Treatments and Evaluations

Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (Adjustment)
Active Release Technique (ART®)
Rehabilitative Exercises
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)
Neuromobilization
TMJ Treatment (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)
Motion Palpation Assessment and Adjusting
Gait Analysis
Functional Evaluation
Patient Education

Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (Adjustment)
The goal for each patient is to have the appropriate amount of motion in each joint in the body.  Many times joints (especially those of the spine) can become fixated or stuck.  When this happens adjacent joints may compensate by allowing too much motion, sometimes being the source of pain.  To free the fixated joint, a light shallow impulse is applied in the direction of the fixation to restore optimal motion and function.

Active Release Technique (ART®)
ART is a technique that restores proper length and function to soft tissues including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.  This highly successful soft tissue treatment helps restore full range of motion, enhance strength, and improve blood flow to the tissues optimizing healing time.  This hands-on conservative soft tissue technique is used for treating conditions such as rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, sciatica, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis just to name a few.

Rehabilitative Exercises
After a functional examination, certain muscular imbalances will be identified.  These imbalances will be addressed by functional rehabilitative exercises specifically targeting weakened musculature that have resulted in instability in extremity joints and the spine.  Progressive Spine & Joint Center prides itself in being an active care clinic where the patient is contributing a great deal to become well.  Some of the exercises will be done in the clinic under Dr. Vickery’s supervision and guidance.  Other exercises will be prescribed for the patient to do at home.  The goal of these exercises is to train correct body movements to enhance performance and prevent future injury.

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)
DNS utilizes reflex neuromuscular stimulation to decrease tension in overworked muscles and increase tone and activation in under-worked muscles.  This makes rehabilitation exercises and soft tissue treatments more effective by training the brain on which muscles to use in motion.  This treatment improves stabilization of the spine and the joints of the extremities improving athletic performance and helping athletes make quicker recoveries from injury.

Neuromobilization
This is a specialized diagnostic and treatment technique applied to nerve disorders.  Nerve disorders can be expressed as pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness.  This technique can be used to treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and other nerve entrapment conditions.

TMJ Treatment (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)
TMD (commonly referred to as TMJ) is a condition affecting the two joints connecting the jaw to the head.  This dysfunction can be manifested as pain in the jaw joint or neck; limited jaw movement; clicking or popping in the jaw; and/or headaches/migraines. 

Dr. Vickery is highly trained in evaluating and treating this complex joint and its dysfunction.  As there are more than a few causes of TMD one of the most prevalent is due to muscular imbalances leading to incorrect biomechanical movements.  Patients with TMD will go through a very detailed examination of the TMJ including the joint and the musculature around it, as well as an examination of the cervical spine or neck.  The treatment for this condition could include mobilization of the joint, soft tissue or muscular work, manipulation of the cervical spine, and patient education on proper jaw movement and function.  The main goal with this treatment is to restore the jaw’s proper function and stabilize its motion.

Motion Palpation Assessment and Adjusting
Before a patient gets adjusted they must first be assessed.  Dr. Vickery has been trained to examine patients utilizing Motion Palpation.  This technique involves putting the patient through specific ranges of motion and challenging the joint at hand to find the restriction.  Once the fixated joint is identified Dr. Vickery uses this advanced adjusting technique to correct the function and restore the proper motion of that joint.  Motion Palpation offers a biomechanically correct method for assessing and treating the spine, hips, feet, shoulders, and other major joints in the body.

Gait Analysis
A gait analysis is an evaluation on the way someone walks.  This analysis looks at foot and ankle motion as well as knee and hip motion to identify joint restrictions and muscle imbalances.  As these can be causes or contributing factors in low back pain or even neck pain, Dr. Vickery utilizes the information from the gait analysis to put together a treatment plan that is specialized for each individual patient.

Functional Evaluation
A functional evaluation is a very important part of a patient examination.  This evaluation involves assessing patients as they are functioning in life or day to day activities.  Most people experience aches and pains when they are performing certain tasks or in certain motions.  In a functional evaluation Dr. Vickery has the patient do certain tasks such as performing a simple squat to look at hip control, or doing a push-up to assess scapular stability.  This evaluation allows him to find faulty patterns of movement that can be related to poor posture, an imbalance in muscles, or improper lifting mechanics.  These improper movements over time put too much load and stress on muscles, ligaments, and joints leading to pain and poorer performance.  When the appropriate information is gathered and the affected tissue or mechanical fault is determined a treatment plan will be designed that is specifically tailored to helping the individual patient.  Progressive Spine & Joint Center utilizes a team approach between Dr. Vickery and the patient to optimize their care.

Patient Education
One of the key ingredients in successful health care is patient education.  It is vital that the patient know about their condition and why they got to the point of pain or dysfunction.  When patients are educated on their problem they are more aware of activities and motions that put them in vulnerable and compromising situation that lead to injury.  Also they will gain the knowledge in making long lasting lifestyle modifications.  This knowledge helps patients recover faster and prevent future recurrences.