Chiropractic Services

One of Dr. Brenner’s specialties, fascial release techniques are manual muscle work in which the Chiropractor gently applies consistent pressure to specific areas over the patient’s clothing. In doing so, the Chiropractor seeks to break up connective tissue, causing muscles to relax, and improving blood and lymphatic circulation.

When connective tissues or skeletal muscles are constricted, the blood flow cannot reach specific areas. This is due to constrictions within the fascia, a web of tissue spanning the entire body that supports the muscles. Constrictions within the fascia cause painful or tight sensations in specific areas of the body, known as myofascial, or simply fascial, pain. This pain is often deep within the muscles. Difficulty sleeping is another common symptom of fascial pain.

To break up the connective tissue, the Chiropractor applies consistent force with low pressure to these painful areas. This causes the fascia to elongate, relieving the muscles of pain, and improving blood and lymphatic circulation.

Fascial release techniques are commonly used to treat muscle-related injuries, loss of flexibility, or any ongoing pain related to soft tissue, among other conditions. In many cases, patients who favor one side of the body over the other or experience muscle pressure that leads to pain are treated with fascial release techniques.

For optimal pain relief results, patients receiving fascial release therapy should also engage in heat or ice therapy, and perform stretch exercises.

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A trigger point, sometimes referred to as a “knot”, is a nodule within a tight muscle that causes pain locally and sends pain to other parts of the body. For example, pain due to trigger points in the neck may eventually cause pain in the head. Because they can send pain to other locations beyond where the point of origin, trigger point pains and aches may create an odd sensation, different from standard muscle pain.

Before taking any action to address it, Dr. Brenner will perform a full evaluation to determine the precise source of the pain, as well as the referred location. By first alleviating the source of the pain, the Chiropractor can mitigate and eventually eliminate the transmitted pain. When administering manual trigger point therapy, the Chiropractor applies compression to the source of the pain. This, in turn, will release adhesions, causing the muscles to regain their full range of motion over time.

There are a few primary causes of trigger point pains. In many cases, those who are physically training and putting stress on one particular muscle or part of the body will develop trigger point pains. In other cases, mild, day-to-day overuse of certain body parts (and consequently muscles) can cause trigger point pains as well. For example, the repetitive action of typing in an office setting may at some point cause trigger point pains. Finally, trigger point therapies are also effective for patients involved in auto accidents.

Several conditions normally recognized as individual pains are sometimes the result of trigger point pains. Appendicitis, sciatica, chronic jaw pain, and other conditions may result from irritated trigger points.

While they may not be the basis for any one treatment, trigger point therapies are often used as one phase of treatment.

The instrument-assisted soft tissue technique is often used to detect and break adhesions that are found in sore muscles as well as tendons and ligaments.

When muscles and joints become stiff due to over activity, the surrounding tendons often become inflamed. This tightness and inflammation can lead to the development of scar tissue, also referred to as an adhesion in the context of Chiropractic. These adhesions cause the knot-like feeling that lead many people to seek treatment in the first place. They also prevent patients from enjoying a full range of motion through physical obstruction in the muscle. Left untreated, these adhesions will cause more scar tissue to form, compounding the injury and leading to even more physical restriction.

Before implementing any treatment, Dr. Brenner will thoroughly investigate the injured area and determine the best recourse. In addition to his standard full-body evaluation procedure, Dr. Brenner will also use a convex-shaped tool to lightly scrape over the areas surrounding the pain to determine the exact location of the scar tissue. After locating the scar tissue, the Chiropractor will then perform a cross-friction massage. This process involves rubbing the instruments against the grain of the adhesions, with the goal of causing small doses of controlled trauma within the muscle, which causes a breakdown of the scar tissue. This, in turn, causes a heightened blood flow, which catalyzes the healing process. It is normal for patients to experience slight discomfort during these procedures, and this discomfort is not indicative of an ineffective procedure.

The instrument-assisted soft tissue technique is often useful for patients who are experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, shin splints, and other soft tissue-related injuries. It is also a natural solution to tightness within the affected muscles, and for many patients is preferable to anti-inflammatory medication. In some cases, this treatment can alleviate everyday pains that patients may have simply accepted.

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Heat therapy is a Chiropractic technique that both comforts and provides back pain relief to the patient by soothing the muscles, thereby easing the stress that causes pain in the first place.

Especially helpful for lower back pain, heat therapy restores the full function of the spine and its interconnected pathways by improving circulation. This lack of circulation causes tension within the muscles and soft tissues in the lower back. By dilating the blood vessels within muscles to surround and support the lumbar spine, heat therapy can help heal damaged tissue. It also improves sensory receptors in the skin. This leads to a decreased transmission of pain signals to the brain. While stretching the soft tissue will relieve pain, it will also help to improve flexibility, enabling patients to take an active approach in their own recovery. Regardless of the method, heat therapy should never reach unbearably hot temperatures. A warm temperature is ideal, as this will increase the effectiveness of the therapy without causing any harm. Additionally, heat therapy is more effective when administered for specific periods of time (though this should be closely monitored).

