Alternative Therapies
In addition to regular chiropractic treatments, our clinicians also provide alternative techniques such as Graston Technique®, Functional Integrated Acupuncture/Needling, Active Isolated Stretching, Muscle Release, and Shockwave Therapy.
Along with chiropractic treatment, these techniques can be administered to help improve recovery outcome.
Types of Alternative Therapies
Graston Technique ®
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a targeted means of treating specific injuries. It is also a valuable tool in bringing balance and wellness to your life. We offer Functional Integrated Acupuncture treatments right here at the clinic.
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)
Muscle Release Technique
Muscle Release Techniques is a movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
Shockwave Therapy
Graston Technique®
The Graston Technique® is a highly effective method of treatment for soft tissue injuries.
When normal tissue is damaged, it heals in a haphazard pattern: like a messy knot. This is called ‘scarring’ and results in a restricted range of motion. Many people will also experience pain, as well as that “crackling” or “grating” feeling when the scar tissue is rubbed.
The patented stainless steel instruments used for the Graston Technique ® have been uniquely designed to release (break down) that tight and restricted soft tissue—and helps encourage the tissue to heal in its healthy pattern again.
This technique works so effective that results are typically noticed by the 4th treatment, and full benefits are usually seen around the 12th to 14th treatment. Patients are also able to take part in their usual daily activities during this time.
Still looking for more information, view our common questions to find out more.
MOST COMMON CONDITIONS THAT ARE TREATED
- Achilles Tendinitis
- Ankle Sprains
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Cervical Pain
- Low Back Pain
- Tennis Elbow
- Fibromyalgia
- Hip Pain
- Hamstring Strain
- Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Wrist Tendonitis
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a very targeted means of treating specific injuries. It is also a valuable tool in bringing balance and wellness to your life. We offer leading Calgary acupuncture treatments, coupled with Chinese Medicine.
Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most commonly-used medical procedures in the world and has proven benefits for recovering from illness and injury. It can help alleviate symptoms of arthritis, sciatica, back pain, bursitis and neuropathy, among many other conditions.
The technique involves inserting thin, disposable needles into specific acupuncture points throughout the body. The needles may be manipulated by the hands or by an electrical stimulation. Most people find acupuncture relaxing and experience minimal discomfort.
Sessions usually last between 15 and 30 minutes. Relief may be immediate or occur within a few hours or days following treatment.
Still looking for more information, view our common questions to find out more.
MOST COMMON CONDITIONS THAT ARE TREATED
General Wellness and Health Maintenance
- Low energy and fatigue
- Anxiety, Stress, Depression
- Insomnia, Poor memory, concentration
- High blood pressure
Pain, Orthopedic, and Neurological Disorder
- Headache, Migraine
- Arthritis
- Bell’s Palsy, Stroke paralysis, Peripheral neuropathy
- Pre and Post surgery support
- Back pain
Reproductive Health, Fertility
- Menstrual irregularities
- PMS
- Endometriosis,
- Menopause
- Female and Male infertility
- Hormone imbalances, PCOS
Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Diarrhea, Constipation, Hemorrhoids
- Heartburn, Bloating, Gas
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, Colitis
Endocrine, Metabolic and Immune System Disorders
- Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Chemotherapy/Radiation side effects
- Diabetes, Anemia
Respiratory Disorders
- Asthma, Allergies
- Low immunity, frequent cold
- Chronic sinusitis
Active Isolated Stretching
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) trains your body and mind to accept and remember a greater range of motion in a safe and controlled manner. It also greatly improves flexibility and strength of muscles you might not usually engage.
BENEFITS OF ACTIVE ISOLATED STRETCHING
- Improve preparation for athletic activity and enhance performance in conditioning
- Optimized muscle and tendon range of motion up to 1.6 times resting length
- Facilitate the removal of metabolic waste products like carbon dioxide and lactic acid
- Reduce the risk of muscle, tendon, ligament and joint injuries
- Reduce postural tightness due to aging
- Rehabilitate muscle, tendon and ligament injuries
- Facilitate the flow of lymphatic fluid
HOW ISOLATED STRETCHING WORKS
When your body feels as though a particular movement is going to hurt it, a protective mechanism called the stretch (mytatic) reflex kicks in. This stretch reflex is normally triggered in the muscle at about 3 seconds, so by holding stretches for under 3 seconds, the muscle’s protective reflex to contract isn’t triggered and it has the chance to stretch to its full length. Repetition of the movement trains the body and mind to accept this new range of motion without signaling the stretch reflex.
Muscle Release Technique (MRT)
Muscle Release Technique is a movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
Muscle Release Techniques (MRT) is known to help treat a wide variety of common conditions (detailed below) quickly and permanently. These conditions all have one important thing in common; they are often a result of overused muscles and the build up of scar tissue.
THREE WAYS MUSCLES ARE OVERUSED
- Tears/rips occur from an injury to the muscle
- Small tears in the muscle fiber happen from repetitive use of a muscle
- Your muscle is held in tension for long periods of time (like bad posture, or working at a computer). When the muscle is held tight, blood can’t get to all parts of the muscle; muscle not receiving oxygen dies.
COMMON CONDITIONS MUSCLE RELEASE TECHNIQUES CAN HELP
- Headaches
- Back Pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Shin splints
- Shoulder pain
- Sciatica
- Plantar fasciitis
- Knee problems
- Tennis elbow
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment that uses high powered sound waves to treat orthopedic conditions.
