Chiropractic
Chiropractic means “to do by hand.” It is the art and science of spine and extremity adjustments (manipulation) and is a natural treatment that does not require medication or surgery. Chiropractors address the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of nerve, muscle, and skeletal system disorders and their effects on whole body health. Chiropractors receive Doctors of Chiropractic degrees, where their education, in content and hours, is very similar to medical doctors. We use adjustments to the spinal column and other joints to effect changes in the nervous system. These changes, in turn, help reduce muscle spasm and inflammation.
Our office uses multiple techniques to adjust our patients. Our primary technique is called diversified adjusting, the most common hands on treatment. We also use low-force techniques when appropriate.
Services
Acupuncture
Acupuncture began in ancient China over 2000 years ago. It balances the body's energy flow into healthier patterns and is used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and health conditions. In most cases patients find acupuncture comfortable and relaxing. Many patients report feeling like they had a massage afterward. Contrary to hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are very fine, and therefore not as painful.
Acupuncture has also shown to be helpful with anxiety. The choice to use acupuncture, or any other treatment in our office, is always based on a dialogue between patient and doctor. There may be many reasons we may recommend it, and patients often come into our practice requesting it.
Rehabilitation Modalities
Rehabilitation is the restoration of an injured person to the level of physical abilities they had prior to the issue or injury. Our office utilizes several different modalities to achieve this, including electrical, thermal, and mechanical. These modalities are used to relieve pain, improve circulation, and reduce muscle spasm. In our office we use heat, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound, as well as gua sha, cupping, and a wide variety of taping techniques designed to improve function. We take into account activities of daily living and instruct our patients on proper sleeping positions and ergonomic training.
Furthermore, exercise therapy and home exercise instruction are fundamental to Dr. Garfinkel’s treatments. Exercise enhances the effectiveness of chiropractic and acupuncture by increasing blood supply to the injured area and promoting healing. Additionally, when the patient is involved with their own care, they tend to recover faster.