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Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic Techniques
Dr. Tim and Alex Leasenby use a number of highly-effective adjusting techniques to help improve spinal biomechanics and reduce nervous system interference. Many of the newest chiropractic techniques are actually safer, more comfortable and more effective than ever before.
As chiropractors who care about utilizing the most advanced techniques, Dr. Tim and Dr. Alex have years of training, expertise and experience in helping patients get relief for back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other related conditions originating from the spine. The Leasenby doctors have blended the best from many Chiropractic techniques and are ready to handle all the challenges that walk into their clinic. The approach they choose for you is based on their best clinical judgment and more than 30 years of experience. Our Chiropractic Techniques include:
Click on any technique to learn more.
Palmer Method The original chiropractic treatment and philosophy was developed by D.D. Palmer. This type of chiropractic is very specific. It works on individual segments taking a marksman's approach. With the Palmer Method the doctor precisely adjusts a specific vertebrae with an exact angle with a quick, thrust. It is also called Toggle Recoil. This technique focuses on the upper cervical area, but has effects on the entire spine. Kinesiology Kinesiology is the use of muscle testing to identify imbalances in the body's structural, chemical, emotional or other energy to determine the body's priority of healing needs and to evaluate energy changes. Kinesiology means the "study of movement." It is a therapy that uses biofeedback to look at what is causing imbalances in the body. The doctor finds a weak muscle and then uses joint manipulation, deep massage, cranial corrections, nutrition or reflex procedures to correct the weakness. Pain Neutralization Technique (PNT) The Pain Neutralization Technique is a chiropractic method that uses neurological reflexes and reflexology to treat trigger points that are connected with muscle or joint pain; developed by Dr. Stephen Kaufman. Trigger points are caused by a lack of blood circulation in muscle tissue, which can become increasingly painful over time. The focus of PNT is to locate and treat the trigger points which can cause pain throughout the body by following the neurological pathways that are associated with each point. These trigger points may be located far from the source of long-term pain. For example, trigger points in the neck and upper back can cause long-term lower back pain and headaches. PNT uses finger tips with light pressure to release the trigger points. It uses a specific stimulation, vector and pressure by hand to activate the reflex. When stimulated the once tense band of muscles will relax and immediately lose its tenderness when pressed sending blood flow to the area of the body where the patient is experiencing pain. Increasing blood flow helps to repair damaged cell tissue, causing pain to subside. It is very fast, effective and painless. Cox Decompression Technique Cox Technic is research-documented spinal manipulation to relieve lower back pain, neck pain, arm pain, leg pain and a host of other spinal related conditions like disc herniation, spinal stenosis, post-surgical continued pain, and pregnancy related back pain. Dr. Leasenby trained with the Cox Technics’ developer, Dr. James M. Cox who has been documenting the science of this non-surgical alternative to back surgery for nearly 50 years. It is a method of spinal decompression. Spinal Decompression is a procedure of tractioning and flexing the spine using precise movements. It works by methodically increasing the spacing between vertebrae. The increased spacing creates a pressurized vacuum within the bugled disc, moving it off the nerve, and allowing blood and important nutrients to flow into the vertebral discs. Therefore, allowing the nerves to do their job and transmit mental impulses properly. The location of a disc that has degenerated or pinched decreases the nerve impulse, weakening signal and thus causing pain, decreased sensation, muscle weakness, or decreased reflexes.
