Displaying items by tag: pain relief

Chiropractic medicine and physical therapy often go hand in hand when it comes to health and wellness. Many people utilize these types of alternative treatments and therapies to resolve chronic pain, injuries, and other problems they may be facing. At our chiropractic office, we get a ton of recurring questions from clients new and old about the connections between physical therapy and the chiropractic practice. Should you get a chiropractic adjustment and physical therapy manipulation the same day? Would one therapy offer more benefits over the other? As a top option for chiropractic and physical therapy in Denver, we wanted to clear the air on these two topics and how they’re related.

Chiropractic Care

If you’re experiencing chronic back pain or bodily pain, then a chiropractic adjustment could be exactly what you need to find pain relief. Chiropractic care involves the subtle manipulation of your bones and joints. Your chiropractor will expertly adjust your neck, spine, and other joints to promote proper alignment within the body. Chiropractic adjustments are not aggressive or rough by any means, but they are often quick. In fact, most chiropractic adjustments do not last longer than 15 minutes. This manipulation often requires fast, precise movements.

Physical Therapy Modalities

The general public is often more familiar with what they can expect at a massage appointment - more so than they are with what to expect at a chiropractor appointment. When you receive a massage, your therapist works with the soft tissue to break down edema and other aggravations that may be a source of your pain. This is done through deep, long strokes that break down the build up of fluid or tissue in the body.

While a chiropractic adjustment can help alleviate pain, sometimes it just isn’t enough to address the underlying factors and causes of your pain. In some cases, your pain may be derived from the soft tissues of your muscles, which cannot be properly addressed by chiropractic care. That’s where physical therapy can come in handy.

At Ideal Health Chiropractic, we additionally offer a number of physical therapy modalities to pair with our chiropractic care. These modalities include:

• Ultrasound therapy/Electric stimulation therapy
• Cupping therapy
• Foam rollers
• Handheld massagers
• And more

These physical therapies are commonly used to address the underlying problems in your soft tissues. And these modalities have been shown to be effective treatments for a number of conditions and pain problems.

Should You Seek Chiropractic And Physical Therapy In Denver?

Clearly both chiropractic care and physical therapy have a lot of benefits to offer you. And there is honestly no reason why you should prefer one treatment over the other. In fact, when you merge both therapies together, you’ll reap the maximum benefits possible from both treatments.

For instance, let’s assume you receive a chiropractic adjustment and e-stim therapy in quick succession. In this scenario, your skeletal system would become properly aligned once more and the pain you endure will be alleviated thanks to the electrical currents delivered directly to your soft tissue. This is essentially a one-two punch to boost your well-being and address your pain problems right at the source.

Do You Really Need A Physical Therapy Modality?

Not necessarily. On any given day, we see plenty of patients for simple chiropractic adjustments. For many people, they only need a monthly visit to the chiropractor to achieve the pain relief they need. For many others, the quick manipulation of the spine just simply isn’t enough to properly address their pain issues.

If you’re on the fence about which method will prove best for you, then you should speak with our chiropractor at Ideal Health Chiropractic. Our highly experienced chiropractor, Dr. Gregory Funk, has extensive knowledge of the human body and he will be able to properly assess your pain problems. After a quick consultation, Dr. Funk will develop a personalized treatment plan for your needs to help get your body in proper alignment and address the underlying pain problems in your muscular system. If needed, your plan will involve both chiropractic care and physical therapy. And believe us: after your appointment, you will notice the enhanced benefits from both types of treatments as they work together to keep your body in a healthy, properly functioning state.

Schedule Your First Appointment Today

If you’re interested in leveraging the benefits of chiropractic and physical therapy in Denver, it’s time to schedule your first visit with Ideal Health Chiropractic. Book your first appointment with us today to start feeling your best.

CBD has been on the rise in medical and wellness communities in recent years. The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of the dietary supplement have made CBD an ideal addition to any wellness regimen. At Ideal Health, we've recently begun incorporating CBD into our treatments for patients who are interested in experiencing the enhance effects. Let's talk about how chiropractic and CBD work together to relieve pain.

What Is CBD?

