Services
To help as many people as possible achieve wellness naturally and to educate them how to live a healthier, more active life.
ART® is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.
How do overuse conditions occur?
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
• acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc),
• accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
• not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia).
Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.
What is an ART treatment like?
Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.
These treatment protocols – over 500 specific moves – are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach.
What is the history of Active Release Techniques?
ART has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Dr. Leahy noticed that his patients’ symptoms seemed to be related to changes in their soft tissue that could be felt by hand. By observing how muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves responded to different types of work, Dr. Leahy was able to consistently resolve over 90% of his patients’ problems. He now teaches and certifies health care providers all over the world to use ART.
Applied kinesiology (AK) is an examination system that augments a doctor’s standard examination with the evaluation of structural, chemical, and mental aspects of health. It began when a chiropractor, Dr. George J. Goodheart, Jr., found a technique that could immediately make a weak muscle strong. From this initial experience, testing muscles in a precise manner became routine in his examination protocol. He called the system applied kinesiology. Kinesiology is the study of the anatomy, physiology, and mechanics of body movement. Applied kinesiology makes use of these basic sciences in evaluating health. It was soon found that all muscle weakness did not respond to the initial technique. Investigation of other causes of muscle weakness and their correction developed into what is currently the practice of applied kinesiology.
Muscle testing is not new; it has been and is an important part of standard neurologic examination to determine how the nervous system controls muscles. AK has found through muscle testing that many aspects influencing health can cause muscle function to change from normal. As with Dr. Goodheart’s initial technique, when proper treatment is applied the muscle immediately returns to normal function.
From the beginning of health care history, doctors have observed what can be called the body language of health and disease. Examples of body language are skin color, eye movement, fingernails, posture, fat deposition location, hair quality, body movement, and other factors the astute doctor observes, feels, hears, and smells during an examination. The doctor combines this information with the findings from physical, neurologic, orthopedic, mental, laboratory, and other assessments to determine what is causing the loss of optimal health. With applied kinesiology a doctor has expanded body language analysis and testing that broaden the information used to make a decision about a patient’s health problem.
Triad of Health
Applied kinesiology stresses that there are three factors forming an equilateral triangle that must be kept in balance to maintain health: Structural, Chemical, and Mental/Spiritual: a triad of health. If one or more of the triad become deficient, diminished health results. Failure to correct the deficiency causes further imbalances; eventually all three sides of the triad become involved and there is further decline in health.
Depending on a doctor’s background, education, and general interest there is a tendency to concentrate on one side of the triad. Although this approach may often improve symptoms, it often leaves important causes of the problem undetected and uncorrected.
We analyze the biomechanics of the musculo-skeletal system and correct the function of the joint and muscular components for proper motion. We work with athletes from all sports, including tennis, hockey, running, cycling, golf, rock climbing, swimming, bowling and more.
We use state of the art techniques such as Applied Kinesiology to diagnose inhibition and over facilitation of muscles which may cause improper movement and pain. ART (Active Release Technique), Graston Technique and percussion are used to balance muscles. Chiropractic Adjustment restores optimal joint motion enhancing performance and removing nervous system interference.
Our Performance Enhancement Package includes:
• extensive consultation
• gait analysis
• postural assessment
• trigger point management
• hydration analysis
• pH testing
• physiologic stress test
• 10 appointment visits
When you think about typical manual (by hand) chiropractic adjusting, Diversified is of which you are thinking. Diversified Technique is the classic chiropractic technique, developed by D.D. Palmer, DC, the founder of chiropractic. Diversified Technique was refined and developed by the late Otto Reinert, DC, to address biomechanical failure in each section of the spine, as it relates to specific subluxation. The focus is on restoration to normal biomechanical function, and correction of subluxation. In addition, Diversified methods have been developed to adjust extremity (arm and leg) joints, allowing for beneficial applications in treating sports injuries and other injuries. Diversified adjusting of the spine uses specific lines of drives for all manual thrusts, allowing for specificity in correcting mechanical distortions of the spine.
