- Activator Method
- Acupuncture
- ART (Active Release Technique)
- Chiropractic Care
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Corrective Exercises
- Custom Orthotics
- Dry Needling
- Electrical Stimulation
- Graston Technique
- Kinesio Taping
- Massage Therapy
- Myofascial Release
- Pediatric Chiropractic
- Physiotherapy
- Pre/Postnatal Chiropractic
- Ultrasound
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Sports Medicine
- Fascial Manipulation®
Activator Method
The Activator is the most widely used chiropractic instrument. Studies show improvement with the Activator Method. It also has been compared to other techniques and proven to be just as effective. This means that for many patients an Activator adjustment could very well lead to the same outcome as a manual adjustment. This offers chiropractors and patients an alternative to manual adjusting when it is preferred for clinical reasons.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an old healing practice of traditional Chinese medicine dating back over 4,000 years. It still remains effective today as a way to strengthen the body rather than merely treating symptoms. It is primarily used to relieve pain as well as treat other conditions. More than 3 million Americans and 200,000 children in the U.S. have had acupuncture to help relieve a symptom or condition. Because of its low side effects, it has been the treatment of choice for many doctors across the country. It is even more popular in other countries.
ART (Active Release Technique)
Active Release Technique (ART) is a soft tissue therapy designed to rid injured areas of scar tissue. Here at Valley Chiropractic & Sports Medicine we incorporate ART in our treatment of musculoskeletal disorders to remedy injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, rotator cuff injuries, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, tennis elbow, headaches, and back pain. All of theses conditions tend to have one thing in common: the result of an overused muscle.
We are all prone to over-using muscles while at work and in our daily lives, no matter the occupation. Overuse Syndrome is common in our society. As a result of our work duties, athletic events and daily lives, we are all at risk of developing this syndrome due to repetitive stresses on the same structures. These stresses may not be painful at first, but the body learns to compensate for long term use resulting in the soft tissue adapting and changing over time.
Chiropractic Care
We specialize in correcting your body’s misalignments. Our goal is to ensure that your spine and the rest of your body are working harmoniously. To do so, we will help you develop a plan that will require light stretching, some exercise, chiropractic care, and a healthy diet.
Chiropractic Adjustments
A chiropractic adjustment can make you feel so much better. Your body does not want to be out of alignment, and that’s exactly what an adjustment can help address. It is also known as chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation, or spinal manipulation. The adjustment refers to the manipulation of the vertebrae that have abnormal movements and are not functioning properly. A chiropractic adjustment will assist in fixing these issues.
The goal of chiropractic treatment is to reduce the subluxation, increase the range of motion, reduce nerve irritability, and improve mobility. Our compassionate and qualified chiropractor will work with you to relieve this pain and get you back to being pain free every single day.
Although many people visit their chiropractor and have an adjustment when something feels out of alignment, a regular visit will help you avoid any pain in the future and will keep your body feeling great all day long.
If you are having one of those days when you are not in the best mood, an adjustment may actually help. Your body will feel much better, which will naturally improve your mood.
Corrective Exercises
Corrective exercises are the use of bodily movements and/or postures to restore desirable changes in diseased or injured tissues. The corrective exercises are movement strategies that minimize or eliminate compensation. Corrective exercises should precede more integrated exercises, because they can cue the patient’s motor system to respond in a more desirable way and assist in removing or improving biomechanical constraints.
Custom Orthotics
Custom foot orthotics are designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position. They look similar to insoles, but are biomedical appliances that are custom made to correct your specific foot imbalance. The plastic body of the custom orthotic helps to re-align the foot while you walk. We understand that everyone is different, which is why custom foot orthotics are made just for you.
Dry Needling
Dry needling aims to address neuromuscular conditions, relieve pain, and improve range of motion. During your scheduled appointment, we will insert a small needle into specified areas of your body depending on your unique and individual needs.
Dry needling follows evidence based guidelines, recommended point locations, and dosages for treatment of specific conditions. Our goal is to improve pain control and reduce muscle tension through this technique.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrotherapy is an alternative pain management treatment option that involves the use of mild electromagnetic pulses to provide relief for the patient. This treatment option can dull pain, repair tissue, strengthen muscles, and even improve your blood circulation.
Graston Technique
The Graston Technique® (GT) is an innovative, evidence-based form of therapy that utilizes an instrument to assist in soft tissue mobilization. This enables clinicians to effectively and efficiently break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. GT utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. The use of GT instruments along with therapeutic exercises helps restore pain-free movement and function. The Graston Technique® was originally developed by athletes to treat soft tissue injuries. It has grown in popularity as an alternative approach in treating acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.
