Chiropractic Services

Joint Mobilization

Joint mobilization is utilized on patients in which spinal manipulative therapy is not warranted, not appropriate or contra-indicated. Joint mobilization is the careful use of skillfully applied passive graded forces to move a joint in a desired direction. It is usually used to improve motion and normalize joint function. Mobilization can also be used to help control pain. Any joint that is lacking sufficient motion may be mobilized. It can be used on all regions of the spine and pelvis as well as all of the joints of the extremities such as the shoulder, wrist, hand, hip, knee, foot and ankle.

Spinal Manipulative Therapy

Manipulation is defined as a form of manual therapy, which involves movement of a joint past its usual end range of motion. This can be applied to any joint. The patient is first positioned in a way that the involved joint or joints can be isolated from the others. Then, the doctor uses his hands to apply a gentle force to the joint. This moves the joint surfaces, and usually results in a popping sound. To better understand why the “popping” sound occurs, an understanding of the structure of joints is important. A joint is made up of the surfaces of two bones that slide over or pivot around each other. These surfaces are lined with smooth cartilage and encased in an elastic tissue called the joint capsule. This capsule is filled with a fluid which lubricates and nourishes the cartilage. The fluid is pressurized and has gasses dissolved inside, similar to carbonated soda. During a manipulation, the joint capsule is stretched and some gas bubbles are released similar to the bubbles that are released when a soda bottle is opened. This is what causes the “popping” sound.

Many times, back and neck pain is the result of joints that are not moving properly. Imagine a door that only opens halfway because of a stuck hinge. You could still use it, but it is more troublesome than a door that opens fully.

What Benefits Are Derived From Joint Mobilization and Manipulation?

  • Improved joint mobility
  • Decreased muscle spasms & tension
  • Decreased pain

McKenzie Technique ©

Originally developed by a New Zealand physical therapist, the McKenzie Method is a comprehensive and logical step-by-step process to evaluate a patient’s problem quickly. This mechanical examination classifies patient conditions by the level of pain or limitation that results from certain movements or positions. Research has shown the initial McKenzie assessment procedures to be as reliable as costly diagnostic imaging (i.e., x-rays, MRIs) to determine the source of the problem and quickly identify responders and non-responders. It is an excellent diagnostic and treatment approach for disc injuries and pinched nerves and works by re-positioning the disc back to its proper position thus relieving pressure on an injured nerve.

Flexion Distraction

Flexion-distraction technique is a widely used treatment approach for treating symptomatic disc injuries, lumbar spine stenosis, degenerative disc disease and conditions of the spinal joints. Flexion-distraction involves the use of a specialized table that gently distracts or stretches the spine and allows the doctor to isolate the area of complaint while slightly flexing the spine. There is no pain involved in the treatment.

Cervical and Lumbar Traction

Therapeutic spinal traction uses mechanically created forces to stretch and mobilize the spine. In doing so it separates the spinal joints, widens the intervertebral foramen to relieve nerve root impingement and decreases intradiscal pressure. Recent evidence has found that therapeutic spinal traction is an effective treatment approach for cervical and lumbar pain originating from spinal joints, injured discs and pinched nerves or sciatica. A clinical prediction rule now exists that can determine who is most likely to respond to this form of therapy.

Soft Tissue Techniques

Graston Technique©

The Graston Technique is an innovative, patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The Technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.

Myofascial Release Techniques

This umbrella term encompasses all forms of soft tissue mobilization. These include stretching techniques, massage therapy, and facilitation techniques. Also included is Trigger Point Therapy which is deep manual pressure applied to and held on sensitive pressure points within muscles. The desired therapeutic benefit is to re-establish proper muscle balances and decrease pain originating from a muscle origin.

Physiotherapeutic Modalities

These include both Ultrasound and Electrical Muscle Stimulation. Both modalities are used to improve tissue healing and speed recovery. Ultrasound emits sound waves that warm up the tissues and increase blood flow to the area of complaint whereas EMS decreases muscle “spasm” and helps to relieve pain.

