At North Jersey Whole Health Center we employ a number of physical modalities when appropriate, including therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, kinesiology taping, mechanical traction/decompression, thermo/cryotherapy, and Al-Ga-As and Violet laser acupoint therapy.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is the application of ultra high frequency sound waves to cause either a therapeutic micromassage to the tissue or apply deep heat to the tissue. It can stimulate repair of tissue, increase circulation, help decrease the formation of brusing, and decrease pain. Using the sound waves, we can drive anti-inflammatory substances into a site of pain, thus quickly decreasing pain and inflammation
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical Stimulation (aka E Stim or EMS) involves the application of gentle electrical currents to the skin in order to gate pain, stimulate healing of tissue or even rebuild muscle. There are several different electrical modalities, ranging from TENS, which is for alleviating pain, to interferential current, which is a deeper, but gentler stimulation, all the way up to Russian Stim, which can be used to strengthen muscle.
Originally developed in Japan, by Dr. Kenzo Kase in the 1970s, kinesiotaping or power taping has become an important tool in the treatment of many conditions. The tape itself is a cotton tape with an acrylic based adhesive that can be attached to the skin, and provides support, by acting as an external ligament of sorts. It can be used to help turn off overactive, tight and sore muscles, and to help increase the strength of weak, underutilized muscles. The tape causes the skin to pucker slightly, which allows for increased lymphatic drainage. This can be used to reduce a bruise, help reduce swelling / prevent swelling after injury, and support a pulled muscle. Dr. Press is a certified power taping practitioner, and has a great deal of experience with power taping.
At North Jersey Whole Health Center, we will use mechanical traction/decompression when appropriate, and then judiciously. Mechanical traction, when used appropriately, can decompress impinged nerves, open the spinal canal and help to treat spinal stenosis in some cases. It also has utility in the management of herniated discs.