Dr. Wright draws from a number of techniques to give her patients the most up to date, clinically relevant care that physical medicine has to offer. She most commonly utilizes Diversified, Drop table, and Activator adjustive techniques. As an adjunct to joint manipulation, she also utilizes soft tissue techniques and physical therapy modalities including:
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Photobiomodulation
Muscle release technique
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
Kinesiotape/ Rocktape
Rogue Mobility Flossing
Whole Body Vibration
Cupping
Strength and mobility exercises
When joint mobilization is coupled with soft tissue mobilization to provide non-invasive, drug-free health care, freedom of movement is restored, neuromuscular and sensory pathways are affected, local inflammation is reduced, and pain is decreased. This hands-on type of care is safe and effective for all ages, and can help elevate weekend warriors, elite athletes, and everyone in between.
(See below for explanation of techniques)
Diversified adjusting is the most commonly used chiropractic technique and the one most familiar to patients. This form of manipulation involves a high velocity, low-amplitude (quick and shallow) thrust delivered by hand and sometimes with assistance from a table or wedge. This typically results in the cavitation of a joint (the "popping" noise often associated with an adjustment, caused by the movement of gas within the joint’s synovial fluid). As the name implies, the Diversified Technique is used to treat numerous joints of the body and is effective at improving joint function and range.
Drop technique utilizes an adjustable table that can be quickly released under the area of the spine to be adjusted. This technique uses the weight of the patient, along with gravity and a controlled thrust, to apply a force to the joint to normalize movement.
Activator technique utilizes a hand-held, spring-loaded instrument to make an adjustment. Instead of the forces used in adjustment being delivered by hand, force is generated by a small appliance delivering a lighter, but quicker, thrust. Activator technique is most often used as a selective method for patients who may not desire manual manipulation or where manual manipulation may be contraindicated. This technique is also effective and very comfortable for children and infants.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation/ Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (TENS/ NMES) is the non-invasive elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses. The impulses are generated by a device and delivered through electrodes on the skin in proximity to the muscles to be stimulated. The impulses mimic the action potential coming from the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract. It also acts as an “internal massage” to the musculature by stimulating contractions to increase blood flow and fluid exchange, which delivers nutrition to cells in the form of oxygen-rich blood flow. This serves as a complimentary technique for pain reduction, a rehabilitation and preventive tool for partially or totally immobilized areas, a testing tool for evaluating neuromuscular function, and a post-exercise recovery tool for athletes. Read more.
Photobiomodulation is a a non-invasive treatment that uses energy in the form of light to reduce pain, inflammation, and promote improved function in the body at a cellular level. This low-level red and near-infrared light is applied to the tissue in the affected area and is posited to stimulate the cells through mitochondrial enhancement. This therapy is safe and painless and can be used as an intervention to treat a variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, and neuropathic pain. The device used in this office is the Joovv. More research is available here.
Muscle Release Technique (MRT) is a soft tissue movement-based technique for injured muscle and high-tension tissue or adhesions, that aren’t moving freely as they should. By applying external tension to muscles in a shortened position and then lengthening the tissue, dysfunctional fibers and range of motion are restored.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is designed to break up muscle adhesions, reorient and align muscle fibers, and stimulate localized inflammation, subsequently stimulating the body’s repair process and allowing muscles to reach their full range of motion. Using a small, stainless steel tool, light friction is applied to the muscle site to reduce adhesions that have built up over time due to poor posture, biomechanics, ergonomics, or with injury.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a stretching technique used to enhance both active and passive range of motion in order to improve motor performance and aid in rehabilitation. PNF is the optimal stretching method when the aim is to increase range of motion. Generally it involves a shortening contraction of opposing muscles to stretch the target muscle. This is followed by an isometric contraction of the target muscle. PNF can be used to supplement daily stretching and to make quick gains in range of motion helping athletes improve performance.
Kinesiotape (Rocktape) is an elastic cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive that is used with the intent of treating pain and dysfunction from athletic injuries and a variety of other physical impairments. It mechanically decompresses the skin and underlying tissue by creating a mild lifting effect on the skin which allows for a measurable increase in space between the fascial layers. This not only helps to reduce pressure on free nerve endings in the tissue that are responsible for nociception (pain), but helps improve circulation and reduce swelling and local inflammation buildup. It also seems to aid in neuromuscular feedback loops by stimulating a variety of sensory nerves in the skin, affecting proprioception. This means the tape contributes to the brain’s sense of joint position and how the body is moving through space. This can improve function and help reduce compensation elsewhere in the body, promoting better coordination of the surrounding musculature. It differs from traditional athletic taping which is used primarily to limit movement, because it encourages movement. It can be used for almost anything, from sprained ankles or whiplash, to inflammation, carpal tunnel syndrome or low back pain. There are even methods to help with discomfort related to pregnancy. It can be worn for up to five days and is waterproof.
Rogue Mobility Flossing aims to improve joint range of motion through tissue compression. This is achieved by wrapping the dysfunctional joint or tissue needing mobilizing with a tight band while the patient performs functional or sport-specific movements. The band compression pushes blood and inflammatory agents out of irritated and congested tissue and joints and then re-perfuses the area with a flushing of blood that restores joint mechanics and helps to release tight or previously injured tissue.