Physiological Effects

• Chiropractic Care

• At Body Dynamix Chiropractic and Performance, we use an adjusting style commonly referred to as “Diversified.”  First, an analysis of affected area is performed. This can initially involve a history, in some cases X-ray pictures, orthopedic tests, and physical palpation.  The chiropractic portion of the treatment may involve joint mobilization or joint manipulation.  Joint mobilization involves taking the joint through normal anatomical motion to increase that joint’s range of motion or to draw more blood are neurological input to the area.  Joint manipulation is a specific manual thrust through the joint which may produce a slight “popping” sound from the shift of gas in the joint space.  This shift of gas gains range of motion in that area almost instantly.  It has also been shown to decrease spasm of muscles in the area, increase effective blood flow, and increase neurological communication.  Many studies have been done about the effectiveness of the chiropractic adjustment (joint manipulation).  
  
  Here are a few:

• This report concluded that spinal adjustment applied by chiropractors is more effective than alternate treatments for lower back pain, and that there would be significant cost-saving to the health care system if more management of lower back pain was transferred from physicians to chiropractors.
• Manga P, Angus D, Papadopoulos C, Swan W. The Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain, Commissioned by the OCA. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, 1993.

• Recently, a major four-year study in the United States, published in the American Medical Association journal The Archives of Internal Medicine, concluded that benefit plan members with chiropractic coverage returned to work faster, had lower claim costs and experienced fewer interventions such as MRIs compared to plan members without chiropractic benefits.
• Legoretta AP, Metz RD, et al. Comparative Analysis of Individuals With and Without Chiropractic Coverage. Arch Int Med 2004;164:1985-1992

• Similarly, a United Kingdom study published in the British Medical Journal concluded that adding spinal manipulation to current "best care" in general practice was effective and cost-effective for patients with low back pain.
• United Kingdom back pain exercise and manipulation (U.K. BEAM) randomized trial and cost-effectiveness of physical treatment for back pain in primary care. British Medical Journal, Nov. 19, 2004

• Soft Tissue Mobilization’s (Graston Technique and ART)

• Throughout the day muscles constantly extend and contract within a normal range. In some cases however, muscles can over-exert themselves causing harm.  This can happen in a single event (like a sprain, or muscle pull) or over time occurring as microtrauma (like tendonitis or postural dysfunction).  When a muscle is inflamed or in spasm the space between the skin and muscle is compressed, resulting in a restriction of range of motion and a constriction to the flow of lymphatic fluid. This also compresses the pain receptors beneath the skin, which in turn sends pain signals to the brain, causing a pain response in the area of trauma.  This type of pain is known as myalgia, or muscular pain.  At Body Dynamix you will receive care geared toward relieving that pain and restoring normal function of the tissue by breaking up the adhesions that have formed and reducing the inflammation in the area.

• Studies have been shown there is a direct effect on:
• Increased number of fibroblasts (tissue regenerators) in the area
• Rearrangement of the tissue (scar tissue to new tissue)
• Increased range of motion
• Increased overall strength
• Increased joint function

• Modalities
• E-Stim:  A passive modality geared toward pain relief, edema reduction, and tissue regeneration.
• Ultrasound:  A passive modality that uses sound waves to increase blood flow, loosen scar tissue, increase cellular permeability, and to decrease pain.
• Mechanical Traction:  A table that allows us to take pressure off the low back by gently pulling the lower body away from the upper body creating a negative pressure inside the lumbar discs.  This allows for the opportunity in having a lumbar disc bulge, prolapse, or even herniation in some cases to reduce in size.  Many studies have documented the effectiveness of mechanical traction in reducing the symptoms associated with disc problem.