Chiropractic adjustment
Chiropractic adjusting involves first placing the patient in a specific set-up position. Depending on the joint to be adjusted the set-up
position may have the patient lying on their stomach, back, side or sitting up. The doctor then applies a preload force to the joint in question with
the hand. A very quick short thrust is then applied by the doctor to the joint. This thrust imparts movement in the joint which may or may not
result in an audible click or pop sound. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to relieve pain, relax muscles, and increase movement.
One of the fundamental ideas of Chiropractic treatment is that spinal nerves are negatively affected as they exit the spinal column when there
is reduced motion and pain between vertebra. These spinal nerves travel out to every structure in the body. If they are negatively affected
they will be sending faulty signals and problems can arise. It is for this reason spinal manipulation is so important to overall health.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, which can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, is one of the oldest medical procedures in the world. Acupuncture
had its origins in China more than 2500 years ago and is a treatment which encourages the patient's body to cure itself. In acupuncture,
the nerves in the skin and muscles are stimulated by the penetration of thin, metallic needles at anatomic points that are known as acupuncture points.
This causes the body to increase the release of natural painkillers. These natural painkillers, endorphin and serotonin, are released in the pain pathway
of the brain and the spinal cord causing the pain signals which are received to be modified. The effect is a decreased amount of pain experienced by the
patient. Dr. Skalenda has seen significant benefits on multiple types of injuries and conditions, but especially likes to use acupuncture on patients
in severe pain and with conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder, ear pain and pressure and sinus issues.
Registered Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, specifically the muscles, connective tissue, tendons,
ligament and joints, Massage therapy treatments have a therapeutic effect on the body and improve health and well-being by acting on the muscular,
nervous and circulatory systems. Massage therapy treatments can range from light, relaxation massages to deep tissue sport massages to address
specific injuries. Registered Massage Therapy treatments are covered under most extended health insurance plans.
Muscular release therapy
This therapy involves placing the specific muscle in a shortened position then lengthening the muscle while applying pressure with the thumb or
hand to produce a stretch, remove any scar tissue adhesions, to improve motion in the muscle and reduce pain.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a therapeutic modality that has been used by therapists since the 1940s. Ultrasound is applied using a wand or probe put in direct
contact with the skin. Ultrasound gel is used on the surface of the head to reduce friction and improve the transmission of the ultrasonic waves.
The sound waves that pass through the skin cause a vibration of the local tissues which can cause a local heating effect though usually no heat will
be felt by the patient.
Ultrasound has been shown to cause increased tissue relaxation, local blood flow, and scar tissue breakdown. The increase in local blood flow
can help reduce local swelling, chronic inflammation, and may promote bone fracture healing. The intensity of the ultrasound can be adjusted
depending on the desired effect.
Interferential Current (IFC)
IFC has been used in physical therapy treatment for many years and has been proven to be very safe. The IFC machine produces electrical currents
that pass through the affected area of the patient. The current tends to penetrate deeper than other electrical modalities, such as TENS, and has a
number of physiological effects that have therapeutic value. The physiological effects include:
- Increasing local blood flow which can improve healing by reducing swelling and as a result helps remove damaged tissue and bring nutrients
necessary for healing to the injured area
- Stimulation of local nerve cells providing a pain reducing effect;
- Muscle stimulation to overcome some of the muscle inhibition often caused by local injury and swelling;
- During treatment patient will feel a tingling or 'pins and needles' sensation at the area being treated which may continue
for a period following treatment.
Trigger Point Therapy
A trigger point is defined as "a hyper-irritable spot usually within a taut band of muscle that is painful on compression and can give rise
to characteristic referred pain patterns, tenderness and autonomic phenomena."
Trigger points prevent full lengthening of muscles thus reducing full range of motion. Trigger point therapy releases these spots by using
cross fiber friction massage, longitudinal muscle stripping and manual compression.
Custom orthotics
Custom orthotics help your body restore a natural balance and normal movement patterns, thereby reducing strain, pain and discomfort. They
support and gently reposition the heel, arch, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in the feet, enabling these structures to work more efficiently.
Recent research also concludes that custom orthotics function to alter neurological function which tunes the muscles to work better at dampening
vibration and therefore reducing injury. For optimal results, a custom orthotic should be worn on a daily basis inside quality, supportive footwear.
The orthotics provider at Millwood Chiropractic will determine if you are a pronator or a supinator, the degree to which you pronate or supinate,
and then design custom orthotics that best suite the degree of correction or shock absorption that you require.
Your healthcare practitioner will provide specific instructions on how to gradually increase wearing time for activities of daily living and/or
for specific activities such as running or sports. Over time, custom orthotics prescribed by your healthcare practitioner will bring you relief
from excessive pressure points, fatigue and pain, allowing you to enjoy daily activities once again.
Custom Stretching Programs
Dr. Skalenda provides most patients with a customized stretching program to address their unique needs depending
upon the condition that they are seeking treatment for. He takes information from the orthopedic testing and muscular
palpation performed in his physical examination and uses that information to prescribe a customized stretching program
that suites each patient’s individual needs. Early on in Dr. Skalenda’s chiropractic career he noticed that patients
were often being shown stretches by other health care providers that were incorrect for the diagnosis and therefore
slowed or stopped recovery. With removing the incorrect stretching activity from the patient’s routine and adding
in stretching exercises that fit the diagnosis better, Dr. Skalenda would see a quick improvement in pain levels
of the patient. The patients of Dr. Skalenda who regularly perform the prescribed customized stretching programs
always comment on how well they feel with performing the stretching exercises regularly.