Manipulation

Manual techniques performed by Dr. Willis are in order to restore proper joint motion, breakup scar tissue, assist in nerve transmission and relieve pain and muscle spasm.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation is the primary tool which Dr. Willis will be using to facilitate your recovery.  The removal of spinal misalignments (a vertebrae out of position irritating a nerve) and the maintenance of that irritation removal is absolutely the most important aspect of your treatment.

Your body will communicate better with itself with spinal adjustments.  When better communication occurs, the overall length of treatment is reduced.  Manipulations are usually given in a series over a period of time.  This is the most effective way to rehabilitate injured joints and nerves and allows your body’s God given ability to heal itself.

Sometimes when this treatment has not been done, it can be the reason for not getting well.

Transcutaneous Neuro-Stimulation (TNS)

What is TNS Therapy?

TNS uses extremely small amountts of electrical current (millionths of an amp) to help relieve pain and heal soft tissues of the body. It is listed in the AMA CPT Code Book as a surgical procedure.

Injury to the body disrupts its normal electrical activity. TNS produces electrical signals like those naturally occurring when the body is repairing damaged tissues. By applying similar electrical currents, the healing process is enhanced.

The electrical current used in TNS is so small that it's rarely felt. However, the water-moistened electrodes or gel used to conduct the current may seem cool when first applied.

TNS is often recommended in cases involving soft tissue inflammation or muscle spasm. Since TNS mimics the body's electrical fields it is helpful in relieving pain and stimulating the healing of soft tissues.

Trigger Point Infiltration

What is a Trigger Point?
A Trigger Point is an area of uncontrolled muscle tightness causing tenderness, which interferes with normal muscle function. This restricts normal range of motion, weakens the muscle, and may refer pain to other parts of the body.

How do Trigger Point Infiltrations (TPI’s) work?

Using the hands, the skin is gently pressed to locate underlying tight bands or nodules of muscle fibers. Then a small amount of medication is injected into the spasm to relax it.

Your injection experience

Most trigger point injections are done in your doctor’s office. You can go home soon after the procedure. The injection site may be sore for a day or two. Placing ice or heat on the injection sites will help

Why are Trigger Point Injections used?

Trigger Point injections are a highly effective way to reduce muscle spasms and relax hyperactive muscles. This restores normal range of motion, relieves pain and promotes faster healing.

AquaMed Therapy

What is Dry Hydrotherapy?

AquaMED Dry Hydrotherapy is a combination of therapies; circulatory effects of whirlpool treatment, heat and massage in every session. You are comfortably supported and protected by a mattress barrier while streams of heated water are directed to the treatment area.

Some patients say they feel a deep sense of peacefulness while others become acutely aware of their bodies. As the rhythmical waves of warm water pass, you may notice that your breathing rate has slowed and you feel more relaxed. Other individuals report a tingling or itching sensation as circulation is increased.

What Conditions Are Treated with AquaMED?

AquaMED is designed to simulate and provide many of the benefits of hands-on massage. With the ability to stimulate circulation and provide relief from pain and muscle spasms, it has become a vital therapy and is used in a variety of medical settings. In addition to treating muscle aches, pains and spasms, doctors indicate they have used the equipment to treat chronic pain, pressure sores, wounds, arthritis and degenerative disorders, fibromyalgia, spastic conditions, swelling and edema.

Superficial Heat

What is a Superficial Heat?

Hot packs, hot baths, moist warm towels, heating pads, water bottles and infared lamps are often used to help raise the temperature of soft tissues directly below the surface of the skin.

Heat applied to the surface of the skin enlarges blood vessels below the surface, relaxing tissues and temporarily relieving painful symptoms. Increasing circulation and relaxing muscles is helpful before or after chiropractic manipulation, exercises, and other treatments.

Heat is usually recommended for the relaxation of tissues in spasm and temporary relief of the symptoms associated with chronic pain and muscle spasms. Treatments are most effective when they last 15-20 minutes.

Using heat to calm tissues suffering from long term spasm or irritation is an easy way to increase flexibility, range of motion, and promote increased circulation to speed the healing process.

Other Medical Therapies

Pain Killers are often used to treat acute pain. Seldom are they used for chronic pain.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are most commonly used to reduce swelling and irritation but also can relieve minor pain.

Anti-depressants, originally used only to treat depression. Studies have shown that these medications can alleviate pain in certain situations. Furthermore, they may have the added benefit of helping you to sleep at night.

Other Medicines, your doctor may prescribe medicine that is more specific to the type of pain you are experiencing.

Intersegemental Traction

Intersegemental Traction is used to improve mobility and circulation in the joints of the spine. In spinal injuries or mechanical problems of the spine, the articulations or joints of the spine lose their mobility. Traction stretches the joint, causing a suction which helps the flexibility of the intervertebral disc. Traction also opens up the joint articulations and increases the blood flow in the spine.

Intersegemental traction also relaxes the spinal muscles due to its soothing effect on the spine and spinal nerves, to help reduce tension and nervousness, as well as helps the spine to heal with more mobility and strength.

Along with your treatment, we will many times recommend the application of ice. The conditions requiring ice involve extreme pain and swelling. Ice brings on this relief by constricting the blood vessels in the involved area thereby decreasing the swelling and pressure and ultimately the pain.

Acupuncture (oriental physical therapy)

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.

Acupuncture is a centuries-old system of care that involves the relatively painless insertion of needles along channels(meridians) of the body.  It combines the art and science of healing to improve function, reduce pain and inflamation, and restore balance and wholeness.  Acupuncture works on many levels to switch on the body's own natural healing mechanisms.   Each treatment is customized to the individual person to treat the root cause of illness or imbalance rather than suppressing the symptoms.  When practiced responsibly, acupuncture is very safe, we use only single-use (diposable) needles at Medi-Practic.

Although primarily used for pain management by Dr. Kelly, it has broader applications, such as treatment for digestive, respiratory, urinary and menstrual disorders.  It is also used for smoking cessation, weight control and treatment of addiction.