Cannabis plants are made up of more than 400 different compounds. More than 60 of these compounds are specific to cannabis, while the rest are also found in many other species of plants. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of these unique compounds that offer a variety of medicinal and therapeutic effects. It is important to note that THC is another compound found in cannabis. This is the compound that creates the high commonly associated with marijuana use. Marijuana that does not include THC is not marijuana at all. It is called hemp. Cannabidiol can be derived from hemp plants or marijuana. The legal status of marijuana in your state dictates where the CBD comes from. Because both medical and recreational marijuana is legal in the state of Colorado, you can find CBD that comes from both marijuana and hemp plants with differing levels of THC. If you're looking for a CBD product, be sure to do your research and find the best option for you.

How Can CBD Enhance The Effects Of Chiropractic Medicine?

Chiropractic medicine is well established as an alternative method of pain relief. In the wake of the opioid epidemic that is taking over the United States, many providers of alternative medicine have sought out ways to increase the effectiveness of their practices in order to benefit their patients and prevent further growth of the reliance on pain medication. CBD is one of the ways we are doing this.

The endocannabinoid system is a network of neurotransmitters and receptors that play a role in the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system. The endocannabinoid is responsible for regulating nearly every vital system in the body, including pain perception, stress responses, learning, memory, muscle movement, circulation, and more. CBD acts as a supplement for the endocannabinoid system and alleviated deficiencies to restore order and balance.

The chemical structure of CBD is similar to the body's naturally-occurring cannabinoids, such as anandamide and 2-AG. The similarities allow them to be used to mimic the endocannabinoid system.

There are a couple of ways to combine chiropractic and CBD. You can use topical applications during a treatment and/or dietary applications in between treatments to maximize the effects of both chiropractic and CBD. Any method of CBD supplementation can support your chiropractic treatments.

Interested In Trying CBD And Chiropractic?

CBD is a safe, non-toxic, dietary supplement that can be used with little to no negative side effects. Not only that, but it is also completely legal. If you suffer from chronic pain, arthritis, muscle soreness, or see a chiropractor to help with any other symptoms, CBD could be the answer to enhancing your pain relief efforts.

Contact Ideal Health today to learn more about how chiropractic and CBD work together to help you feel your best.

The idea of a treatment that involves lots of machines and wires is an often an intimidating thought. Electronic stimulation is one of these kinds of therapies that looks much scarier than it actually is. Electronic muscle stimulation is a common treatment used in chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, and other rehabilitation settings for the purposes of pain relief or muscle re-education – but how exactly do all those adhesive pads and wires communicate with your muscles? That's what we're here to tell you.

Electronic Stimulation Defined

There are different types of electrical stimulation that are used to accomplish a variety of goals that ultimately aid in pain relief. Most forms of stimulation use adhesive pads that are strategically placed on and around the area where the pain is generating from. These pads are connected to a machine that transmits electrical pulses.

NMES

NMES, or neuromuscular electrical stimulation, is the most common type of electronic stimulation. The electrical current pulses through electrodes that are placed on the skin and causes a single muscle or a group of muscles to contract. Strategic adjustments will change how strong the contraction is. Through this process, blood flow is increased in the specific area to help decrease spasms and support the healing process.

IFC

IFC, also referred to as interferential current, is most often used to decrease low back pain. Four electrodes are applied in a crisscross pattern so that the electronic currents interfere. This allows a more intense current to be used without causing discomfort to the patient.

TENS

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation. This modality generates intense electrical pulses deep into the nervous system to block the pain signals that are traveling from the brain to the area of the body in question. While the pulses are intense in the deep layers of muscle that are being stimulated, it is a relatively pain-free process that will create a tingling feeling at the site of the electrodes.

Iontophoresis

This form of electrical stimulation is designed to aid in the administration of medication. Often the medicine is used to decrease inflammation and is pushed into the body through the electrical current, but there are other types of medicine that can be used in this form.

How Does Electronic Stimulation Work?

As we mentioned earlier, electronic stimulation is used for two primary purposes: pain relief and muscle re-education.