There are several methods to administer heat therapy in the context of Chiropractic care, each of them falling into the category of either dry or moist heat. Moist heat methods are generally more effective. By using hot moist packs, the Chiropractor can focus on providing relief by improving the heat penetration into the muscles. Alternative moist heat methods include hot baths, steamed towels, and other heating methods that involve water/moisture. For example, directing the water jet in a hot tub at one’s back will provide much-needed pressure and pain relief.

Heat therapy should not, however, be the exclusive method of treatment for any patient. Instead, it should be part of an overall strategy that involves different approaches, as recommended by the Chiropractor.

Preexisting conditions may prohibit some patients from using heat therapy. These include dermatitis, diabetes, deep vein thrombosis, and peripheral vascular disease, as well as the presence of any open wounds.

Cryotherapy, or ice therapy, is a natural pain relief solution for a variety of acute injuries that cause swelling.

After experiencing a back-related injury that causes soreness or strain, the back tends to become inflamed/swollen. The primary objective of ice therapy is to reduce swelling and inflammation, consequently reducing back pain, while also healing tissue damage. The cold temperatures also serves to temporarily numb the sore tissues, in a way similar to local anesthetics. Furthermore, ice therapy prevents the transmission of pain signals by slowing the nerve impulses. By forcing veins to contract in cold temperatures, cryotherapy initially reduces circulation. After removing the ice, the veins will dilate beyond their previous width, causing circulation to vastly improve. Ideally, cryotherapy should be administered shortly after the injury occurs, as this is the window of time in which the treatment will be most effective.

The Chiropractor will perform ice therapy by administering ice packs or performing ice massages on the affected area. Massages generally last around five minutes, as extended periods of contact with ice may lead to ice burns. Additionally, to prevent direct contact with ice, there should always be a protective barrier between the ice and the skin.

Patients with preexisting conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cold allergies, paralysis, and Raynaud’s Syndrome should not be treated with ice therapy.

Pelvic blocking seeks to realign the pelvis by placing blocks beneath the pelvis, which relieves stress in the area as well as the low back and improves the overall functionality of the entire body.

Also known as the SI joint, the sacroiliac joint is located adjacent to the bottom of the spine, and connects the pelvis to the sacrum. When disturbed, this joint can cause lower back pain. Generally, SI joint pain is caused by either excessive or limited movement. While Chiropractic techniques are generally gentle, as are most forms of natural pain management, pelvic blocking enables the Chiropractor to take an especially gentle approach. By implementing the pelvic blocking technique with precision, the Chiropractor seeks to restore the full range of motion of the SI joint, and eliminate lower back pain.

Before initiating treatment, the Chiropractor will conduct a full body examination to find the exact source of the pain. If the SI joint results in a resurgence of the pain that the patient had initially experienced, then this is a positive indication that the SI joint is the source of the back pain.

Based on the patient’s height, unique back condition, and the extent of the SI joint dysfunction, the Chiropractor will strategically position pelvic blocks under the patient’s body. With this technique, gravity is used to reposition the joint, and eliminate back pain. In doing so, the Chiropractor can avoid using force that might cause discomfort.

With the correct approach, the pelvic blocking technique can correct the contortion of the SI joint, as well as the resulting back pain.

During cold laser therapy, the Chiropractor seeks to accelerate the healing process and increase overall body functionality by employing specific wavelengths of light to stimulate mitochondrial growth.

Andre Mester initially applied Einstein’s light amplification theory in medicine. As such, he is considered by many to be the father of laser therapy. Modern laser therapy, however, is much different than the technology that was initially used. Using a handheld device that is approximately the size of a flashlight, the Chiropractor will place the laser over the damaged area for a predetermined amount of time. This can range from as short as 30 seconds to as long as several minutes, based on the intensity and size of the injury, as well as the intensity of the laser. Before beginning this treatment, the Chiropractor will conduct a full back examination to determine the cause of the pain, and the ideal treatment zone.

By directing these light waves in varying intensities, the photons transfer through the various layers of the skin, all the way through to the tissue fat. These light waves have the potential to travel between 2-5 centimeters beneath the skin. After traveling into the intended area, the cells begin to use the light to catalyze the healing process. With careful aiming and diligence, this practice will help the cells to heal, and result in an overall reduction of pain.

Also known as low level laser therapy, or LLLT, cold laser therapy can be used to heal a variety of pain conditions, ranging from acute to chronic. These include arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as back, neck, knee and fibromyalgia pain.

When administered properly, cold laser therapy will have ample restorative benefits, without the side effects that come with other treatments.

