Posts by Dr. Travis Elliott DC
Exercise Programs
The practice of exercise, both cardiovascular and muscle strengthening, is, coupled with regular chiropractic care, an immensely important aid to managing lower back pain. Exercise promotes maintaining properly toned muscles, better circulation, and healthy digestion. There is strong evidence supporting that exercise is nearly as effective as all other non-surgical treatments in the relief and treatment of lower back pain.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is primarily performed as a remedy for impairments and disabilities. The practice of physiotherapy promotes mobility, functional ability, quality of life, and movement through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention. This involves working with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles, providing services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. The effort to ensure this to our best ability includes providing therapeutic treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors.
Nutritional Consulting
Nutrition is an essential element to maintaining a healthy life. We believe that eating right at home as well regularly visiting your chiropractor are essential elements to maintaining good health. We offer nutritional consulting fit for your individual needs.
Payment Plans
Insurance
At our office, we accept most insurance plans (including medicare). In addition to cases of personal injury that may have resulted in back pain, neck pain, or headaches, we also accept cases of auto accidents and workers compensation. Because of the wide variety of chiropractic treatment and the numerous insurance plans that exist, we ask that you please call our office before making an appointment to see if your insurance is covered at our office. We are happy to answer any questions you may have as well as provide verification and explanation of our care plans to you for no charge.
No Insurance
We want everyone to be able to receive the benefits provided by chiropractic care. In cases where patients who have little or no chiropractic coverage, we can work with you to arrange a flexible payment that fits your financial needs. Chiropractic care is extremely cost affordable, with many patients paying directly for their visits. Choosing chiropractic care can often be cheaper than alternative methods such as invasive surgery or receiving pain medications.
Family Plans
It is important to us that proper steps be made for us to assist in helping you and your family take responsibility for your overall health and wellness. We will be sure to take our time in ensuring that your family receives the care they need. We can also create customized family plans specific to your family’s needs.
Chiropractic Care on a Budget
We believe that regular chiropractic care is one of the best avenues an individual can take to ensure a healthy and pain free life. If you feel you do not have the time or finances adequate for chiropractic care, please contact us at 408-263-8025, we want to help! Health is our top priority and we want to help you keep in control with as little stress as possible.
Active Therapeutic Movement (ATM)
Active Therapeutic Movement (ATM) is a concept developed for normalization of movement impairments related to the client’s complaints. It provides clinics with a way to integrate passive and active therapy for treatment of muscle disorders. During treatment, the patient is constantly monitored to ensure they don’t experience any symptoms. The treatment is performed until the pain is eliminated. Afterwards, various neuromuscular testament may be prescribed.
Many beneficial outcomes are expected for athletes who use ATM. These benefits include lasting, consistent, immediate, and predictable increase in range of motion and increase in strength due to optimized muscle activation patterns.
ATM is suitable for all ages.
Active Release Technique
Active release technique is a massage technique that focuses on soft tissue system/movement. It is used to treat problems related to muscle, ligament, tendon, fascia, and nerves. Most symptoms that ART is used to treat are the result of overuse of particular muscles, such conditions include:
- headaches
- back pain
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- shoulder pain
- sciatica
- plantar fasciitis
- shin splints
- knee problems
- tennis elbow
- and much more
Overused muscles often result in pulls and tears in muscle tissue. Often the result can be an accumulation of many small tears that cause pain symptoms. It also inhibits the flow of adequate oxygen to your muscles. All of these factors can result in the production of rough scar tissue on the affected area which causes the muscles to become shorter and weaker, reducing the range of motion and strength of that muscle. Numbness and tingling may also be felt in the affected area if this occurs.
ART sessions involve both examination and treatment. While the doctor uses their hands to massage the patient’s muscles, they are simultaneously evaluating the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves in that area. Specific application of tension and movement are applied to treat abnormal muscles. Over 500 specific, unique, and actually patented movements are utilized by providers of ART to identify and correct specific problems for each individual patient.
ART was developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. He now teaches and certifies ART to health care providers all over the world.
What Can I Expect on My First Visit
Patient Forms
When you first walk into our office, our receptionist will warmly greet you and ask that you complete our patient form located in the New Patient Center on this website. This form provides us with a history of your health and any other information on your current condition.