Manual Spinal Nerve Block Dr. Stephen Kaufman developed a technique called Manual Spinal Nerve Block. It works by applying pressure to the spinal nerve roots along known neurological pathways to block pain just with manual pressure. There is no thrusting or manipulation. The doctor can eliminate pain immediately by stimulating the trigger point along the spinal nerve roots to turn off muscle tenderness that is sore to the touch. This technique uses the broad definition of trigger points as any area that is more tender to pressure than the surrounding area. Often very sensitive points become normal and are no longer painful to touch instantly with the application of the correct pressure to the spinal nerve root. So far we have mapped ten manual spinal nerve blocks that have wide ranging effects throughout the body. This unique method has also been shown to normalize circulation bringing life back to numb areas and relieving radiating pain. ArthroStim Dr. Leasenby has taken special training in the use of this tool called the Arthrostim. It's a specialized hand held instrument that gently and safely corrects and adjusts the spine. The tool works by taking the amount of force that the doctor might use in a traditional adjustment, and divides that force into smaller chunks that are delivered rapidly to a specific area. The arthrostim allows us to maintain the effectiveness of your adjustment while reducing the amount of force that is applied and providing a gentler experience. The adjustment produces precise movements which stimulate neural receptors in an area. These receptors, in turn, produce nerve impulses which relay crucial information to the brain. The brain depends on this neurological feedback to bring its awareness to an area of the body. Once the brain evaluates the changes prompted by the adjustment, it issues self-correcting commands to the muscular system, and other systems, to bring about healing changes. The ArthroStim Instrument is one of the most effective and comfortable tools for creating this valuable input in an area. The tool delivers 12-14 incremental thrusts per second. By dividing the energy of a single thrust into rapid successive inputs it creates a gentler force. The secret to the instrument’s effectiveness comes from its controlled repetitive input. This input produces a cumulative ‘snowballing’ effect on neural receptors giving immediate neurological feedback to the brain, using greatly reduced forces. Percussor Percussor therapy is a gentle treatment approach for muscle and ligament problems. It uses a hand-held instrument that puts out waves of percussive impulses deep into the tissues of the body which promotes lymphatic flow and circulation. This device allows the doctor to decrease muscle spasm, release joints and loosen stiff areas with a slow, vibrating motion. The body carries the electrical current throughout the area to break down the restriction and knots. This therapy can dramatically increase range of motion. Excessive tightening of the muscle or scar tissue can cause pain and stiffness. This technique helps break up those adhesions. Percussor therapy can be used in a wide range of conditions from TMJ (jaw pain) to persistent lower back pain. Cranial Sacral Therapy CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tension deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. This therapy was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as professor of biomechanics. Using a soft touch which is generally no greater than 5 grams – about the weight of a nickel the doctor releases restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system. CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and it is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction. With a light touch, the doctor uses his hands to evaluate the craniosacral system by gently feeling various locations of the body to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. Soft-touch techniques are then used to release restrictions in any tissues influencing the craniosacral system. Sacro Occipaltal Technique (SOT) SOT is a gentle and innovative technique of Chiropractic founded in 1925 by Dr. De Jarnette, It is named because of the relationship between the sacrum (base of the spine) and the occiput (base of the skull). One of the functions of the sacrum is to pump Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF) from the base of the spine back up the spinal canal to the brain and throughout the nervous system. The occiput also helps to pump CSF. The minute rhythmical motion that circulates the CSF is essential to optimal health. CSF effectively acts as the circulatory system of the brain and spinal cord. The pelvis forms the foundational support of the human skeleton. It supports the upper body right up to the skull, and enables us to transfer our weight to our legs. It also protects our delicate nervous system. The nervous system controls our body, and can only function normally when our structures are balanced and our pelvis is stable. SOT uses rhythmic breathing with stretching, rotation and balancing of the spine to give stability to the foundation of the spine, the sacrum, and free flowing nerve impulses from the cranium throughout the entire body. The method often uses angled blocks placed under each side of the body while lying on your back to balance these functions. Diversified This is a widely used type of chiropractic adjustment that includes most of the procedures taught at chiropractic schools. This technique is the most commonly used of all chiropractic techniques and is the one most familiar to patients. It uses a hands on quick, low force thrust which is used to correct subluxation and return motion to the vertebral joint. This classic mobilizing technique is well documented for relieving low back pain as well as headaches. Gonstead Gonstead is a very specific chiropractic technique named after its founder Dr. Clarence Gonstead who believed that the connection that exists between the brain and all other parts of the human body is the nervous system. Signals pass between the brain, eyes, tongue, stomach, toes and throughout the entire body on "electrical wires" called nerves. These nerves pass from the brain down the spinal column or back bone, and exit between the spinal bones at 24 levels from the base of the skull to the tailbone, controlling all bodily functions. If