The Thompson Technique utilizes a “Segmental Drop Table” to enhance the motion force imparted toward the segment or area to be adjusted. Dr. Thompson introduced the concept of adding motion by inventing a headpiece that would drop away as the adjustive thrust was applied to the vertebral segment. He was granted a patent in 1955 on his concept and thus was born the Palmer-Thompson drop headpiece. Since the new idea was such a success, Dr. Thompson then went on to invent a table with drop pieces for adjusting the dorsal, lumbar and pelvic area. This came about in 1957 and from there the rest is history. Today there are numerous manufacturers of drop-piece tables used around the world.
Flexion-Distraction is an effective, efficient and economical method of disc decompression using a specially designed chiropractic table that bends the client at the waist (and can provide specific head motion) facilitating isolated vertebral separation. This technique works well for clients with current or past disc problems, as well as a prophylactic means to aid in the prevention of disc problems in those predisposed to such conditions.
Innovated by James M. Cox, DC DACBR in the late 1960’s, Flexion-Distraction or Cox® Technic (not a typo) is utilized by chiropractors and osteopaths around the world to treat low back and leg pain, neck and arm pain as well as other spinal pain conditions. Cox® Technic continues to evolve. Cox® Distraction Decompression Adjustment & Manipulation is a gentle chiropractic adjusting technique procedure for BACK and NECK pain. Its procedures were established by Dr. James M. Cox and have evolved over the past 40+ years due to the many efforts of researchers and fellow chiropractors. Cox® Technic is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions don’t demand surgical intervention or back surgery. Cox® Technic may help relieve pain from disc herniations, failed back surgery syndromes, leg pain, sciatica, neck pain, arm pain, ruptured discs, herniated discs, slipped discs, low back pain, facet syndrome, bulging discs, spondylolisthesis, transitional segment, rib subluxations, thoracic spine pain, scoliosis, sprain/strain, disc prolapse, etc. Acute back pain and spinal pain as well as sub-acute back pain and chronic back pain can also be addressed.
Changing the way soft tissue injuries are treated.
Graston Technique® is an innovative, patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The Technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.
Graston Technique® is an interdisciplinary treatment used by more than 3000 clinicians; including athletic trainers, chiropractors, hand therapists, occupational and physical therapists.
GT is utilized at some 450 out-patient facilities and industrial on-sites, by more than 60 professional and amateur sports organizations, and is part of the curriculum at 15 respected colleges and universities.
For the clinician:
Provides improved diagnostic treatment
Detects major and minor fibrotic changes
Reduces manual stress; provides hand and joint conservation
Increases patient satisfaction by achieving notably better outcomes
Expands business and revenue opportunities
For the patient:
Decreases overall time of treatment
Fosters faster rehabilitation/recovery
Reduces need for anti-inflammatory medication
Resolves chronic conditions thought to be permanent
Continues to engage in everyday activities
For employers and the healthcare industry:
Allows patients to remain on the job
Reduces the need for splints, braces and job-site modifications
Contributes to reduction of labor and healthcare costs, direct and indirect
While most chiropractic adjustments delivered at Schaffstall Chiropractic are performed manually, certain conditions are best treated with instruments.
Some of the instruments used include the Vibracussor, a hand held motorized percussion vibration device, with myofascial, trigger point and athletic applications. Vibration can break up ‘energy sinks’ in the body which prevent the normal flow of piezoelectricity from travel to a particular region of the body.
Additionally, the ArthroStim is also a hand held motorized instrument can be used to adjust and produce a stream of nerve impulses that travel from the treatment area to the brain initiating the neurological feedback cycle creating a corrective response.
The hand held Activator is specifically designed to deliver a controlled, low force and fast thrust without undue strain to the client. The thrust delivered by the instrument is so quick that is accelerates ahead of the body’s tendency to tighten up and resist the thrust of an adjustment.
The Kinesio Taping® Method involves taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction. The first technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to actually give support while maintaining full range of motion. This enables the individual to participate in their normal physical activity with functional assistance.
The second technique, which is most commonly used in the acute stage of rehabilitation, helps prevent overuse or over-contraction and helps provide facilitation of lymph flow for an entire 24 hour period. Correctional techniques include mechanical, lymphatic, ligament/tendon, fascia, space and functional. Kinesio Tex® Tape can be used in conjunction with other therapies, including cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, and electrical stimulation.
Kinesio Taping® affects the activation of the neurological system, the body’s information processor and the circulatory system. Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body, but they also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms. Consequently, more attention was given to the importance of muscle function, that the idea of treating the muscles in order to activate the body’s own healing process came about.
Using an elastic tape, such as Kinesio Tex® Tape, it was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Employment of Kinesio Taping® creates a completely new and innovative approach to treating nerves, muscles and organs.
Motion palpation is a diagnostic technique used by the doctor of chiropractic to locate joint dysfunction within the spinal column and extremities. This technique was brought to the United States in 1981 and quickly gained acceptance as a standard diagnostic tool for the chiropractic profession.
Nimmo-Receptor Tonus technique uses sustained pressure to reduce blood flow and eliminate irritable spots in skeletal muscle. This compression alleviates extremely tense muscles or trigger points that have suffered from trauma, poor posture, chills, chemical and emotional stress. Pressure is applied for a specified period of time, usually five to seven seconds but sometimes less, and the chiropractor is mindful of every client’s pain tolerance, monitoring pressure accordingly.
Often the client is not aware of specific trigger points until located through the assessment by the doctor. Neurologically, the nerve signals sent from the brain to the tight portion of the muscle to facilitate relaxation need to be reset. With the correct application both the client and the doctor can appreciate the muscle ‘melting’ under the doctor’s contact point.
Schaffstall Chiropractic offers Foot Levelers foot orthotics. These Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers are inserts that are placed in your shoes to help improve your bodys balance, posture, and alignment. Stabilizers are the only orthotics designed to support all three arches of the foot. By providing proper support for your feet, Stabilizers help create a balanced foundation for your body.
Correcting problems in your feet has amazing benefits that may surprise you! These Stabilizers can help increase your strength, enhance your athletic performance, and keep you feeling energized – even at the end of the day. Stabilizers are available in many styles and features, depending on your needs and the shoes you choose to wear.
Custom made: From a digital scan of your feet, technicians take sixteen exact measurements to create your pair of custom-made Stabilizers.
Chiropractic care in pregnancy is an integral part of your prenatal care. Adjustments are gentle, safe, and noninvasive. Chiropractic care restores balance to your pelvis muscles and ligaments and can relieve and even prevent the common discomforts experienced in pregnancy.
Preexisting unnoticed imbalances in your spine and pelvis become overtaxed with the rapid growth of the baby. These added stresses lead to discomfort and difficulty while performing routine, daily activities. Chiropractic care establishes pelvic balance and alignment to accommodate room for the developing baby which then allows for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery.
We use special tables to adjust for a pregnant woman’s body, and use techniques that avoid unneeded pressure on the abdomen. Keeping the spine aligned and removing interferences to the nervous system helps the entire body work more effectively and allows your uterus to function at its maximum potential.
Sacral Occipital Technique (SOT) is a method of chiropractic care designed to normalize the relationship between the foundation of the spine (sacrum) and the top of the spine (occipital). The spine and nervous system is assessed as a functional unit in whole and more overall movements are analyzed. The therapy aims to reduce or eliminate pain, but its primary goal is to normalize whole body function. Anatomical tone is assessed to determine the required adjustment. One of the hallmarks of this technique is the use of triangular shaped blocks for re-alignment of the pelvis and the associated pelvic categories 1 through 3.