TREATMENTS OFFERED:
 

Joint  Manipulation               Joint Mobilization	"The skilled passive movement of a joint."   -Paris, S.V., Phys. Ther., 49:8, Aug 1979 "The skilled passive movement to a joint and/or related soft tissues at varying speeds and amplitudes including a small amplitude high velocity therapeutic movement. "   - 1999 version of the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice. Three basic types of joint manipulation/mobilization are utilized in physical therapy including distraction, non-thrust, and thrust with several subcategories.
Muscle Energy Technique	This evidence based approach treats joints that are held out of place by muscles which are hypertonic (have increased tone).  It involves the therapist positioning the joint in the direction of restricted motion and the patient providing a gentle muscle contraction.  This team approach allows the joint to return to a normal position by re-educating the neuromusculoskeletal system.
Soft Tissue Mobilization	The skilled passive movement of muscle and connective tissue with particular attention to tissue glide and restoration of balance.  This type of mobilization includes a variety of techniques designed to enhance function and performance.
CranioSacral Therapy	John Upledger D.O. originated this approach which involves very gentle pressure which is helpful in releasing connective tissue tightness throughout the body.  It is extremely useful with chronic pain conditions, headaches, and situations in which traditional hands-on techniques yield only short term relief.
Myofascial Release	A connective tissue mobilization in which gentle traction is utilized which allows fascial layers to slide on one another.  This in turn restores more of a balanced state and improves function.
Massage	The manipulation of muscle and connective tissue to enhance the function of those tissues and promote relaxation and well-being. Therapeutic massage or soft tissue mobilization can ease tension, reduce pain, and reduce the symptoms of arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Neural Tension Testing and Treatment	This technique was developed by David S. Butler, physiotherapist - Australia. This hands-on approach locates restrictions in nerve gliding throughout the body.  Normal movement dictates the gliding of nerves through the connective tissue and muscle layers.  This technique uses specific passive range of motion movements to increase the ability of the nerves to glide and reduces complaints of pain, tingling and numbness where a nerve gliding restriction is the cause.
Ultrasound	A therapeutic agent which provides deep heat (up to 2.5 inches) which increases tissue extensibility, increases blood flow, increases the pain threshold, increases enzymatic activity, and changes the contractile activity of skeletal muscle.  These effects make ultrasound an excellent preparatory modality to joint and soft tissue mobilization. Ultrasound may also be used on a nonthermal setting for tissues that would not benefit from a thermal effect (acute tendonitis).  Cavitation and acoustic streaming increase cell membrane and vascular wall permeability and increases protein synthesis which can help with healing.
Electrical Stimulation	The use of micro and milliamperes of electricity which is modulated into various wave forms and types of electrical stimulation.  This is most useful in pain control and muscle re-education.  With pain control, the patient will feel a comfortable tingling sensation which helps to block the sensation of pain.  This effect may be felt for a few hours and in some cases until the next day.  With muscle re-education, the electrical stimulation actually tightens the muscle needing to be re-educated.  The patient works with the stimulation in order to re-educate their neuromuscular system.  This is most helpful after knee surgery when the quadriceps muscle doesn't want to contract and with injury to a nerve or muscle in which there is disuse.
Moist Heat	Helps relax tight muscles and provides increased blood flow.
Cryotherapy / Cold Therapy	Used for decreasing pain and to keep swelling under control.  best used for acute pain and peripheral joints.
Cervical and Pelvic Traction	A traction table is most often used.  Mechanical traction may be helpful with decreasing upper or lower extremity pain which is referred from a pinched nerve in the cervical spine (neck) or lumbar spine (low back).
TENS
Phonophoresis	The process of using sound waves with ultrasound to drive in a steroid (10 percent hydrocortisone cream) to decrease inflammation and help promote healing.
Iontophoresis	The process of using a low dose DC current to drive in a medication.  Dexamethasone and Lidocaine are most often used.