Car accidents, falls, occupational injuries and other severe accidents can all have a significant impact on one’s life. In addition to the physical pain and the mental trauma, the inconvenience of not being able to complete daily tasks can be a significant obstruction for patients.

However, the road to relief is far from being the same for every patient. Even those who have similar injuries did not have the exact same preexisting spinal conditions, meaning that the injury could have impacted a slightly different part of the body, or that the injured tissue could result in a different source of pain. Because of this, it is imperative that each patient receives individualized care that takes their injuries into account. Before performing any treatment, Dr. Brenner performs a full body examination to discover the source(s) of the pain.

Chiropractic care is the best way to address a severe injury, as natural pain management does not have any undesirable side effects, or create potential for the treatment to regress in the future.

Brenner Chiropractic helps rehabilitate accident victims by providing specialized and individualized care. After locating the source of the pain, Dr. Brenner will outline a recovery plan including several different components of Chiropractic care. Contacting a Chiropractor immediately after the injury occurs is essential, as these injuries could evolve, or result in other injuries, if left untreated.

Brenner Chiropractic can help accident victims to regain their full range of mobility through providing specialized care on a patient-by-patient basis.

A technique through which the chiropractor quickly applies low-pressure thrusts with either his hands or by using a table or block. Diversified adjustment can be used to treat many areas of the body, and will cause the cavitation of a joint, or a popping noise that indicates relief.

Diversified adjustment is the most common chiropractic technique in current practice. It is practically synonymous with Chiropractic.

As the name indicates, diversified adjustment is a technique that can be applied to several different areas of the spine. While it is performed on the spine, diversified adjustment can be used to treat pain that originates in several different areas of the body.

Either with his hands or using a table or block, the chiropractor will quickly apply low-pressure thrusts to the patient’s spine. In doing so, he seeks to restore the natural alignment of the spine.

As it is the most basic form of Chiropractic, no instruments are required for diversified adjustment. Because of this, the Chiropractor can better target the specific locations that require therapy.

Contact our office today to schedule a chiropractic assessment and schedule an appointment.

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First performed by Dr. Cox on a self-designed Chiropractic table, flexion distraction seeks to heal spinal misalignment by decompressing the spine and increasing overall spinal motion.

To perform flexion distraction spinal therapy, the Chiropractor uses a table with maneuverable, moving parts to separate the different parts of the body. During flexion distraction therapy, patients lie on their stomachs. By slowly and steadily moving the torso and legs forward and backward, as well as up and down, the table provides the Chiropractor with access to different articulated sections of the spine. The Chiropractor then applies slow, rhythmic pressure to particular parts of the spine for spinal therapy. Because each patient’s reaction to and tolerance for this treatment is unique, the Chiropractor will respond to body reactions and verbal input from the patient to adjust the pressure accordingly. By applying this gentle, rhythmic pressure in a deliberate and controlled manner, the Chiropractor increases the disc height between vertebrae. This negative pressure pulls bulging disks back into place within the spine, allowing it to return to its original alignment and regain its original range of motion.

Flexion distraction is a comforting technique, and rarely causes any pain. It is also a pleasant alternative to surgical operations or other techniques, which can be uncomfortable and require weeks of recovery time. Given that it is an extremely gentle Chiropractic treatment, Flexion Distraction is particularly helpful for those with sensitive or fragile backs and bone structures, including pregnant women (through the second trimester), arthritic patients, and people recovering from surgery or currently in rehabilitation.

Rockville Centre Chiropractor Dr. Brenner performs the flexion distraction technique to help decompress patients’ spines and restore motion capability.

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Instrument Assisted Adjustment, also known as the Activator Method, is a Chiropractic technique in which the Chiropractor seeks to restore spinal mobility with a small, handheld device called an activator. This technique is used to treat back and neck pain, as well as headaches.

An activator is one of the most useful tools in a Chiropractor’s arsenal, as it allows him or her to apply gentle force to specific vertebrae within the spine to restore full motion. The tool itself is a spring-loaded instrument that delivers deliberate yet quick impulses to particular points within the vertebrae. In doing so, the Chiropractor also seeks to increase the overall rate of recovery.

The primary advantages of an activator are speed and accuracy. Because force is being applied and removed at such a quick rate, the surrounding muscles are less likely to tense up in reaction, making for a more effective treatment. By using a handheld device that applies the force directly, the Chiropractor is able to devote his or her attention to other variables, such as the ideal location to apply force. The small tip of this instrument allows the force to be contained with a precise, defined area, preventing pressure from travelling to other areas.

During Instrument Assisted Adjustment, the patient remains in a still, face-down position, without the maneuvering that is common during other forms of Chiropractic care. The Chiropractor will move from the lower back to the neck, detecting the most stressed areas within the vertebrae. Patients should expect a light tap, followed immediately by a quick thrust.