How We Do It

Carlson Chiropractic Center - Adjustment
Manual Adjustments

Most chiropractic treatment uses manual adjustments to restore structural integrity. An adjustment is a controlled movement to a joint that is “locked up,” aligning the spine and and normalizing body function. These adjustments are either done by hand or an instrument called an activator.

Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is a type of traction therapy applied to the spine with the goal of relieving neck, back, leg and arm pain. The light stretching of the spine reduces pressure, promoting an optimal healing environment for disc injuries and misalignments. This treatment is used for herniated and bulging discs.

Rehabilitation Exercises

For some conditions, a patient’s chiropractor will recommend specific exercises and stretches. This rehabilitation or conditioning strengthens muscles while improving mobility and flexibility. By strengthening muscles, the body is able to adapt more efficiently to manual adjustments.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

When a patient is injured, has a misaligned spine, or simply lives a sedentary lifestyle, muscle function slows, tightening the tissue and causing pain. This condition is called disuse muscle atrophy, and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) usually helps relieve the tension for better muscle function. Similar to rehabilitation exercises, EMS targets muscles to strengthen them while improving mobility and flexibility at the same time. Using electric pulses, EMS activates muscles creating blood flow to relieve pain, help recovery and increase performance.

The intensity of the pulses differ from person to person depending on muscle mass and tolerance. Since athletes have muscles that are more developed than those of an average person, a more intense EMS is used to enhance performance and recovery rates.

Kinesio Taping

Kinesio taping is a technique designed to assist the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints. This specific type of athletic tape, which has the elasticity, texture and breathability closely related to living human skin, allows for soft tissue manipulation without restricting the body’s range of motion. The tape is heat-activated, meaning the more athletes engage and move muscles, the more support the tape will give them. By targeting the body’s sensory receptors, kinesio taping alleviates pain and facilitates lymphatic drainage, decreasing inflammation by microscopically lifting the skin.