Kinesio Taping
Kinesiology Taping is a precise rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints. This technique allows the body’s normal range of motion as well as providing extending soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within the clinical setting. Kinesio tape is latex-free and hypoallergenic which makes it “skin friendly” for patients with sensitive or fragile skin; such as, patients with diabetes, fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being. There are many types of massage therapy methods (also called modalities). People seek massage therapy for a variety of reasons; for example, to reduce stress and anxiety, to relax muscles, to rehabilitate injuries, to reduce pain and to promote overall health and wellness.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is an intervention administered to various patients to alleviate pain or restrictive tissue problems. The release treatment usually involves the application of gentle or moderate pressure on the connective tissues and leads to relaxation and eventual elongation of the fascia therein. These restrictions are often caused by traumatic accidents or inflammations of the soft tissue. Some patients get them as an after-effect of surgery. They always result in muscular tension and spasm of sharp pain. They cannot be detected through standard diagnosis tests like the x-ray scan. It is essential for a patient to visit a doctor or physiotherapy expert once they notice restriction of movement in the hip area or shoulder. Painful backs can also be a sign of the restriction and can only be treated through the Myofascial Release procedures.
If you have never undergone a Myofascial Release procedure before, you might wonder what will be done. There is no need to panic any way, since it is a minor therapy intervention meant to alleviate any pain that could be as a result of fascia muscle pain and restriction. Here is what you can expect if you visit a standard therapist for your myofascial pain treatment.
- The therapist might have to interview you about what you think the cause of the pain could be. They may also palpitate the affected area to identify the particular fascia that needs to be massaged and given due attention during the procedure.
- A standard treatment should last anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour, but should not last longer than that as that may lead to soreness and fatigue.
- You may experience considerable relief, but if the case is severe, you may need to go for another session or two in the subsequent days.
- The treatment does not require the use of any equipment and creams or gels. The therapist will only need their hands to manipulate and apply slight pressure to the trigger points and affected muscles.
Pediatric Chiropractic
Chiropractic care is not just for adults. In fact, more and more parents are seeing the many benefits of their children seeing a chiropractor every single day. Some of the benefits are improved sleep, improved behavior and attitude, and improved immune system function. Children encounter many physical stresses in their life that you may not realize. These stresses can cause your child’s spine to have issues in growth and development.
Physiotherapy
It is important to understand that often times where the pain presents is not the area that needs to be treated. The pain may be due to that area compensating and being over-worked from another area not pulling its weight. Our rehabilitation program includes strength, flexibility and agility training as well as training focused on coordination of body parts and motion to prepare the individual to return to full participation.
Pre/Postnatal Chiropractic
Here at Valley Chiropractic & Sports Medicine, we offer a conservative approach to treating pregnant women. Our prenatal care is gentle and safe. We aim to alleviate the stress and strains of pregnancy while improving comfort for both the mother and baby. We understand the physical changes that come with pregnancy, and we offer relief without using any drugs.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound therapy is a chiropractic treatment used to help reduce muscle pain and increase range of motion. By using sound waves, we are able to stimulate deep inside the tissue. This minimizes stiffness, swelling, and pain while also promoting circulation, and pain-free movement.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive form of bodywork that focuses on the craniosacral system, which includes the bones of the skull, spine, and pelvis, as well as the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The therapy involves light touch and subtle manipulations to release restrictions and tension in the body, promote relaxation, and enhance the body’s natural healing processes. Craniosacral Therapy is believed to help with a wide range of conditions, including headaches, neck and back pain, anxiety, and depression, as well as improve overall health and well-being. It is considered a complementary therapy and is often used in conjunction with other forms of healthcare.
Sports Medicine
As a certified trainer and experienced high school coach, in addition to being a chiropractor, Dr. Brett Inlow, DC, brings vast knowledge and a unique perspective to his practice of sports medicine at Valley Chiropractic & Sports Medicine in the Simsbury, West Simsbury, Canton and Avon areas of Connecticut. Dr. Inlow offers customized sports medicine treatment for both competitive athletes and recreational players throughout West Simsbury and neighboring communities.
Fascial Manipulation – Stecco Method®
Fascial Manipulation® is a systematic approach developed to treat the fascial system and related disorders based on decades of research conducted at one of the world’s oldest universities, the University of Padova. This approach to treating fascia has spread worldwide with doctors practicing this method all over Europe, Asia, Africa, South and North America. There are only two certified Fascial Manipulation® Specialists in Connecticut and Dr McDermott is one of them.
normal glide of the fascial layers is restricted. These points are organized and related to other structures and points within the fascial system as discovered by years of anatomical research.
Research has shown benefit in treating patients with the following disorders:
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Non-specific low back pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Acute, subacute and chronic mechanical neck pain including subacute whiplash disorders
- Hyperkyphosis of the thoracic spine
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMJD
- Chronic muscle instability
- Chronic pain associated with muscle stiffness
- Shoulder Impingement or ‘Frozen Shoulder’
- Knee Pain including patellar tendinopathy
- Chronic ankle instability
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Complex Regional Pain Syndromes
- Nerve entrapment disorders such as:
- Carpal tunnel
- Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
- Sciatica
- Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)
- Improvement of post surgical recovery from
- Hip Arthroplasty
- C-section pain