Chiropractic

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are trained as primary care providers. Chiropractic physicians also are trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.”   The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition. 

Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate.  Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.

Physical Therapy:

Chiropractic rehabilitation involves the restoration of proper joint function of the spine or extremities, and the strengthening of supporting muscles and soft tissues. This will usually involve specific spinal adjustments, combined with a program of stretching, resistance training, and exercises to improve muscle tone. Some patients receive a set of simple exercises or “maneuvers” they can do at home. Other types of injuries will require the use of specialized equipment to isolate and strengthen specific areas of the spine. Dr. Peck utilizes the Synergy Rehab System in his office to accomplish this.

Chiropractic Techniques:

Dr. Peck is well trained in many chiropractic techniques. Dr. Peck is an "old school" chiropractor who practices hands on techniques. He does not employ any instrument adjusting techniques. The most popular techniques he offers:

Diversified (Standard in Chiropractic)

Gonstead

Thompson (drops)

Cox (flexion distraction)

What can I expect on my first visit?

The first thing a chiropractic physician will do is ask you about the health complaints you are concerned with. The doctor will complete a complete medical history including any prior illnesses, surgical history, medications, traumatic history, family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job, and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the best way to go about treating the problem.

A physical examination will be performed in accordance with your doctor’s clinical judgment, which may include x-rays, laboratory analysis and other diagnostic procedures. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the chiropractic physician in evaluating your problem.

The Cox Technique is an advanced and gentle chiropractic adjustment for neck and back pain. Unlike surgery, it is a conservative and non-invasive form of treatment. Indeed, it drastically reduces the ill effects, risks and high costs of surgery and has often proven more effective. A specially crafted partially motorized table allows for a wide range of decompression movements. Further the doctor is always in full control of the table. The Cox technique has become the treatment of choice for most neck and low back pain, and after nearly forty years of research, testing and practice it is one of the most effective treatments available.

FACT: The Cox Decompression Technique is a less invasive and safer substitute for surgery for the 95% of low back pain patients that don’t require surgical procedures.

What does the Cox Technique treat?

• Post-Operative Failed Back Surgical Syndromes

• Herniated, bulging and ruptured discs

• Leg and hip pain due to sciatica

• Spinal stenosis

• Degenerated discs

• Neck and arm pain

Cox Flexion /Distraction Table

What other services do you offer besides chiropractic?

Our office offers a variety of alternative health treatments, including acupuncture, auriculotherapy, clinical nutrition, physical rehabilitation and massage therapy.

Types of Chiropractic Care:

There are five ways our patients use chiropractic care. Most people start with relief care. Those who discontinue without entering the corrective stage often discover their problem returns. Maintenance care involves periodic visits designed to preserve your progress. Preventive care is similar, but the intent is early detection, so small problems are caught early on. And wellness care is for those who want to be their best. They come in when they’re feeling great because they want to stay that way. We offer you the best care to suit your needs and then let you decide how you want to use chiropractic to reach your health goals