is a therapy used to properly evaluate, diagnose, and treat our patients’ musculoskeletal complaints.  MDT is an extremely reliable assessment process based on the patient’s symptom response to end-range joint movements. After years of research, MDT has proven to have a 92% success rate for any musculoskeletal issues. These include back pain (including sciatica), neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, and headaches (TMJ concerns). Other commonly seen symptoms include sciatica, sacroiliac joint pain, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, muscle spasms, and numbness or tingling in hands or feet. 

The McKenzie Method is a therapeutic technique that was developed by Robin McKenzie an expert physiotherapist in the 1950s and has been extensively researched to significantly reduce and/or abolish symptoms with the use of pain medication, injections, surgery, or costly diagnostic imaging.  The McKenzie Method allows patients to learn the principles of self-treatment and empowers them to be in control of their own symptom management, which can reduce dependency on invasive medical interventions and endless treatment plans.

The achievable goals of The McKenzie Method is a cost-effective manner to:

  • Accurately understand the patient’s presentation and behavior of symptoms.

  • Determine the most appropriate and effective treatment plan.

  • Eliminate symptoms and restore full function.

  • Empower the patient to self-treat.

  • Reduces office visits.

  • Educates patients on how to address flare-ups to reduce reoccurrences.  

Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation

Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation also known as an “Adjustment” is a high-velocity low-amplitude thrust to help restore function and motion to a joint that has become restricted.  This gentle treatment stimulates the nervous system to help reduce pain and relax local musculature. The audible sound that may be heard during an adjustment is the release of nitrogen gas from a joint capsule.

Chiropractic philosophy previously felt an “adjustment” moved bones back in place.  However, new research has found that no bones are moved during this process.  The goal of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation is to restore movement in segments found to be hypomobile. 

Some people may ask “Is an adjustment safe”?  Many studies have proven that Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation is safe and effective in the treatment of many conditions such as neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel, and sciatica.  In 1994 the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research published this technique as a gold standard for low back pain.  Since this article, many more have been written supporting the role of Chiropractic and its manipulative procedures. 

Flexion Distraction

Flexion distraction is a technique that is based on the application of small, precise amounts of flexion and distraction to the part of the spine experiencing disc compression or herniation.  As the vertebrae in question are gently pulled away from each other, negative pressure draws the herniated or bulging disc back into position, relieving nerve pressure and pain as well as moving much-needed fluids back into the disc.  

This gentle technique can also be used for individuals suffering from stenosis and osteoarthritis.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release technique is a gentle blend of stretching and massage using traction and positioning of the body to coax muscles in spasm to relax and break painful adhesions in the fascia (tissue).  Scarring or injury to this network of connective tissue is a major cause of pain and impeded motion.

Hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints alleviates the discomfort associated with everyday occupational stresses, muscular overuse, and many chronic pain syndromes.

Myofascial Release technique can also greatly reduce the development of painful muscular patterning if employed early enough after accidents involving trauma and injury.  The therapy’s easy stretches aim to alleviate these problems by breaking up, or “releasing,” constrictions or snags in the fascia. This therapy is used for many conditions as well in people of all ages.

Benefits of Myofascial Release technique include:

  • Enhancing general relaxation and stress reduction

  • Improved circulation of blood and lymph

  • Improving immune system functioning

  • Increased flexibility of muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues

  • Increased joint range of motion

  • Relieving muscle aches and stiffness

  • Removal of metabolic waste products from muscles

Therapeutic Exercises

Therapeutic exercises can be used for rehabilitation, referring to a wide range of physical activities that focus on restoring and maintaining strength, endurance, flexibility, stability, and balance.  The goal of therapeutic exercises is to return an injured patient to a fully functioning, pain-free state.

After the inflammation is reduced and normal joint mechanics are restored, either with Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy and/or End Range Loading, a thorough evaluation of an individual’s physical capabilities and activities of daily living will be analyzed and addressed.  Professional treatment care will then be developed containing a slowly progressing exercise program that is appropriate to each individual’s needs.  The exercise program focuses on regaining range of motion and rebuilding muscle strength and endurance.

Exercises that may be included in a therapeutic program include:

  • Strengthening exercises are usually performed with heavy resistance and fewer repetitions – kettlebells and weights.

  • Endurance exercises that engage large muscle groups over a longer period of time.

  • Flexibility exercises are achieved through stretching and movement – yoga therapeutics.

  • Balance and coordination exercises that focus on maintaining an individual’s center of gravity – box jumps and use of wobble and rocker board exercises.