Physical Therapy
Unique, and critical to, long and short term patient success in this office is the widely varied therapy available at Atlantic Spine Clinic. We have collaborated with Orthopedic Surgeons, leading personal trainers, champion Cross-Fit trainers, yoga instructors, and physical therapists to develop a unique 3-Phase Rehabilitative Exercise system. Therapeutic Ultrasound, Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Reciprocal Inhibition, Inversion Therapy, Dry Needling, and Intersegmental Traction are just some of the services that augment our thorough strategy to treat not just the pain, but also the cause of the pain. Every treatment plan involves Physical Therapy that is specific to each individual's particular abilities and needs.
Physical Therapy
In keeping with the strategy to reduce pain, restore mobility, and increase strength, therapeutic or rehabilitative exercises are prescribed to every patient during treatment in our office. Our Physical Therapy focuses on the individual biomechanical imbalances of each patient, which will be evaluated and explained both at the inception of a treatment plan, and throughout a course of care. Every treatment plan is specific to each patient's particular ability and needs, and each Phase of our Physical Therapy is performed to achieve a measurable outcome. Most of our rehabilitation goals are accomplished within 6-8 weeks, at which point the patient is given individual home care instructions to maintain the corrections made during treatment. At Atlantic Spine Clinic, this specifically tiered approach to rehabilitation, complemented by acute Chiropractic and Medical care, is what gets our patients feeling better faster and with more longevity.
Phase I: Exercises focus on mobility, stretching, and range of motion. Patients will learn effective stretching techniques, specific and unique protocol using foam rollers and exercise balls, along with floor and standing exercises.
Goal: increase mobility.
Phase II: Rehabilitation exercises introduce stability and strengthening activities. Patients will learn effective and challenging core strengthening techniques using body weight and resistance; balance and neuromuscular techniques will also be addressed.
Goal: increase strength.
Phase III: Rehabilitation focuses on core development, initiation and firing of accessory muscles, as well as the timing of core activation during dynamic movement. Patients will learn a variety of sport/activity specific exercises to continue during and after treatment in this office.
Goal: create stability and core strength.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound can be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. At Atlantic Spine Clinic, we utilize the therapeutic form of ultrasound to effectively treat pain, muscle spams, and tendonitis, by using a probe with gel on the surface of the injured area to apply sound waves painlessly to the tissue at the desired depth under the skin. Goals: reduce swelling and inflammation, reduce pain, increase blood flow.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use for the treatment of pain and movement impairments. The technique uses a "dry" needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle. Goals: reduce pain, increase blood flow, relax muscle tissue.
Intersegmental Traction
IST is a painless and relaxing way to induce mobility and movement into the spine. This helps stretch and add elasticity to the spine, and induce an increase in blood supply to the region. Goals: increase mobility, increase blood flow, relax muscle tissue.