Chiropractic Services

Our variety of services allow us to better serve you and your individual needs. We have access to many new and revolutionary techniques with him in the field and are always evolving to make our office better work for you.

Being able to formulate an effective treatment plan involves being able to properly evaluate and diagnosis each individuals condition. We employ the latest evaluation techniques and procedures to effectively evaluate each individuals specific condition and needs.

These procedures include:

Comprehensive Physical Evaluation

The initial encounter involves a thorough physical evaluation. These evaluations include, chiropractic/orthopedic/neurological evaluation. The examination is similar to what you may have experienced at your physician’s office. However, other evaluations are added to evaluate potential or existing structural problems, muscle tone, abnormal leg length issues’ etc. We pay special attention to structural issues such as posture evaluations, range of motion of the joints, particularly the spine, muscle tone and neurological balance. We also take into consideration dysfunction of nervous system and how it may affect the overall health and affect pain syndromes. Our goal is to find the root cause of the health problem, not just cover the symptoms. The patient also feels that extensive health and history questionnaires to search for any latent problems or pre-existing issues. Other specialized diagnostic procedures are performed depending upon the patient’s presenting symptoms, history or other significant factors.

Diagnostic Procedures

Digital Radiography: (Digital x-ray)-digital radiography is a form of x-ray imaging where digital x-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. Advantages include the ability to digital transfer imaging so that images can be transferred to other doctors or specialist with ease. It is better for the patient and that less radiation can be used to produce a similar contrast to conventional x-ray. This also allows the doctor to apply a special imaging processing techniques to enhance the overall display quality of the image.

Digital Radiographic Mensuration Analysis (DRMA) -DRMA stands for Digital Radiographic Mensuration A Many times, this process is referred to as “digitized x-rays.” This is a test that Analyzes the angles and distances between bones in the spine uses a Computer and X-rays, which are a certain type of Radiograph. The purpose of the test is to accurately assess damage to the spine. Mensuration has been used by doctors for nearly 100 years to figure out when a patient’s spinal bones are misaligned due to injury, aging, or congenital defects. Mensuration compares a patient’s spine to a normal spine.

 

Why Use DRMA?

DRMA is important to patients, doctors, and lawyers. For patients, it visually shows them where they are injured. It also helps them understand that common defenses to whiplash injuries are smokescreens invented by insurance companies.

For doctors, DRMA assists with a “differential diagnosis,” which is the process doctors use to rule out other sources of pain. Insurance companies like to blame other sources, such as “somatoform disorder,” “secondary gain,” and other buzzwords that really mean faking. DRMA objectively disproves faking. Since DRMA identifies the location and extent of permanent injuries, it helps the doctor decide on a treatment plan targeted at the injured area. It is also helpful for tracking changes in a patient’s condition and for deciding when to make referrals to pain management specialists, neurologists, or surgeons.

For lawyers, DRMA provides objective, visual medical evidence of permanent injury. Simply put, DRMA helps patients prove their injuries in court. To introduce scientific evidence in court, it must be reliable and scientifically sound. Because DRMA uses decades-old mensuration techniques approved by the American Medical Association, or AMA, it is acceptable for use in court.

 

 

The Medical Basis for DRMA

The mensuration method most commonly used today comes from the American Medical Association’s Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides). It is the gold standard for impairment evaluation.

Computerized Range of Motion Studies–Computerized Muscle Strength Testing

Our clinic employs specialized testing equipment developed by P.R.O.O.F Preferred, a Kennebec company. This equipment will allow a physician to efficiently and accurately provide powerful and objective documentation. Range of motion testing and muscle testing our critical in developing treatment plans. Insurance companies and attorneys depend on the doctor providing accurate reports that demonstrate the need for care and document improvement objectively. This technology measures and documents the patient’s range of motion and muscle strength quickly and can accurately and easily quantify functional impairment and soft tissue injury.

 

 

Outcome Assessment Summaries

Our office utilizes Outcome Assessment documentation. These are self-reported questionnaires that are completed by the patient to determine how they’re symptoms/injuries affecting the daily lives. These Outcome Assessments are considered objective evidence of the patient’s symptoms/injuries. Depending upon the patient’s situation, these questionnaires may include: Neck Disability Index, Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire, Quadruple Visual Analog Scale, Headache Disability Index, Functional Rating Index, Knee Score Questionnaire, Ankle Grading System, and many others. These questionnaires objectively measure how the injury/symptoms are affecting pain intensity, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social life, traveling and changing degrees with pain. These tests/questionnaires are use on the first visit and periodically during the course of treatment to determine progress or lack thereof. This information is vitally important in objectifying the injury/symptom to guide proper treatment and to verify how the symptoms/injury has affected the patient’s activities of daily living (ADL’S)

After a thorough evaluation is performed, our doctors will formulate a treatment plan to address the patient’s specific problems.

These treatments may include:

Traditional Chiropractic Care: Our office has over 40 years of experience in the management of acute and chronic pain. Paulk and his staff had treated thousands of patients successfully. Dr. Paulk and his staff strive to stay abreast of the most cutting-edge methods and research. You can expect professional chiropractic services on every encounter. Dr. Paulk and his staff are proficient in many chiropractic techniques that focus on the spinal adjustment. This is what makes Doctors of Chiropractic unique in their approach to treating patients with spinal complaints. The chiropractic adjustment however, may not be the only procedure that we use in managing the patient’s care.

