Manual Adjustments

Chiropractic manual adjustments are performed with the intention of eliminating the direct and reflex effects resulting from compromised mechanics (subluxation) resulting from falls, accidents, stress, overexertion, tension, faulty posture, and other factors. Adjustments are performed to relieve pain, restore motion, remodel scar tissue (adhesions), relieve muscle spasms, and promote healing. Chiropractic adjustments and manipulations may be beneficial for low back pain, headache, and neck pain.

Types of Manual Adjustments

There are many types of chiropractic adjustments and manipulations and just as many different techniques to decide which of these adjustments to use. Dr. Volkmann draws upon his education and experience to choose the optimal maneuver(s) for each individual from the more than 96 chiropractic maneuvers used. In general, adjustments incorporate a manual thrust in a definite direction with a specific force and at a particular point of the anatomy to correct a subluxation. Dr. Volkmann will determine how much force to use to correct the subluxation.

Segmental Traction

What is Segmental Traction?

It is a way of inducing passive motion into the spine for the purpose of stretching spinal joints and increasing mobility.

How does Segmental Traction Work?

The patient lies face up on a bench table which has roller-type cams beneath its surface. These rollers can slowly travel the length of the spine, stretching spinal joints.

What does Segmental Traction feel like?

Most patients find this form of treatment to be relaxing and very helpful. The gentle rolling action is restful, exercising the spine without effort. Why is Segmental Traction used?

Since discs have a poor blood supply, they get nutrients from the circulation of fluids surrounding spinal joints. Fixations prevent this natural circulation and can cause disc thinning and degeneration. Segmental Traction helps increase and restore necessary elasticity and motion to the spine. Patient Benefits:

• Reduces painful symptoms
• Increases spinal mobility
• Improves blood supply to the disc, causing it to heal more quickly
• Decreases local swelling
• Reduces spinal fixations
• Accelerates the healing process
• Combined with the Chiropractic Adjustment, Segmental Traction is a very effective way to help

your body heal more quickly

Stretching Advice

The first thing to remember when starting a stretching program is that the goal is to increase flexibility and functioning of the muscle. If you are feeling pain during a stretch there are a couple of things you can do. First try decreasing the intensity of the stretch by not going into the stretch as far. If there is still pain, then stop doing the stretch and ask your doctor what you should do. Stretches can be modified by your doctor so that they are not causing any pain. Note: stretch should be a little uncomfortable. If there is no feeling of tension or a slight ache (but not a painful ache), then the stretching is not being done effectively.

Always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. There are some general "rules" that you can follow, however, if you are stretching on your own. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds, without bouncing. If the stretch isn’t held long enough, it will not be effective. If the stretch is held too long, or done with bouncing, injury could occur. The more often you stretch the more effective stretching will be. You don’t, however, start out by stretching four times a day. Start by stretching once or twice a day and gradually increase the frequency as your body adjusts to the stretching program.

It takes one to two weeks of stretching before you will note any changes in flexibility or function of the muscle. So don’t get discouraged if it seems that the stretches are not working. It is also important to be patient with yourself, don’t push too hard because the stretch is not working fast enough.

Remember there is always another way to stretch the same muscle. So don’t let yourself get bored. Stretching can be fun, and having a wide variety of stretches will help you keep your interest and motivation to continue stretching. You can always ask your doctor for another stretch, a different variation of a stretch, or even for an opinion on a stretch you discovered yourself.

Ice/Heat Treatment

Ice packs and heating pads are among the most commonly used therapeutic treatments. So which one is the right one to use, ice or heat? And how long should the ice or heat treatments last?

Ice Treatment

Ice is most commonly used for acute injuries. If you have a recent injury (within the last 48 hours), where swelling is a problem, you should use ice. Ice packs can help minimize swelling around the injury. Decreasing swelling around an injury will help to control the pain. Ice may also be used for chronic conditions, such as overuse injuries in athletes. In this case, ice the injured area after activity. Icing after activity will help control the inflammatory responses. Never ice a chronic injury before activity.

Heat Treatment

Heat should be used for chronic conditions to help relax and loosen tissues, and to stimulate blood flow to the area. Use heat on chronic conditions, such as overuse injuries, before participating in activities. Do not use heat treatments after activity, and do not use heat after an acute injury (see above). Heating tissues can be accomplished using a heating pad, or even a hot, wet towel. When using heat treatments, be very careful to use moderate heat for a limited time (be careful of burns). Never leave heating pads or towels on for extended periods or while sleeping.

