At Holmes Lake Chiropractic, there are several types of therapy modalities available which can speed the healing process and help with control of pain and inflammation. The following is a brief description of various treatment methods. Therapy modalities are used in addition to a spinal or extremity manipulation, as a stand-alone treatment, or in combination with acupuncture or rehab, depending upon the needs and response of the individual patient.

Electro-Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

EMS units can be used alone or sometimes in combination with ultrasound to relax  muscles before or after a manipulation, break up muscle spasms, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation. EMS is used on any part of the back, neck, legs or arms.

Interferential Therapy 

Interferential uses two electrical circuits which cross through the area being treated and provide a strong muscle contraction to relax painful and/or tight muscles.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a high-frequency sound wave which penetrates through muscle, nerve, and all soft sometimes used in combination with Electro-Muscle Stimulation to further relax the muscles.

Cervical Traction

traction is usually applied following an adjustment, helping to increase the mobility of problem areas in the cervical spine.

Lumbar Traction

Flexion-Distraction to the Lumbar spine is applied on a manual or automated table.  This gentle stretching to the lumbar and lower thoracic spine increases the effectiveness of spinal adjustments to these areas.

 Inversion Therapy

The patient is placed in a relaxing inclined position following spinal adjustments.  This places a gentle stretching on the spine and the muscles of the back, and is especially effective for thin discs.  Patients with high blood pressure, cardiac or circulatory problems would not be candidates for inversion therapy.

 Motorized Intersegmental Traction

Commonly referred to as a “roller bed”, this therapy gently kneads the entire spine following an adjustment.  Intersegmental Traction increases the mobility and flexibility of the spinal joints and relaxes the back muscles.

Shortwave Diathermy

Diathermy penetrates deeply into the soft tissue and muscles.  Heat applied at home is usually from infrared sources such as heating pads or hot water.  While infrared heat has a soothing effect, it only penetrates as deep as the skin, and often in the acute stages of back pain, it results in residual swelling and actually increases or prolongs the pain.

Cold Laser Therapy
Cold Laser (also known as Low Level Laser Therapy, or LLLT) is a safe and highly effective treatment modality that offers a rapid, drug-free, non-invasive healing solution for many conditions.    LLLT is beneficial for both acute and chronic conditions, such as sprains, strains, tendonitis, back and neck pain, problems in knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.