the spaces between the spinal bones should become narrowed or cut off due to a misalignment in your spine, this is called a subluxation, and the nerve signal is then interrupted or reduced at that specific level. The nerve fiber traveling away from this "pinch" has now become short circuited as it heads toward the muscle or specific organ it controls. The result is pain and loss of function in that muscle, or organ. Even an everyday headache can result from nerve pressure due to a spinal misalignment. The Gonstead Chiropractic approach is to locate these misalignments in the spinal column, then precisely and gently adjust the segment back into place manually, removing the subluxation and "pinch." The nerve function is restored, and the path of that nerve is then again sending and receiving the electrical impulses as it should and ultimately, health is restored. Pierce Technique (formerly Pierce/Stillwagon Technique) The Pierce Technique was created by Dr. Vernon Pierce and uses a biomechanical analysis of the spine in motion to determine the loss of function which causes pain and health problems. It uses a system of x-ray and precise adjustments using the drop table to make corrections. Dr. Leasenby has studied with the developer, Dr. Pierce. CBP (Chiropractic Biophysics) Chiropractic BioPhysics is a highly-advanced, scientific chiropractic technique that combines biology, physiology, physics, geometry, and anatomy to identify the causes of your pain, discomfort, loss of mobility, and altered health. It is physics applied to biology. The doctor uses precise measurements to correct the posture. CBP emphasizes optimal posture and spinal alignment and documents improvements in pain and function. Often there are dramatic changes in posture which leads to less pain. Thompson Technique Thompson Technique uses a special table with several segments called drop pieces. These segments are propped up a fraction of an inch so that when the thrust is delivered, the table drops slightly, assisting the thrust while minimizing the force used for the adjustment. This drop system takes advantage of the spine's natural design of the joints to move the spinal segment in the direction that will improve the motion in that area. The special chiropractic table allows the doctor to thrust at quick, high speed using minimal force because the fast drop carries the joint through the remainder of its range of motion. Torque Release Technique (TRT) Dr. Leasenby was trained in the Torque Release Technique (TRT) by its founder Dr. Jay Holder. This method combines several chiropractic techniques and principles, quantum physics and the body/mind connection. TRT is based on a scientific model of the brain reward cascade which is based on an understanding of the dopamine or feel good receptors on the spinal cord. When there is a subluxation causing nerve interference the feel good possibilities are lessened. This can lead to poor health conditions, addictive behavior and bad decision making. By removing this nerve impingement the brain reward cascade system begins working to allow you to reach a greater potential. It combines the mental and emotional effects with the physical condition of the body. Your spinal cord is a thick string of piezoelectric gel which is pressure or vibration producing current that is conducted through the gel. The frequency that it is working at is determined by the amount of tension being placed at either end of the string. Just like a guitar string, the tightness of the cord creates the tune that is being played. TRT focuses on the "tuning pegs" which are the vital connection points between the spinal cord and the spinal column. Using a hand held instrument called the Integrator or "Endorphin gun" the doctor gently and methodically adjusts these areas to change the tension and relax or tighten the tone. This is registered throughout the central nervous system to create a healthier state of being which effects the body, mind and in turn your life. Trigger Point Therapy Trigger Point therapy is also known as myotherapy or neuromuscular therapy. It is a specific method of applying pressure to painful irritated areas in muscles to break cycles of spasm and pain. This procedure allows the muscle to relax and the pain to be lessened. Myofascial trigger points represent small areas of tightness within muscles creating tight bands or "knots" from the contracted muscle fibers. Current research indicates that nerve impulses to these muscle fibers won't shut off and require manual pressure to help them release. Pressure is applied with the fingers, palm, or arm. It is often followed by stretching the muscles. The trigger point is not always at the source of pain. It is often several inches away. Webster Technique The Webster Technique is a specific Chiropractic analysis and adjustment which realigns the sacrum, and the ligaments that hold the uterus. It also balances the pelvic muscles in pregancy, removing the tight constraint to the uterus and allowing the baby to drop into the best possible position for development and for birth. At the end of your spine, below your hip bones, there are 5 vertebrae that fuse together after development into the sacrum. Just like any other vertebrae, the sacrum can also have a subluxation (misalignment). We often find this in pregnancy due to posture and hormonal changes, weight gain, and a change in center of gravity. When the sacrum is misaligned in a woman, it causes a tightening and twisting of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments that surround, and are connected to the uterus. When these muscles/ligaments are constricting the uterus, it prevents the baby from comfortably assuming the best position for birth which is head down. When this intrauterine constraint is relieved through chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue techniques, we often see babies take on the "head down" position. Studies have proven high success rates for turning breech babies through relaxing the restriction around the uterus. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex (head down) when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. When successful, the Webster Technique can help to avoid the costs and risks of cesarean section. This makes deliveries much more comfortable and safer for mother and baby. For more information, please call us at (630) 851-9222. |