Electrical muscle stimulation. During this chiropractic therapy, electrodes are placed on the skin that send light electrical pulses to different areas of the body with the purpose of reducing inflammation, curtailing muscle spasms and relieving back pain. In medicine, EMS is used for rehabilitation purposes, for instance in physical therapy in the prevention of disuse muscle atrophy which can occur for example after musculoskeletal injuries, such as damage to bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS). The most common form of electrical stimulation, TENS unitsfeature electrodes that are placed over the painful area with the user having the power to control the intensity of electrical stimulation. It is believed that TENS helps block the transmission of pain signals along the nerves and release the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins. This unit can be used at any time pain occurs.

Traction. A chiropractic traction massage may include the patient lying face up as a system of rollers move about the back, all the while stretching and massaging the muscles in the back. Chiropractors may use other traction devices that stretch the spine, decompress the discs and reduce the pressure on the nerve roots (a procedure known as non-surgical spinal decompression).

Cold laser therapy. With cold laser therapy, particles of energy are carried in a laser and absorbed by the cell membrane’s photo receptors after penetrating the skin surface. The cells and tissues then convert this light energy into biochemical energy, fueling a biological process that is believed to decrease swelling, reduce back pain and inflammation, and improve circulation. During treatment of the tissue with the laser beam, an interaction between cells and photons takes place, thus a photochemical reaction. Photons from the laser affect the tissue at the cellular level. The cold laser enters the tissue, alters cell membrane permeability, and at the cellular level is absorbed in the mitochondria of the cell creating physiological changes such as:

Rapid Cell Growth: The laser accelerates cellular reproduction and growth.

Faster Wound Healing: The laser stimulates fibroblast development in damaged tissue. The reduction in recovery time is an important consideration.

Increased Metabolic Activity: Helps the body increase output of specific enzymes, greater oxygen to blood cells and more effective immune response are induced by laser.

Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation: The laser reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns, or following surgery.

Anti-Inflammatory Action: The laser reduces swelling caused by bruising or inflammation of joints to give improved joint mobility.

Increased Vascular Activity: The laser stimulates lymph and blood circulation, to allow the affected tissue to have the best possible circulation.

Stimulated Nerve Function: Slow recovery of nerve function in damaged tissue can result in “dead” limbs or numb areas. Laser will speed the process of nerve cell reconnection to bring the numb areas back to life. Laser also increases the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action.

Ergonomics. During the course of chiropractic care, the chiropractor may recommend some modification such as a work station change that is applied at home and/or at work. The success or failure of obtaining patient satisfying outcome may be directly related to applying an ergonomic/job-related modification or a hobby-related irritating activity… When leg-length deficiency, flat feet and/or subtalar instability are present, the chiropractor may place a small heel lift in the shoe on the short leg side and/or prescribe corrective arch supports to help stabilize the pelvis.

Patient education. A chiropractor may advise a variety of lifestyle modifications, including diet and nutritional programs, self-care and coping strategies, to the patient experiencing lower back pain.

These methods may or may not be utilized in the course of a patient’s case management depending upon their specific needs.

 

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression: A computer-guided system that gently lengthens and decompresses the spine to provide lasting relief from chronic neck and back pain due to disc problems. This therapy has proven effective for treating disc herniations in the lower back and neck, degenerative disc, stenosis and other chronic neck and back conditions. Spinal decompression is proved extremely effective in treating sciatica as well as arm pain numbness and tingling.

Non-surgical Spinal Decompression is a comprehensive combination of treatments, which include axial/spinal decompression, and other therapies. Non-surgical Spinal Decompression has been proven most effective for acute and chronic disc conditions: degenerative disc disease, herniated disc(s), numbness and tingling of the hands/arms and legs/feet, as well as sciatica, posterior facet syndrome, spinal stenosis and failed back and neck surgeries. We customize treatment for each patient’s needs, as each patient’s health and the condition are individual. Nonsurgical spinal decompression applies an “axial” or distractive force to the injured disc levels. During treatment, intradiscal pressure is dropped from a positive to a negative. This negative pressure promotes the diffusion, or intake, of water, oxygen, and nutrients into the vertebral disc area, thereby rehydrating the degenerated disc. Repeated pressure differential promotes retraction of a herniated nucleus pulposus (the elastic core of the intervertebral disc). In other words, spinal decompression treatment reduces pressure inside of the disc. This reduces the painful herniation and the pain from other disc-related degenerative conditions. The pressure reduction results in increased blood flow to the injured area, reduction of pain, increased mobility, and tissue repair. In research studies, the conclusions were that for patients with appropriate back pain conditions, non-surgical spinal decompression is a “front-line, premier treatment.”

 

ATM2™ System: A unique exercise device that provides relief from chronic neck, back, shoulder and hip pain by restoring core muscles and increasing range of motion. Can bring back pain relief in as little as 5 minutes. Visit www.backproject.com for more information.