By using high-powered sound waves to stimulate blood flow to the affected area and break up scar tissue or calcification within tendons and ligaments, your body is able to continue the healing process, resulting in the reversal of inflammation, dissolution of calcium build-up, and stimulation of collagen. The result is improved healing and enhanced functionality with a significant reduction in pain.
BENEFITS OF SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
If you suffer from any of many pain conditions conditions – or are an athlete looking to return to training sooner, Shockwave Therapy maybe your best option.
- Quicker recovery
- Fewer treatments (3-5 treatments)
- Fewer re-occurrences
- Fewer side effects
- Treats the source of the issue not just masks symptoms!
- Avoids cortisone
- Avoids surgery
HOW SHOCKWAVE THERAPY WORKS
Two things happen when you receive Shockwave Therapy. First, the high-powered sound waves help to break up scar tissue or calcification that has penetrated your tendons and ligaments. Meanwhile, these sound waves also help stimulate blood flow to the affected area, which helps your body fight inflammation, dissolve the calcium build-up that is breaking up quicker, and stimulate collagen…which means relief from pain for you. The treatment intensity may vary depending upon what is being treated, and can be modified to the patient’s tolerance. It is an outpatient treatment that does not require any anesthesia and only requires a few minutes to perform.
Two things happen when you receive Shockwave Therapy. First, the high-powered sound waves help to break up scar tissue or calcification that has penetrated your tendons and ligaments. Meanwhile, these sound waves also help stimulate blood flow to the affected area, which helps your body fight inflammation, dissolve the calcium build-up that is breaking up quicker, and stimulate collagen…which means relief from pain for you. The treatment intensity may vary depending upon what is being treated, and can be modified to the patient’s tolerance. It is an outpatient treatment that does not require any anesthesia and only requires a few minutes to perform.
What to
Expect
Your First Visit
Your first visit is dedicated to determining what your health goals are, and how you can best achieve them in the most effective and efficient way possible.
We want to know what your challenges have been, and where you would like to be. We will work with you to develop a chiropractic care program specific to your needs.
Why you’re here
We want to know more than just your symptoms. We want to know how these symptoms are impacting your day-to-day life.
Your Health History
We will discuss your health history and any current injuries.
Create a plan
You will work with your chiropractor to develop a treatment plan that supports your goals and your lifestyle too.
First Treatment
You will receive your first treament during your appointment.
Every time you visit us
PRIVACY
Your visits will always take place in a private room. Your case is kept strictly confidential, unless it is determined by you and your chiropractor that you can benefit from treatment with another practitioner here at the Chiropractic Health Centre.
COMFORT
RESPECT
Your trust in us is our most important commodity. All treatment plans, health choices, and treatments in progress are designed with your priorities in mind. It’s all about you!
Common Questions
Click on the questions below to find our answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Graston Technique ®
What is the Graston Technique ®?
How It Works
- Separates and breaks down the mess of scarred tissue, and stretches the connective tissue and muscle fibers out into a healthy position.
- Increases skin temperature, which warms the tissue up and promotes healing.
- Triggers the tissue to heal in the proper holding pattern.
- Alters spinal reflux activity (facilitated segment).
- Increases the rate and amount of blood flow to and from the area.
- Increases cellular activity in the region, including fibroblasts (type of cell found in connective tissue that secretes collagen proteins; these are used to maintain a structural framework for many tissues and play an important role in healing wounds) and mast cells (cells that play an important protective role as well, being intimately involved in wound healing).
- Increases histamine response secondary to mast cell activity (this is triggered with inflammation of the injured tissue).
How does scar tissue form? Why is scar tissue a problem?
- Your muscle tears from an injury.
- Repetitive use of the muscle (playing a sport, for example) results in small tears in the muscle fiber.
- Your muscle is held in tension for long periods of time (like bad posture, or working at a computer). Because the muscle is held tight, blood can’t get to all parts of the muscle; muscle not receiving oxygen dies.
Scar tissue forms in a haphazard pattern unlike the other tissue, and therefore gets in the way. This diminishes your range of motion and flexibility; often, scar tissue will prevent you from achieving the same movements you did before your injury.
How are the instruments used?
Is the Graston Technique ® painful?
Will treatment affect my day to day activities?
How many Graston Technique ® treatments are needed before seeing results?
Will I have homework to do after receiving the Graston Technique ® treatments?
Is the Graston Technique ® usually coupled with other therapies?
- Manual manipulation/adjustments
- Ultrasound therapy
- Assisted stretching
These therapies are used in conjunction with the Graston Technique ® because they support tissue healing in the proper pattern.
Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Does acupuncture hurt?
Is acupuncture safe?
How much do acupuncture treatments cost?
Functional Integrated Acupuncture treatments are $90.00.
Does insurance cover acupuncture treatments?
How many acupuncture treatments will I need?
Treatments are carried out on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Many patients start to see results within 1-3 treatments – others may experience a cumulative effect after more treatments. Treatment time depends on many factors including your age, general health, lifestyle and severity of your main concern. Being compliant with any lifestyle suggestions your acupuncturist has recommended will help to speed up your healing process.
Is acupuncture beneficial for healthy people?
Still have questions or concerns? Feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you!
Request an Appointment
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