Nutrition Advice

There is no better way to rejuvenate your health than by eating more nutritiously. In fact, even a few simple changes in your diet and lifestyle can have a positive impact on your health-and can also prevent a variety of health problems in the future.

The traditional coffee and doughnuts for breakfast; a hamburger for lunch-or no lunch; candy, cookies, and a soft drink for a snack; followed by a huge dinner with more protein than a person needs-are unhealthy dietary choices. As a result, younger people are starting to suffer from heart disease-not only because of poor diet, but also because of an epidemic of inactivity.

To reverse the alarming trend, many doctors of chiropractic urge patients to stop smoking, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and augment their balanced diet with appropriate nutritional supplements.

Electric Muscle Stimulations

What is NMES?

• Electric muscle stimulation, known as Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), is the process in which muscle tone and strength is restored to those going through physical therapy. NMES allows those in physical therapy, who otherwise would not be able to exercise in the usual manner, still develop muscle tone by using electrical muscle contraction.

How the Machinary Works:

• The NMES machine works by conducting electrical currents from the machine to the muscle at a safe current rate. The process starts by placing self-adhesive electrodes to the motor points of the desired muscle or muscle system. The dial on the machine is slowly adjusted until the patient can feel the current passing through the skin and into the muscle. The higher the setting on the dial, the faster the muscle will contract and relax. This process is continued for a varied amount of time dependent on how large of muscle the NMES is trying to stimulate.

Exercise Advice

Proper training and utilization of any exercise will increase stamina and enable active play without any bodily harm. Overall health is thus achieved when properly trained how to improve stamina and endurance. Volkmann Chiropractic will advise the patient on the proper amount of exercise one should undergo that will increase your ability to exercise properly and achieve the results that you are hoping for.

Learning to exercise properly will help in the avoidance of any bodily injury. Various techniques can be implemented quite easily, if you are properly trained in how to do them. Volkmann Chiropractic can assist you in regards to this.

Also Learning how to lift something properly with help you to avoid any sports related injury. Learning how to exercise properly will assist you in achieving your goal. Volkmann Chiropractic is fully trained in this field.

Ultrasound

For Chiropractors, ultrasound therapy can be useful for many different patients. The ‘micro-massage’ that ultrasound creates can help reduce swelling, increase blood flow, and decrease pain, stiffness, and spasms, making it a viable therapy for numerous applications. From patients who have suffered car accidents to those that have chronic back pain from any number of sources, ultrasound therapy can help them.

Rehabilitation Advice

Rehabilitation Chiropractic focuses on injuries and conditions unique to the active patient, as well as promoting principles of physical fitness. Restoring kinetic chain functioning is fundamental to the rehabilitation chiropractor. Manual methods are used, such as spinal manipulation, extremity manipulation and mobilization, and myofascial release and muscle energy techniques. Exercise programs focus on stabilizing posture by addressing issues such as balance, core, stretching tightened postural muscles and strengthening reciprocally weakened muscles. The concepts can be applied to everyone, of course, not just the athlete.

Proper referral (If Necessary)

During the initial consultation Dr. Volkmann will give you a report of his findings and the diagnosis. If his assessment determines that you should be seen by another health care professional or there is a need for diagnostic imaging Volkmann Chiropractic will make the proper referral. Dr. Volkmann will recommend an individualized treatment plan of specific chiropractic care, adjunct therapies, exercises, and nutritional recommendations that will promote whole body wellness.

Once your treatment plan is in place future visits will not take as long. During these appointments Dr. Volkmann will locate and reduce spinal subluxations, perform adjunct therapies and assess your nutritional and exercise plans to continue to assist you in your journey towards health.

Work related and Auto accident injuries

Workers' Compensation Insurance covers chiropractic care with good reason. Some 13 separate studies in various states have repeatedly found that chiropractic care gets people back to work much sooner and at far lower cost than medical care for the same type of on-the-job back injuries. For the insurance company, not only are the direct costs lower but the compensation costs for lost work time are dramatically lower as well.

Chiropractic care usually leads to fewer chronic cases, and gets people back on their feet and back to work sooner. That is great for the patient and reason enough to choose Volkmann Chiropractic for work-related job injuries.

Volkmann Chiropractic is ready to help you with all of the paperwork, including filing an accident report with your employer and billing the insurance carrier. Dr. Volkmann will help guide you through the red tape, so that you can focus on getting better.