Consultation
After filling out the patient forms, you will have a consultation. During this consultation, you and the chiropractor will discuss your health, symptoms, concerns, and potential options for treatment. This purpose of the consultation is for us to learn more about you, your condition, and your expectations in order to determine how chiropractic care can assist in helping you meet those goals.
Examination
A complete chiropractic examination testing your reflexes and flexibility will be performed after your consultation. Standard neurological, orthopedic, postural, and physical tests will also be performed. All testing will only be done at the patient’s consent.
X-Ray Studies
Specific conditions may require X-rays. X-Rays can assist in the development of the most beneficial treatment plan for your condition. In some cases the X-rays alone can identify misalignments and degeneration that may be occurring. Please alert us first if you have any serious spinal conditions.
Report of Findings
Once all patient information has been collected and examinations finished, you will be provided with a detailed report of all findings. Any questions you have about how we can help you, how often you should visit, and expected cost of your treatment, will be answered. You will be notified if your condition requires treatment from any other providers and provided with the best treatment and wellness program we have to offer for your individual needs.
Treatment
At this point of your initial visit, you will be given the option of receiving your first chiropractic treatment. Spinal adjustments, soft tissues massage, and/or physical therapy may be included as part of this treatment session. Feel free to express any concerns you may have about the different styles of treatment at anytime. Chiropractic treatment should be an interactive experience.
Wellness Program
Before you leave, you will be asked if you would like to incorporate a wellness plan to assist you outside of your treatment. Ice and Heat application may be recommended if you have been experiencing pain prior to your first visit. Certain stretches may be recommended and certain activities or positions to avoid will be identified. If you would like, we can also assist you with creating healthy habits and routines in your lifestyle to assist you with maintaining good spinal alignment, exercise, diet, and to help you maintain a positive mental state. Every person is unique, requiring a custom wellness plan specifically for you.
Q & A
Is chiropractic effective?
The purpose of Chiropractic is to restore, over a period of time, your natural ability to be healthy. Your nervous system must be free of interference for it to function naturally. Chiropractic adjustments work to eliminate nerve interference by realignment misaligned vertebrae. This realignment allows for optimal nervous system function and therefore improves health.
Why should I see a Chiropractor?
Chiropractic treatment is about far than just back and neck pain. The focus of chiropractic care is to keep your body at optimal performance through regular nutrition, exercise, and adjustments. Even a wide range of conditions from diabetes to fibromyalgia can be helped through chiropractic treatment.
What is Subluxation?
A subluxation occurs when the vertebrae becomes misaligned or moved out of its normal position. A wide range of incidents can lead to a subluxation, anything from a small slip or bump to a car accident or any other sudden trauma. A subluxated vertebrae puts pressure on nerves, blood vessels, and everything else surrounding it. This causes an interruption between natural pathways that send messages between different parts of your body and your brain and keeps them from communicating properly.
How does chiropractic care work?
Chiropractic looks at the human body as a whole. The body is controlled by the brain and the brain communicates with the body through its connection with the spinal cord and nerves that go through the whole body. Chiropractic focuses on keeping this connection at its peak, treating the source of any problem that may be interrupting this connection.
In the chiropractic world, nutrition and health take importance over drugs and medicine. Drugs and medicine only serve as bandaids, while nutrition and overall health loo at the big picture, keeping the body as a whole in optimal health, and giving it the strength it needs to avoid acquiring anu pain or ailments in the first place.
What is a chiropractic adjustment? Is it safe?
The objective of adjustments, also called spinal manipulation, is to realign vertebrae that may have moved out of place due to anything ranging from normal daily activity or trauma such as a car accident. Without proper alignment of the spine, the flow between brain and nerves can’t function properly, keeping the body from its peek function. Realignment is attained by through gentle applications of pressure on the spine.
Joint cavitation is what occurs when you hear cracking sounds during an adjustment. Gases such as oxygen and nitrogen leave the joint during cavitation, causing the sound.
What can I expect from my visit to a chiropractor?
The first objective when you visit our office is to reduce any pain you may already be experiencing. While the mount of visits per week and longevity of these visits varies depending on the severity of the underlying condition, this step usually requires 2-3 visits per week for anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks. The next goal is to restore your body to 100% of its functioning capabilities. It is during this phase that muscle and tissues are given time to heal more completely, thus preventing injuries in the future. This phase requires visits for chiropractic care and/or adjustments around 4-8 times per month for anywhere from 6 to 24 months, depending on the severity of your initial problem and your overall health. Once you are no longer experiencing pain and your body has fully healed, coming in for periodic chiropractic adjustments is important to ensure that you avoid any problems in the future. Based on your lifestyle and goals, this final phase requires a quick visit to your chiropractor anywhere from 1 to 4 times per month.
