RIGHTSPINE Chiropractic Neurology Associates

Manipulative Techniques

Diversified
Diversified technique is a compilation of many manual manipulative techniques developed over the past 110 years. This is by far the most commonly practiced technique amongst doctors of chiropractic. It is also the technique most people are familiar with as during the procedure, a "pop", or as we call it, a cavitation, will occur. The doctors at RightSPINE are masters of this technique.

Cox Spinal Decompression
Cox technique was developed by Dr. James Cox of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Dr. Cox used the basics of "flexion/distraction" pioneered by Dr. McMannis, an osteopathic physician. Dr. Cox then developed a newer generation of treatment tables allowing for more consistent spinal decompression. Our offices are equipped with flexion tables that allow us to perform this technique manually. The purpose of Cox technique is to reverse the effect of gravity on the discs and facet joints with deep, long axis, flexion motion. This technique allows us to reverse a herniated disc condition of the lower back in many cases, thereby preventing more invasive procedures such as spinal injections or spine surgery.

A variation of this technique utlizes tables that have a unique drop-away pelvic section that allows pregnant women up to the 9th month of gestation to undergo treatment safely and effectively. RightSPINE physicians employ this technique very successfully.

ArthroStim Adjusting Instrument

For patients that suffer from osteoporosis, or those who are uncomfortable with the idea of manual adjusting techniques, this is a very gentle technique that does not involve motion that causes the "crack" of a joint. The ArthroStim® Instrument's adjustment is finely focused where it counts most: at the doctor-patient interface. The gentle rapid thrust and unique recoil produced by the ArthroStim® activates proprioceptors and mechanoreceptors without recruiting the nocioceptors (pain receptors), providing the comfort today's patient demands.

The ArthroStim® Instrument produces up to TWELVE thrusts a second. This frequency, known as the low beta somatomotor rhythm, is two to three times the rate of other multiple thrust instruments. This outstanding rapidity supersaturates the target area with specific adjustive energy/ forces. The energy continues to ripple through the joint to surrounding fringe tissues. This releases secondary trigger points and sites of muscular spasm, providing the relief and corrections that doctors want. Patients typically notice a positive difference with the first treatment.

Available Therapies

Electric Stimulation
This includes Faradic stimulation, Interferential stimulation, Sinusoidal stimulation, and Galvanic stimulation; all work well for the relief of muscle spasm and pain in the soft tissues. We have all the above therapies to help you as an adjunct to the chiropractic adjustment.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound is probably the most widely used physical therapy modality among therapists, chiropractors, medical physicians, and podiatrists. It was invented by a chiropractor 80-100 years ago. It uses the vibrations from a quartz crystal energized by an electrical current to send sound waves into the body at 0.800-1.2 million cycles per second (one mega Hertz). The tissue is stimulated by ultrasound and increases micro circulation promoting faster healing and speedier reduction of swelling. A type of this technology is used to image unborn fetuses and in diagnostic ultrasound.

Intersegmental traction
When the spine’s postural muscles—the muscles that hold you upright—are fatigued, traumatized or negatively impacted from lost circulation due to accident or injury, spasms occur. The Verteflex intersegmental traction table carefully elongates the postural muscles of your spine in a comfortable, even manner and allows normal joint motion, circulation and mobility to return.

Hydrotherapy (hydrochair)
Our hydrotherapy chair allows you to get a deep hydromassage without getting wet or undressed.

Diathermy
Diathermy is a radiant deep heat that is similar to the function of a microwave oven. It works well for arthritis pain relief, chronic back pain, deep chest congestion caused by viral colds, bronchitis, or pneumonia. It can provide great relief for hip and knee arthritis, tennis elbow, ankle sprains, shoulder bursitis, and knee and wrist tendonitis.

Low Level (cold) Laser
Low-level laser light is compressed light of a wavelength from the cold, red part of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. It is different from natural light in that it is one precise color; it is coherent (it travels in a straight line), monochromatic (a single wavelength) and polarized (it concentrates its beam in a defined location or spot). These properties allow laser light to penetrate the surface of the skin with no heating effect, no damage to the skin and no known side effects. Rather, laser light directs biostimulative light energy to the body's cells which the cells then convert into chemical energy to promote natural healing and pain relief. It has been approved by the FDA for treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Spinal Rehabilitation
A tremendously important part of our patient care is providing strength and endurance to injured or dysfunctional areas of the body. We focus on exercises that can be performed at home without the use of very expensive pieces of equipment. We will advise you on the use of physioballs, neck balls, balance boards, therabands, and small weights that will allow you to carry out all the necessary exercises to stabilize your condition.

Manipulation Under Anesthesia

Some chronic pain sufferers have discovered an alternative to surgery that has proven to have tremendous health benefits. The procedure is called Manipulation Under Anesthesia, or MUA, and the practice has been around since the late 1930’s and has been used by orthopaedic surgeons for many years as a proven form of treatment. Dr. Friedman is the first chiropractor in Massachusetts to begin performing this procedure. MUA is offered for acute and chronic conditions such as neck, back, and joint pain, and conditions caused by long-term disabilities, accidents, and injuries that have not been responsive to other conventional treatments.

During an MUA procedure, the patient is placed under "twilight sedation" to achieve total relaxation of bones and muscles so that they may be adjusted without the usual resistance. Adjustments and stretching movements, which would be painful for the patient while conscious, are performed painlessly and are quickly accomplished. The procedure usually takes about 15 minutes, and the recovery time is 15-20 minutes. The physician performing the procedure has special training and certification, and performs the procedures in a hospital or surgery center. The patient will usually experience an immediate increase in their range of motion, along with some muscle soreness. Generally, a series of 3 to 4 session treatments are necessary to achieve the desired results.

The proposed effects of Manipulation Under Anesthesia are:

    - Breaking up of scar tissue in and around spinal joints
    - Decreasing chronic muscle spasm
    - Stretching persistent shortened muscles, ligaments, and tendons
    - Relieving pain and radiating symptoms from damaged intervertebral discs

While some doctors are still cautious about the treatment, MUA is becoming more widely accepted by the medical community.

Diagnostic Testing
JTech Tracker System
Range of Motion and Muscle Testing
Fast, Accurate, Objective Evaluation and Documentation

X-ray
Radiology studies are performed on site, and sometimes patients are given prescriptions to have their films done at one of our local hospitals.

NCV testing
Neurodiagnostic testing can be done on site for early evaluation of nerve damage painlessly using a Neurometrix NCV machine (available in Peabody only.)