This is a catch-all term for the various adjunctive therapies that we use at Gerhardt Chiropractic. Dr. Dan mixes these clinically-proven therapies with his other techniques in order to maximize his corrections. Dr. Dan is open to researching and developing new combinations of therapies that show assistance in the recovery and well-being of his patients. Some of the cuurent procedures utilized at Gerhardt Chiropractic are listed below.

HEAT

Heat is very helpful in alleviating the pain associated with muscle spasm, tension, and stress. Heat increases the blood flow, along with it's healing properties, to injured areas of the body. It also promotes a relaxation response and helps with the elimination of debris through the lymph vessels. Besides that, it just plain feels good- and we are all about feeling better and feeling good at Gerhardt Chiropractic.

The heating of the tissues at our office is accomplished through two methods. One way is with our far infrared sauna. The other method is with our moist hot packs, which contour over specific areas along the body. So you see, we have the dual benefit of dry heat as well as moist heat at our disposal.

ICE

Another simple, yet effective, tool. As with all therapies, the key is in knowing when to use it. This comes from the experience and even the intuition of the doctor.

Ice is generally applied to acute, newly injured tissues that we see with sprains and strains and also with the severe pain of pinched nerve roots.

The cooling of the tissues at our office is accomplished with our Soft-touch, soft and flexible ice packs.

ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION

This an electrical device that Dr. Dan usually uses with the moist heat packs to reduce the pain associated with muscle spasm, tension, and stress.

The electrical stimulation of muscles is accomplished by placing electrodes on the belly of the target muscle. Electricity is carefully administered directly into the muscle. This causes the muscle to twitch, or alternate between contrction and relaxation. The desired effect is muscle fatigue, which reduces muscle spasm. This device is also used to strengthen weakened muscles.

INTERSEGMENTAL TRACTION

This is commonly called a spinalator, or roller-table. It is a table that you lay on- on your back. There are mechanical rollers that roll up and down your spine. The purpose of this is to produce a tractioning effect on your spine, to mechanically massage the surrounding back muscles, and to initiate a relaxation response.

The vertebrae along the spine are gently pulled apart, taking painful pressure off of the nerve roots and promoting intervertebral disc health as well. Besides that, it just plain feels good- and we are all about feeling better and feeling good at Gerhardt Chiropractic.

HYDROTHERAPY

This is another feel-good table tht is similar to the traction table described above. The difference is that this device is more like a water bed. Hot water, stored in a rubber bladder, shoots pressure onto your back through circulating pumps. Kind of like a dishwashing-machine, only you stay dry.

We keep these tables in nice, comfortable, and private rooms to further enhance the relaxing benefits of these therapies.

MICROCURRENT

See Microcurrent Therapy