Types of Massage Therapy
Burn Scar Massage – Burn scar massage, as an aid to traditional medical treatment, is a means of helping burn victims heal more quickly and control the development of scar tissue. Many doctors encourage burn scar massage therapy to their patients as part of their recovery plan. It is an effective tool in healing and revitalizing skin.
Deep Tissue – Deep tissue massage differs from most relaxing massages in that it involves more intense muscle manipulation that is proven to increase healing, restore mobility, and relieve chronic pain. Before the massage, the patient will be asked about the pains they are feeling and what they expect to gain from receiving the massage. Deep tissue massage works to break down muscle adhesions and relax rigid muscle tissue . Patients may experience discomfort and are encouraged to keep their doctor informed on how they feel throughout treatment. Discomfort pass within the next day.
Lymphatic Massage – The purpose of Lymphatic massage is to reduce muscle swelling and increase blood flow to ensure optimal function of your body’s lymphatic system. The purpose of the lymphatic system is to detoxify bodily fluids before they are circulated into the blood stream. Toxemia and swelling can occur if the Lymphatic system is not functioning properly.
Myofascial Release – Myofascial release is a soft tissue therapy for the treatment of skeletal muscle immobility and pain. It involves applying gentle pressure for a sustained amount of time to areas with Myofascial connective tissue restrictions. When these muscles become relaxed, it increases venous and lymphatic drainage. It is an excellent treatment for somatic dysfunction and relieves the pain that accompanies it as well as restoring range of motion.
Pregnancy Massage – Pregnancy massage is especially gentle so that it will not harm the baby or mother. It focuses on the areas most affected by pregnancy, such as the feet and back. It is recommended that patients not receive pregnancy massage during the first trimester of their pregnancy. It reduces stress and anxiety for the mother as well as relief from common aches and pains.
Rehabilitative Massage – Rehabilitative massage is designed to assist in the healing of injuries and restore full range of motion to the body. The focus of the massage is to restore the muscles in the body to their natural state. Various types of rehabilitation massage include Active Release, Myofascial Release, and Neuromuscular Therapy. These techniques locate the source of tension and spasms in your body and work to treat them.
Relaxation Massage – Relaxation massage is exactly as the title describes, a massage to provide you with relaxation. Often performed in a dim setting with candles and scented oils, Relaxation massage is designed to be a total experience. During the massage, the therapist gently works the upper layers of muscle tissue to provide maximum relaxation. Relaxation massage is very gentle and less intense than most other massage styles.
Sports Massage — Designed to increase flexibility and prevent injuries, sports massage works on the connective tissue and deep muscle structures of your body. Utilizing deep strokes, hard strokes, and applying finger pressure, the application of sports massage is designed to specifically target areas that obtain injury due to athletic activities.
Swedish massage – The purpose of Swedish massage is to release the stagnant toxins stored in muscle fibers. This causes the blood circulation in the body to increase to a rate generally 4 times more than normal. The result is the flow is fresh oxygenated blood into the muscles, boosting the energy levels of your body.
Thai Massage – Thai massage consists of easing the patient into various stretches that deepen muscle relaxation. It is encouraged to that patients wear comfortable clothes that allow maximum movement when receiving Thai massage. Thai massage is relaxing yet also vigorously stimulating.
Warm Stone Massage – Warm stone massage utilizes warm river stones that are placed on specific areas to increase circulation and relax muscles. This treatment combined with manual massage is an exceptional way to relax and ease pain.
Youth Massage – Massage is beneficial for children of all ages. It helps sooth infants while also boosting the immune system of young children and helping reduce their stress. It has also proven to help children maintain focus and self-control in school, making it an excellent choice for children with ADHD.
Recommended For (massage therapy)
Chiropractic Massage Therapy is an excellent avenue for treatment and relief from pain due to a number of different issues, including:
- arthritis
- TMJ
- immune system issues
- muscle spasms
- insomnia
- fibromyalgia
- and many more
Chiropractic massage is also an excellent way of removing waste and toxins from your body.