Pain Relief

There are two theories as to the reason behind electrical stimulation for pain relief. The first is called the Gate Control Theory which says that the pain signals that are sent from the brain must pass through a “gate” before pain can be felt in any area of the body. The stimulation sensation must also pass through that “gate” and when it does, it blocks the nerves that would deliver the pain signals. The second theory considers the idea that electronic stimulation causes the brain to release the body's natural painkillers to support pain relief. Research has shown increases in endorphins and enkephalins after the use of electrical stimulation.

Muscle Re-Education

Electrical stimulation is also used for muscle re-education. This is a common occurrence after a stroke, accident, or orthopedic surgery and a patient has to relearn how to contract the muscle. The electrical impulses, when the electrodes are applied correctly, allow the muscle to contract without the patient consciously doing so. This stimulation, along with conscious practices helps the brain re-learn how to contract the muscle on its own.

Electronic Stimulation In Denver

Electronic stimulation can be a highly effective aid in the treatment protocol for pain relief. It is a non-addictive modality, which makes it beneficial in a variety of circumstances because it is a cost-effective means of achieving relief.

If you experience chronic pain or weakness following surgery or injury, electronic stimulation can support your current pain relief efforts to help you get back to feeling your best. Contact our expert at Ideal Health to try electronic stimulation today.

Custom orthotics have increased in popularity as foot, knee, hip, and back pain continue to be a problem many people experience. Many people are hesitant to invest in the custom shoe orthotics when there are so many less expensive options that you can get at your regular superstore. While store-bought orthotics can offer some customization depending on the pain you may experience, ultimately, there is some level of generic features that cannot be avoided.

The Customization Factor

Custom orthotics are designed specifically for your body and the way you distribute your weight across your feet. No two custom orthotics are created exactly the same because no two people stand, walk, and distribute weight the same way. When you are evaluated for custom orthotics, there are a few steps your doctor will take you through.

Biomechanical Evaluation

This part of the evaluation may feature both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing assessments. The weight-bearing assessment will focus on the alignment of the body in relation to the foot on the ground while standing upright, as well as walking and/or running. Your doctor may do this analysis on the floor, an impression mat, and/or a treadmill in order to gain a complete understanding of your body's relationship with your foot. The non-weight-bearing assessment may involve scans and physical measurements that analyze the different planes of your foot in order to see any imbalances that may be present.

Casting and Creation

After your evaluation is complete, your feet will be casted in order to build the orthotics to your body. The plaster will harden to your feet while you are seated in a neutral, non-weight-bearing position. Using the casts of your feet and the measurements taken during the biomechanical evaluation, your custom shoe orthotics will be created with plastic, graphite and cushioning materials that will help to streamline your gait.

Reassessment

Over time, your doctor will evaluate your custom orthotics to look for signs of wear that would indicate it is time to get new orthotics or make changes to your prescription.

Wearing Custom Orthotics

Custom shoe orthotics are much like a new pair of shoes; they must be broken in at first. You may experience some discomfort at first, your orthotics are, in fact, modifying the relationship between your body and your feet, which can be a major change. We recommend that you start by wearing your orthotics for just a few hours on the first day and then increase by hourly increments until you are comfortable wearing them all day long. If you are still experiencing discomfort after the initial break-in period, schedule an appointment with your doctor to make an adjustment to your orthotics.

How Do Custom Orthotics Work?

Custom orthotics are based on a prescription that guides your foot into an ideal position at every stage of walking and running. The inflexible materials used, such as plastics and graphite provide resistance to the foot to keep the lower body in the proper position. The prescriptions for custom orthotics take into account weight and activity level to ensure that the right amount of each material is used to provide an adequate amount of resistance to keep the body aligned. Alternatively, the cushioning materials, such as foam and neoprene, help absorb weight as it is distributed across the foot. This provides stress relief in the lower body, especially in the ligaments of the feet and legs.

Custom orthotics also provide support for the connective tissues in the lower body. This reduces muscle fatigue and helps prevent instability in the foot and legs.

If you experience foot, knee, hip, or back pain, custom orthotics may be the solution. Contact Ideal Health today to set up a consultation.