• Make an appointment. Dr. Piering schedules extra time for new patients. To ensure that the doctor can spend the necessary time with you, make an appointment by contacting us.
• Bring with you all pertinent medical records. Dr. Piering requires detailed information to do an evaluation. If you do not have copies of your medical history, recent diagnoses, x-ray films, etc., obtain them from your physician or medical specialist ahead of time and be sure to bring them with you to your initial consultation.

Diversified

Considered a traditional chiropractic manual adjustment. For this method, chiropractors apply a short (low-amplitude), quick (high-velocity) thrust over restricted joints (one at a time) with the goal of restoring normal range of motion in the joint. The patient’s body is positioned in specific ways to optimize the adjustment of the spine.

Gonstead

Similar to the diversified technique, the difference is in the evaluation of (locating) the problematic joint and the specificity of body positioning.

Thompson Terminal Point or Drop Technique

This technique involves specialized treatment tables that have sections that drop a short distance during an thrust; the dropping of the table piece facilitates the movement of the joint. This adjustment approach is sometimes used in addition to or, in place of, a more traditional diversified adjustment. Here, the traditional "cracking sound" may or may not occur and therefore this type of manipulation may also be considered a form of mobilization, or a gentle adjustment approach.

Toggle Drop

Using crossed hands one on top of the other, the chiropractor presses down quickly and firmly on a particular area of the spine while a section of the drop table falls, taking advantage of gravity to apply the adjustment. The table has different sections that can be raised and dropped in accordance with the localization of the spinal adjustment.

Release work

Applying gentle pressure using the fingertips, the chiropractor separates the misaligned vertebrae with the goal of restoring them back to their natural positions.

Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT)

This method involves placing wedges or blocks under the pelvis, allowing gravity - with some addition low force assistance by the provider - to realign the pelvis.

Cox Flexion Distraction

Cox Technique is non-surgical, doctor-controlled, hands-on spinal manipulation performed with the patient lying on a specially designed chiropractic table. This table permits the effective administration of flexion-distraction and decompression adjustment and manipulation.

It is used to reduce pain attributable to:

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Low Voltage Muscle Stimulation

Used for relaxation of muscle spasms, increasing local blood circulation, muscle re-education, maintaining or increasing range of motion.

High Voltage Galvanic Stimulation

Used to alleviate pain, stimulate blood flow, and promote wound healing.

Interferential Stimulation

Increases localized blood flow which can improve healing by reducing swelling and as a result helps remove damaged tissue and bring nutrients necessary for healing to the injured area. Also stimulates local nerve cells that can have a pain reducing/anaesthetic effect.

Moist Heat

Decreases joint stiffness; reduces pain; relieves muscle spasms, reduces inflammation, edema, increases blood flow, and aids in the post acute phase of healing.

Cold Pack

Reduces pain, reduces spasticity, reduces muscle spasm, reduces swelling, promotes repair of damaged tissues.

Diathermy

Diathermy is electrically induced heat. Diathermy is commonly used for muscle relaxation, and to induce deep heating in tissue for therapeutic purposes. The application of moderate heat by diathermy increases blood flow and speeds up metabolism and the rate of ion diffusion across cellular membranes. The fibrous tissues in tendons, joint capsules, and scars are more easily stretched when subjected to heat, thus facilitating the relief of stiffness of joints and promoting relaxation of the muscles and decrease of muscle spasms.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a method of stimulating the tissue beneath the skin's surface using very high frequency sound waves, between 800,000 Hz and 2,000,000 Hz, which cannot be heard by humans. Ultrasound is often used to provide deep heating to soft tissue structures in the body. Deep heating tendons, muscles or ligaments increases circulation to those tissues, which is thought to help the healing process. Increasing tissue temperature with ultrasound is also used to help decrease pain.

Common Injuries Treated with Ultrasound:

Massage

Massage involves working and acting on the body with pressure. Techniques are commonly applied using hands, fingers, elbows, forearm, or a device. The purpose of massage is treatment for stress or pain. Massage clients are treated while lying on a massage table or sitting in a massage chair.

Some Benefits of Massage:

Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is a hands-on technique that involves applying sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. Trauma, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures create myofascial restrictions that can produce chronic pain and limitations in mobility. Myofascial Release treats skeletal muscle immobility and pain by relaxing contracted muscles, improving blood and lymphatic circulation, and stimulating the stretch reflex in muscles.

Intersegmental Traction

The patient lies face up on a bench table which has roller-type cams beneath its surface. These rollers can slowly travel the length of the spine, stretching spinal joints. The roller table gently and effectively reestablishes the normal range of motion in the spine. It helps reduce muscle spasms that can be caused by weakened postural muscles or spinal injuries. The table helps increase blood flow and oxygen to your spinal discs, ligaments, and muscles, which can improve balance and strength. The table can be adjusted to accommodate a patient’s comfort and can be used with all body types, including children.

Spinal discs receive nutrients from the fluid circulation upon spinal joint movements. Joint misalignment in the spine hinders this action from occurring and causes thinning and degeneration of the discs. Intersegmental traction/roller table works by creating passive motion that causes mild stretching of the spinal joints and improves mobility. Intersegmental traction table functions by mobilizing the spinal column while at the same time gently stretching the muscles and ligaments.

Spinal Traction

Spinal traction is a form of decompression therapy that relieves pressure on the spine. It can be performed manually or mechanically. Spinal traction is used to treat herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, and many other back conditions. Spinal traction stretches the spine to take pressure off compressed discs. This straightens the spine and improves the body's ability to heal itself.

It is most commonly used to treat: