- Pro-Adjuster, Activator Methods, and Cox Technique
- Applied Kinesiology
- Hanna Somatics, Post Isometric Relaxation, Trigger Point Therapy
- Percussion Fascial Release
- Graston Technique
- Nutritional and Herbal Therapy
- Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination
- Heavy Metal Detoxification
- Emotional Mind/Body Treatment
- Cranio-sacral Therapy
- Cold Laser Therapy
- Sports Injuries, Extremity Adjustments (arms and legs)
- Exercise Training
- Electrical Stimulation
- Auriculotherapy
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Low Force Adjustments
I use several adjusting instruments: Pro-Adjuster, Brimhall Variable Adjuster and Activator. For most adjustments I use the Pro-Adjuster and Impulse Instrument. The Pro-Adjuster is a computerized instrument that uses a vibration sensor to locate areas of the spine that are stuck or misaligned. It then decides the exact frequency (speed) of adjustment each individual misaligned vertebrae needs for efficient correction. I then use the instrument to make the adjustment (correction). The instrument provides gentle but firm adjustment. There is no popping or twisting. It is like a computerized Activator instrument. All the patient feels is a tapping or vibrating sensation. Because the instrument makes adjustment at the frequency that each misalignment needs, the body accepts the adjustment better and the results are more long lasting. The instrument is 90% accurate. Having used traditional hands on chiropractic for many years, I feel that the patient gets much better results with Pro-Adjuster without the side effects. I do use some traditional hands-on adjustments, if necessary. Approximately 10-20% of patients with upper neck problems may need a few hands on traditional chiropractic adjustments. For lumbar disc problems I use Cox Flexion Distraction technique. This technique is a form of disc decompression. In this technique gentle traction is applied on a table and pressure is applied by hand to separate the lumbar vertebrae and restore movement to the discs. This causes the disc to return back to its normal position. In addition I use Thompson technique and Sacro-occipital technique (SOT). Thompson technique uses a drop table to adjust the sacro-iliac joints of the pelvis. It is a very safe and effective technique. SOT uses blocks or wedges correct misalignment in the pelvis, cranio-sacral system and lumbar discs. I also use Activator Methods Technique analysis and muscle response testing to confirm my analysis.
Muscle Strength Balancing/Applied Kinesiology
For the body and the spine to be stable and function efficiently, muscle strength has to be equal on each side (right/left,front/back) of the body. If the muscles are stronger on one side, then the spine will tend to tilt or twist in that direction. Imagine if the guy wires on a radio antenna were uneven, the antenna would bend or twist.
In my office I test the strength of all major muscles of the body. If there are strength imbalances, I correct them by stimulating the nerve roots at the spine or areas of the brain with a cold laser and treating reflex points. If the nerves going to the muscles are shut off or the nerve centers aren't functioning properly, the electricity going to the muscles is turned off and the muscle becomes weaker. By stimulating these areas, the body's normal electrical current is restored and the muscle becomes strong again. It is kind of like fixing a short circut. After each correction, you will feel a difference in the muscle strength. About 20 percent of the time the brain or a related organ may need to treated to make the nerve and muscle function properly.
Cold Laser Therapy
The laser I use in my office produces a very bright red coherent beam of light. This light acts as a bio-activator. The bio-activation cause the cells to function at a higher capacity than before. So it can used to help a variety of problems. One the main things I use it for is to "turning on" nerves that have been shut off or only partially transmitting nerve impulses. For example, if a muscle is weak because it is not recieving the proper amount of nerve impulses, I can stimulate the nerve so it can send the proper flow of electricity. It can also be use to restore normal function to parts of the brain and cranial nerves. Cold laser therapy is also very successful in treating injuries and wounds that won't heal. In addition I use it for improving organ function. In addition the laser light can pulsed into different frequencies. Each part of the body responds to different frequencies. Also there are frequencies that help the remove toxic metals and infective organisms. The use of these frequencies greatly enhances the positive effects of cold laser therapy.
Muscle Relaxation Techniques
When muscles have been overused or tightened for a long period of time due to an injury, stress or bad posture, the muscles lose their normal programing. They are like a computer that doesn't respond normally. When this occurs, the muscles will not contract normally. Instead they contract when they are supposed to relax. They spasm with the slightest provocation. Muscles also can become shortened.
After the muscles have been spasmed or tightened for a long time, scar tissue will form in the muscle.
To relax these tight and contracted muscles I use Hanna Somatics and Post Isometric Relaxation. These techniques combine stretching, movement and flexing to stretch and normalize muscle tone so that they function normally. In other words they "reprogram" the muscles so that they work and function the way they were designed to. After receiving these techniques, most patients feel like they own their muscles again. I also use Trigger Point therapy to relax acute muscle spasms. Trigger Point Therapy uses pressure applied to nodules in muscles to increase blood flow and calm the spasm.
Percussion Fascial Release
Percussion is a very effective method of releasing the tension or restriction of the fascia in the body. This technique was developed by Dr. Robert Fulford an osteopathic doctor. The fascia is the layer or membrane of connective tissue that covers all the muscles, organs, brain and spinal cord. Tension in the fascia can be caused by physical and emotional trauma or bad posture. Psychological and emotional traumas are often stored in the fascia. Restrictions in the fascia restrict the normal flow of blood and cerebral spinal fluid and perpetuates muscles and joint dysfunction. In this method I use one hand to hold and control the fascia and with the other hand I use an instrument called a Percussor (it looks like a big vibrator) to vibrate the fascia until I feel it release.
Craniosacral Therapy
The human skull is made up of 24 bones. These bones are connected to the dura mater, which is a thick membrane (fascia) that covers the brain and the spinal cord and contains the cerebral spinal fluid. The dura mater is also connected to the the sacrum (tailbone). Under normal circumstances the the bones of the skull, the dura and the sacrum move rhythmically about 10- 14 times per minute. This movement circulates the cerebral spinal fluid throughout the nervous system. Any restriction to this movement will diminish the body's vitality and cause health problems. Craniosacral Therapy invloves applying light pressure to the bones of the head to restore normal movement. The Percussor is also used to normalize the craniosacral movement. Graston Technique
Graston Technique is very successful in treating problems such as :Medial Epicondylitis
Lateral Epicondylitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Neck and Back Pain
Plantar Fasciitis
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
Patellar Tendinitis
Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis
Heel Pain
DeQuervain's Syndrome
Post-Surgical and Traumatic Scars
Myofascial Pain and Restrictions
Chronic and Acute Sprains/Strains
Non-acute Bursitis
RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
IT Band Syndrome
Wrist Tendinitis
Reduced ROM Due to Scar Tissue
Achilles Tendinitis
This technique Stainless steel instruments to break down scar tissue and adhesions in the involved tendons, ligaments or muscle. Then stretching and strengthening exercises are used to realign the tissues. This very effective with chronic problems that just won't go away.
Nutritional and Herbal Therapy
To determine my patients needs, I use a combination of questionnaires, muscle response testing and blood, saliva, stool and urine lab testing to test the health of all the organs and glands. I then prescribe specialized supplements ("nutraceticals"), glandular extracts, natural hormones, amino acids and herbal extracts according to the patient's individual needs to support the effected organ systems and return them to normal function. Also I test to see if there are any infective organisms such as bacteria, yeast, viruses and parasites in the body. Again nutritional supplements and herb extracts are used to remove the organisms. In addition I also test to see if there any heavy metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic accumulating in the body. Natural detoxification and Chelating agents are used to remove them from the body. At the minimum most patients should have a comprehensive blood chemistry and CBC panel and adrenal stress index saliva tests performed to uncover hidden health problems.
I my office I use Thorne Research, Nutriwest, Apex Energetics, Marcopharma and Bioray (NDF) products. These products are pharmaceutical grade are among the purest and highest quality available. I use Chinese herbal formulas made by Health Concerns in Oakland, California.
Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination
To assist the body in its healing process it is usually necessary to rid the body of allergies and sensitivities. Most people don't even realize that they are allergic or sensitive. I use a technique called Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination and Re-programing Technique (A.S.E.R.T.) developed by Dr. John Brimhall. This is a modification and improvement on the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique (N.A.E.T.).
Dr. Nambudripad is a Chiropractor and an Acupuncturist who was highly allergic to many substances. She discovered by accident that you can eliminate most allergies. One day she ate some carrots to which she was very allergic. She inserted acupuncture needles in her herself and then fell asleep. When she woke up she was still holding the carrots and found that she was no longer allergic to them. This is how N.A.E.T. and A.S.E.R.T. were born. Essentially the technique involves using muscle response testing to determine what the patient is allergic to and then stimulating acupuncture points while the patient holds a sample of the allergy causing substance. The acupuncture points are now stimulated with pressure or a mild electrical current. These methods have had great success with thousands of patients. Some patients may have to avoid certain food for ever.
Emotional Mind /Body Treatment
I use a combination of three techniques; Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) developed by Scott Wlker DC, Applied Psycho-Neurobiology (APN) developed by Dietrich Klinghardt MD PHD and Thought Field Therapy (TFT) developed by Roger Callhan PHD. These techniques help break the break the mind/body connections to illness. They also help achieve and maintain congruence with all aspects of life. These techniques involve identifying emotional blocks using muscle response testing and then releasing them with acupressure, visualization and eye movements. I also use color and sound therapy.
Extremity Adjustments (arms and legs)
The bones and joints of the arms and legs can also become stuck or misaligned. Falls, flat feet (pronation), car accidents and other trauma can cause the joints to become stuck and irritated in addition to being sprained. Typically this problem manifests as pain in a joint or in the surrounding muscles that didn't resolve after rest or standard medical treatment. A classic example is a sprained ankle that still hurts or feels weak even years after the initial injury. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of bones in the wrist that are misaligned and pushing on the nerves that pass through the carpal tunnel. These types of problems usually responds very well to an adjustment. An extremity adjustment is a force applied by hand or the instrument to the the stuck joint to make it move normally again. Also with foot and leg problems, I often will make foot orthotics (shoe inserts).
Exercise Training
I have been studying exercise for 20 years. I have learned and developed stretching and strengthening exercises for almost every part of the body. Corrective exercise is essential to stabilize the spine or any part of the body. If some type of exercise isn't performed, the results will not be complete. The patient must participate in his recovery.
I design personalized exercise programs for each patient who wants to stabilize his body and have more vibrant health.
Electrical Stimulation/Electro-Acupuncture
I use interferential stimulation and microelectrical neuro-stimulation (MENS). These are used mostly with injuries and acute problems. Interferential stimulation increases blood flow, calms the nerves and increases blood flow. Microelectrical neuro-stimulation helps the affected tissues heal quicker and normalize nerve function. I also use the MENS to stimulate acupuncture points to help control pain and balance the body's energy
Auriculotherapy
The Chinese and the French medical doctor Paul Nogier dicovered over 200 acupuncture points on the ears that correspond to different parts of the body and body functions. In my office I use a microcurrent device called the Microstim 400 to locate active acupuncture points associated with my patients conditions. Stimulating these points with a light microamperage current helps restore health to the body and reduce pain. It is very effective with chronic pain.
James Whittlesey DC, CCEP
7075 Redwood Blvd. Ste.E.
Novato, CA 94945 415-898-0889
Marin County