Rehabilitative Exercises

Current literature recommends that all forms of manual care should include an active component. By engaging patients in exercises they are taking an active role in their recovery and preventing their condition from becoming chronic and disabling. Rehabilitative exercises that target condition specific areas will improve strength and endurance and decrease levels of pain. The prescribed program will also decrease the likelihood of recurrence and in the event of a future episode should limit the amount of time to recovery.

Patient Education

All patients are given recommendations on lifestyle modifications, ergonomic corrections and postural corrections. These factors have been shown to perpetuate most patients’ complaint and in some cases be the cause of their pain. The main goal of our practice is to empower the patient to achieve independence from care thus limiting their out of pocket expense.

Contact Dr. Al Furtado at (860) 495-5244 or via email for more information.

What is Rock Tape?

RockTape is an elasticized kinesiology tape made from 97% cotton and 3% nylon. The adhesive is hypo-allergenic, acrylic-based and contains no latex.

First used by acupuncturists and chiropractors in Japan, today kinesiology tape is used by healthcare practitioners throughout the world to treat injuries and improve sports performance.

Where/How is RockTape used?

RockTape is applied to any region of the body that has sustained injured or along myofascial planes to improve performance.

Who can benefit from RockTape?

Anyone who has a musculoskeletal injury or who is looking to improve performance can benefit from RockTape.

How does it work?

RockTape applied to the skin can interfere with pain signals which are directed to the brain. The change of these pain signals to the brain decreases the pain levels.

RockTape also decompresses areas of swelling and inflammation. When RockTape is applied to the skin, it has a microscopic lifting effect underneath the skin and between the many layers. This allows the by-products created by inflammation to be removed more quickly.

RockTape also decreases the fatigability of muscles. Research has shown that RockTape on skin can attenuate muscle fatigue.

It normalizes muscle tone. When someone is injured, fatigued, or inflamed, the symphony or motor pattern of muscle action that normally takes place with great accuracy often falls out of tune. This can happen all over the body. For instance, research has shown that people who sprain their ankle tend to have altered activity of their hip muscle as a result. RockTape can help activate dormant muscle and can help relax overactive muscles. It helps your body coordinate movement as if it weren’t hurt, hence allowing it to heal properly.

How do I get RockTape?

As a trained RockTape clinician, I can determine if taping is appropriate for a specific issue and can apply RockTape to achieve the optimal outcomes. It can also be administered to improve athletic performance for any athletic endeavor. RockTape is typically left on for 3-5 days. Normal bathing and swimming is not an issue and will not change the effectiveness of RockTape.

Price: 1 Region @ $20 // 2 regions @ $30
Prices subject to change depending on quantity of tape used.

Dr. Al Furtado is a board certified chiropractic physician who can best assess what taping method is right for you. Looking to get taped? Contact Dr. Al Furtado at (860) 495-5244 or via email for more information.

Dry Needling

At times, we can suffer from muscle pain and dry needling is an effective treatment option.

Myofascial trigger point dry needling (MFTrPDN) is a treatment to restore proper function to abnormally behaving muscles. Nodules, or knots, and tight bands that develop in the muscle create localized pain or send pain signals to other locations. The affected muscles become locked and cannot function normally, which restricts movement and causes chronic pain.

Nodules develop from overuse, trauma, poor posture, lack of exercise, sleep disturbances, vitamin deficiencies, joint arthritis or nerves compressed at the spine and other locations. These painful areas contain biochemicals that cause pain to the local nerves and decreased oxygen flow, or ischemia, which causes the muscle fibers to lock.

Of the many treatment methods applied to painful muscles, none are quite as effective – fast acting and long lasting – as MFTrPDN. It short-circuits the vicious pain cycle in a very direct way that other methods cannot accomplish. The muscle contracture releases to its normal length, circulation is improved, swelling receded and the pain-causing biochemicals disperse, eliminating their noxious effect on local nerves.

Dry needling utilizes sterile, thin monofilament needles, and relief is often rapid with a reduction in pain and improved function.

Contact Dr. Al Furtado at (860) 495-5244 or via email for more information.