Technique

Dr. D’Agostino employs different adjusting and adjunctive therapy techniques with patients, sometimes these techniques are used in their pure form but often we combine a variety of techniques with each patient. While we find that the majority of our patients respond to Diversified, or traditional chiropractic care, many patients have special considerations that require a different approach. Below is a listing of adjusting techniques that we utilize and their definitions, most of which were provided by the American Chiropractic Association. If you have questions regarding a specific technique, feel free to contact us, many times there is more than one name for a specific or similar technique. If you require a specific technique that we do not provide we may be able to refer you to a practitioner who will be able to accommodate your special request.

Chiropractic – Chiropractic returns the body to balance through adjustments of the spine and joints, normalizing joint motion, reducing nerve interference, relieving stress and restoring normal body function. Whenever there is a system containing many movable parts, a complex balance is necessary between those parts. Chiropractors influence the body's nervous system and natural defense mechanisms in order to alleviate pain and improve general health. Because of its effectiveness in treating back problems, headaches and other injuries and traumas, chiropractic has become the second largest primary health care field in the world.

Diversified or Full Spine Specific (FSS) – This a widely used type of chiropractic manipulation / adjustment that includes most of the procedures taught at chiropractic schools. This technique is the most commonly used of all chiropractic techniques and is the one probably most familiar to patients. The Diversified manipulation / adjustment entails a high-velocity, low amplitude thrust that usually results in a cavitation of a joint (quick, shallow thrusts that cause the popping noise often associated with a chiropractic manipulation / adjustment). As the name implies, the Diversified Technique can be used to treat many of the joints in the body.

Extremity Manipulation / Adjusting – This is the application of chiropractic manipulation / Adjustment to joints other than those of the spine, i.e., shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand/finger, hip, knee, ankle/foot/toe. Examples of conditions treated by extremities manipulation adjustment: carpel tunnel syndrome, gait or posture-related problems.

Activator Method – This is a hand-held, spring-loaded instrument-based manipulation / adjustment protocol. Instead of the manipulation / adjusting forces being delivered by hand, force is generated with the small appliance that delivers a lighter, but quicker thrust than can be delivered by hand. Activator can be used as a primary protocol for all patients or a selective method for patients who may not desire manual manipulation / adjustment or where manual manipulation / adjustment may be contraindicated.

Gonstead Technique – This is a specific chiropractic technique and is a variation of Diversified technique that utilizes manipulation / adjustment by hand that usually results in joint cavitation. X-ray analysis, palpation, and temperature gradient studies may be used in clinical descion-making (i.e. what segments to manipulate /adjust).

Cox Flexion/Distraction – This is a specific chiropractic technique that uses mechanical and hands-on manipulation /adjustment utilizing a special table where the spine is tractioned and flexed forward. This technique is primarily utilized to treat cervical and lumbar disc herniations, non-disc spinal disorders and to increase mobility of the spinal joints.

Thompson Technique – This is a specific chiropractic method and is a variation of the diversified technique that uses a special table with several segments called drop pieces. These segments can be cocked up a fraction of an inch, so when the thrust is delivered, the table will drop this fraction of an inch. The drop pieces assist the thrust while minimizing the force used for the manipulation / adjustment. Cavitation of the joint may or may not occur.

Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) – This is a specific chiropractic technique that uses triangular- shaped blocks usually placed under the pelvis of the prone patient to treat problems identified in the low back. Low force, slow pressures types of manipulation / adjustments may be used to address joint problems identified in the skull. SOT may be used as an exclusive technique or as an adjunct method of patient management.

NIMMO/Receptor Tonus/Trigger Point Therapy/Neuromuscular Technique(NMT) – This is a specific chiropractic technique based on the presumption that muscles are responsible for causing abnormal joint function. NIMMO addresses muscular problems, usually called trigger points, by applying pressure on the point(s) for variable amounts of time (usually a few seconds) thus allowing the muscle to relax and acquire its normal length. This procedure allows the bone(s0 to which the muscle(s) attach to move normally to restore proper joint function.

Logan Basic Technique – This is a specific chiropractic technique in which light pressure is applied to the sacrum. Light force is concurrently applied to various spinal levels to reduce pain/ symptoms and restore muscle balance.

Neuromuscular Reeducation™ (NMR) – A hands-ons technique to evaluate and functionally treat the soft tissue injuries that occur via trauma, repetitive motion, or chronic postural fatigue. Soft tissue adhesions form whenever damage and inflammation have occurred, these adhesions limit both strength and range of motion. NMR utilizes deep manual pressure on the adhesion while taking the muscle through s functional range of motion, to break up the adhesion and restore full range of motion.

Ultrasound – A therapeutic modality that utilizes high frequency sound waves to produce pulsing / micromassage and deep heating effects in the body particularly muscle tissue.

Electric Stimulation – electrical impulses applied to the nerves/muscles using pads that conduct the impulses through the skin, producing a tingling sensation. The treatment is used to increase circulation, decrease pain and muscle spasm and facilitate healing of injured soft tissue.

Interferential Current – A class of Electric Stimulation defined as a physiotherapeutic modality consisting of two medium frequency currents that intersect deep within the body and in doing so create a third current.

High Volt Galvanic – A class of Electric Stimulation that provides direct current creating an electrical field over the treated area that, theoretically, changes blood flow. The positive pad behaves like ice, causing reduced circulation to the area under the pad and reduction in swelling. The negative pad behaves like heat, causing increased circulation, reportedly speeding healing. This type of stimulation is gaining widespread use for wound healing, edema reduction and pain relief. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Diabetic Foot are two major areas of use. Devices in this class are characterized by a unique twin- peak monophasic waveform with very short pulse duration (microseconds) and a therapeutic voltage greater than 100 volts. The combination of very short pulse duration and high peak current, yet low total current per second ( Microcurrent) allows relatively comfortable stimulation.

Massage therapy – A process of manual manipulation of the body’s muscular and soft tissue structure through a variety of techniques ranging form relaxation to clinical and therapeutic applications. The benefits are increased range of motion and flexibility, stress reduction, and improved circulation helping to achieve an overall feeling of well-being. Massage is a general term covering a variety of disciplines for the manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes - Swedish, Shiatsu, trigger point, neuromuscular - with roots in both Eastern and Western cultures. Massage improves the function of the body's connective tissues and/or muscles. Among conditions alleviated by massage are whiplash, low back and neck pain, and degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis. It involves the practice of kneading or otherwise manipulating muscles or other soft tissue with the intent of increasing circulation and detoxification, reducing physical and emotional stress and increasing general wellness.

Myofascial Release – This hands-on technique seeks to free the body from the grip of tight fascia, or connective tissue, thus restoring normal alignment and function and reducing pain. Using their hands, therapists apply mild, sustained pressure to gently stretch and soften the fascia. Myofascial release is used to treat neck and back pain, headaches, recurring sports injuries and scoliosis, among other conditions.

Hydrocollator – Application of moist heat to increase circulation and relax musculature, will decrease the perception of pain.

Cryotherapy – Application of cold packs to decrease circulation and edema in tissues, will decrease the perception pf pain.