Whittier chiropractor, chiropractor in Whittier, CA

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Often referred to as "muscle stim," the therapy involves low levels of electrical impulses delivered to the injured, painful tissues to reduce pain and speed healing. Often described by patients as a pleasant, "tingling" sensation, or "electrical massage," these impulses stimulate the body to release natural pain relievers, called endorphins. These endorphins reduce pain and inflammation, thereby promoting faster healing of the injured tissues. This therapy is often used to treat acute or chronic pain, as well as strains or sprains of the muscles, joints, and soft tissues of the spine and extremities.

Interferential Electro-Therapy - a therapeutic treatment to aid in the relief of pain and the promotion of soft tissue healing.

Tiny amounts of electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the vicinity of the injury. Where these waves intersect below the surface of the skin, a low-frequency stimulation is created. This prompts the body to secrete endorphins and other natural pain killers to help relieve pain.

Most patients find Interferential Electro-Therapy to be extremely beneficial and describe the treatment as a faint "pins and needles" sensation.

Interferential Electro-Therapy is most often used for pain relief and to aid in reducing the swelling of soft tissues. Ligament sprains, muscle strains and spasms often respond to this treatment, helping to reduce atrophy and increase blood circulation.

Ultrasound - A therapeutic procedure that utilizes sound waves to treat injured muscles, joints, and soft tissues.

The sound waves:

- vibrate the tissues back and forth, creating a deep, micro-massage effect.

- decrease scar tissue and adhesion formation

- decrease inflammation by destroying unwanted inflammatory cells.

- accelerate healing by stimulating the activity of the cells responsible for cellular and tissue repair.

- deep-heating effect, heating the tissues far below the skin's surface, helping to "melt away" the muscle spasms and "knots" felt in our muscles.

During the treatment most patients either feel nothing, or a pleasant and relaxing sensation below the skin's surface. As the temperature rises, blood flow increases and muscle spasms relax thus speeding up the healing process. Ultrasound stimulated healing without irritation and enhances the body's natural healing ability. It is effective in treating calcium deposition, speeds metabolism and improves blood flow and reduces nerve root irritation.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a term that describes the application of ice compresses to reduce the temperature of tissues directly on or below the skin surface. Cryotherapy works on the surface cooling constricts blood vessels, numbs painful areas, and helps relax muscle spasms. Cold temperatures reduce nerve transmission of painful symptoms and provide temporary relief. Cooling affected tissues is effective in reducing and preventing post-traumatic swelling. Local cooling should be applied several times a day during the initial stages of an injury.

Patients Benefits: Helps reduce swelling and inflammation, Numbs affected area to reduce pain, Reduces muscle spasms and is inexpensive and can be self-applied.