ADJUSTMENTS

Spinal adjustment refers to the method of physically changing the function of joints in the spine. Correcting the function of these joints helps to remove interference to the nervous system – and that is the real point of chiropractic. Your nervous system regulates and controls everything else in your body. Removing nerve interference and maintaining optimum nerve function is vitally important. Your health and active lifestyle depend on it!

Adjustments also means treating joints and muscles outside the spine. I adjust any joint in the body when needed and desired (such as elbows, knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, feet, and jaws). Patients often find such adjustments to their extremities helpful, as poorly functioning joints throughout the body are often the cause of many pain problems.


EXERCISE / REHAB THERAPY

Say the word “exercise” and most people cringe or nod their head and admit that they should be doing more. My exercise programs are tailored just for you. I will show you specific stretches and give you a personal home exercise program to aid in correcting posture and regaining spinal balance. We will go at your pace. We may start with small and simple stretches or design a custom gym program for you to follow right away. It just depends on where you are physically and mentally.

I won’t nag you about exercise, but I will encourage you and motivate you to start somewhere – where you are most comfortable.

Exercise is a very important part of getting well and staying there. It is a significant part of my care and is a proven method for raising your overall health.


MASSAGE / MUSCLE WORK

When it is needed, I provide selective, specific massage and muscular trigger point therapy techniques. These are done only in 15-minute increments. I keep the therapy to a specific area. Specific massage reduces the trigger points (knots) and increases vascular and lymphatic flow, while aiding to increase range of motion.

Massage is an important aspect of care, as muscles can become a repository for chemicals and waste products. Clearing out these unwanted chemicals increases muscular flexibility, decreases fatigue, and improves your quality of life.

I provide this service myself and employ no massage therapist in the office. If we determine that you require a longer massage therapy session, I do refer to two certified and professional massage therapists in Petaluma.


CRYOTHERAPY (ICE PACK) & TOPICAL PAIN RELIEVER

I recommend the use of ice (applied for 10-15 minutes at a time) when a patient is experiencing an acute and significantly painful condition. Ice may be recommended for home therapy as well when appropriate.

Many people, including some doctors, become confused when determining when to use ice or heat. This is the guideline:

Ice an injury for the first 48-72 hours. After that time, depending on any remaining visible signs of swelling, ice may be alternated with heat at each application.

Heat may be applied to a chronic muscular problem, or after a heavy workout or other demanding physical activity when there is no acute injury.

A topical analgesic which I commonly use is Biofreeze. This is applied to the skin after massage or muscular trigger point therapy. After many years of experimenting with topical analgesics, I have found Biofreeze to be number one in patient satisfaction.


NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING

Food is the source of nutrients for our bodies. Our bodies are sensitive and complex mechanisms. Much like a finely-tuned racecar, our bodies require top fuel to operate at peak performance. Our bodies also need top fuel to prevent disease.

The counseling I provide in this area is related to food choices and behavioral eating. I DO NOT SELL SUPPLEMENTS. My educated opinion is simple. We are able to obtain what our bodies need from our food choices, provided our choices are of foods densely packed with nutrients. I can help you discover these foods and develop a plan for adhering to healthy eating.

The only time I recommend supplementation is when the body is clearly in need of a boost. This would be the exception rather than the rule.


ORTHOTICS

An orthotic is a stabilizer which is custom made for your foot. You may wonder, "What does that have to do with my spine?" In many cases, EVERYTHING.

The foundation of the spine is the foot. The arches of your feet provide a vital foundational support for your knees, hips and spine. Have you noticed that your foot arches are shaped like the gentle arch in a bridge? Just like a bridge which supports vehicle weight, your arches support the load of your body weight.

If your arches are fallen, the balance and postural support of the spine is compromised. This can lead to foot, knee, hip and spinal pain, especially lower back pain. Sometimes it is necessary to support the arch that is fallen, to help corrective spinal care be fully effective.

I work with Foot Levelers, a specialized lab in Virginia, which creates custom arch support orthotics. They are a nationally recognized leader in the science of arch support. If you need this type of support, we “cast” your feet using a special process and Foot Levelers lab technicians make a custom orthotic especially for you.


KIDS & TEENS

People are sometimes surprised that chiropractors treat kids, too.

Nothing could be more logical.

Kids have spines and joints. Kids often have more bumps, falls, and sports injuries than do adults. The birth process for a newborn can be very physically traumatic and can be a source of spinal misalignment and nerve interference.

Babies may develop colic or earaches. I have successfully treated these problems through the use of gentle adjustments. Teens are often involved in school athletics, and I have seen and treated many who had misalignments resulting from sports injuries.

I encourage parents to have their children checked for posture, balance, and spinal alignment problems. Detecting and correcting the little misalignments in children while they are still young and active is a more logical approach than waiting until they are adults and have chronic pain and spinal decay from years of neglect.


PREGNANCY

While a Doctor of Chiropractic does not act as a primary care physician for the expectant mother, a chiropractor may provide significant support during her pregnancy.

Maintaining spinal balance and alignment while hormonal changes are occurring over the 40-week term is very important to mother and unborn child. Chiropractic is a relief for the aches and pains of pregnancy, especially during the last trimester.

Through regular chiropractic adjustments, a less painful and healthier pregnancy is possible. After giving birth, women also find that chiropractic care helps them with any misalignments that may have occurred during labor.