Joint Maniplation/ Mobilization

Joint manipulation aka “adjustment” is one of the many tools a clinician can use to help patients, intended to induce movement and help normalize function of the spine and/or any joints it is applied. It has been shown to be a safe and effective way to help treat and speed up recovery for a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. During the adjustment there will be a gentle high velocity- low amplitude thrust administered by the Doctor, which may elicit a “pop” or “crack”. This sound is a pressure change in the joint as nitrogen gas is being released.

The goal of the adjustment is to stimulate the nervous system to help improve joint range of motion, decrease tension, relieve pain, reduce muscle spasm, and restore proper function of the area applied. Not all joints/areas of the body need to be adjusted as there may be sufficient motion in certain areas of the body. This is where a skilled practitioner is able to determine which joints are hypo-mobile (restricted movement) and hyper-mobile (excessive movement) and apply the proper tools/treatment to each region of the body.

There are many old-school thoughts on bones being “out of place” and that they need to be “re-aligned” by frequent adjustments to fix them and reduce pressure on nerves. As medicine as a whole is constantly developing and advancing more through the years, this thought process has been shown to be outdated and unscientific. Still this philosophy is held by some of the current Chiropractic profession. Many patients have plenty of joint mobility and over manipulation can cause more issues than good. This is usually when other techniques and treatment styles will be better suited for patients.

Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)

MDT is best described as a musculoskeletal pain classification and treatment system that helps trained clinicians to reliably assess and treat patients in accordance to their response to movement.

We see mechanical disorders that affect soft tissues, joints of the extremities, and of the spine on a daily basis. Anything from back pain, neck pain, and extremity complaints, issues commonly referred to as sciatica, disc herniations, sacroiliac joint pain, stenosis, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, tennis and golfers elbow, headaches, pinched nerves, patellofemoral tracking syndrome, shoulder impingement, IT band syndrome, TMJ pain, muscle spasms, piriformis syndrome, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tear, numbness and tingling in the hands or feet, etc.. If you are suffering from any such issue, then getting properly assessed by a MDT based clinician would be ideal for you.

This method is one of the most well-researched, evidence-based approaches to assessment, diagnosis and treatment of any musculoskeletal condition. Implementing a comprehensive and clinical reasoned evaluation of patients without the use of expensive diagnostic imaging. The treatment principles of MDT promote the body’s potential to repair itself and does not involve the use of medications, injections, surgery unless warranted. This modernistic approach to healthcare allows patients to learn the principles of self-treatment and empowers them to be in control of their own symptom management, ultimately reducing dependency on clinicians for long and often unnecessary treatment plans, as well as the reduction of invasive medical intervention.

If utilized correctly by a well-educated MDT clinician, the following goals of the McKenzie Method can be accomplished in a cost- and time-effective manner.

1.) The clinician and patient will be able to accurately understand the patient’s presentation and behavior of their symptoms.

2.) Proper diagnosis and treatment will be administered to patient.

3.) The clinician will be able to determine and create the most appropriate/effective treatment plan for the patient moving forward.

4.) The elimination of symptoms as well as the restoration of full function and movement(s).

5.) Patient will be educated and empowered to self-treat and prevent future reoccurrences.

6.) The proper determination if other medical advice or intervention is needed elsewhere.

Myofascial Release & Soft Tissue Techniques

-Soft/Deep Tissue Massage
-Trigger Point Release
-Myofascial Release
-Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Massage (IASTM)/Graston
-Active Release Techniques (ART)

Myofascial release seeks to create change in the tissues through stretching, elongating fascia, and mobilizing adhesive tissues. In order for this to occur, the clinician uses their hands to slowly move through the layers of soft tissue. The techniques implemented are aimed at the sites of restricted fascia/soft tissues, in effort to increase blood flow to the area applied. This allows the body’s natural ability for self-correction to return and tissue function be restored. These techniques are helpful with eliminating pain, and restoring the performance of muscles, tendons, fascia, etc..

Functional Rehabilitation

-Therapeutic Exercise/Activities
-Neuromuscular Reeducation
-Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training
-Sports Rehabilitation
-Athletic Performance Training

Corrective exercises are administered to help progress patients towards optimum function and health. This is ultimately to reduce pain, further aid the patient in the healing process, and to restore any improper movement patterns. Patients will work one-on-one with the doctor through individually designed programs and progressions of exercises in order to help them reach their goals and increase quality of life and/or performance.

Infrared Sauna

Infrared saunas have been known to have a laundry list of health benefits: improving cardiovascular health, assist in reducing blood pressure, soothing sore muscles after a tough workout or injury, reducing muscle tension, joint pain relief, neck pain, back pain, tension headaches, reducing symptoms related to chronic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Saunas also have been shown to help increase relaxation, reduce symptoms related to depression, anxiety and stress, help improve quality of sleep, improve your immune system, reduce oxidative stress, improve your skin health and overall sense of wellness. The benefits of deliberate heat exposure by an infrared sauna are endless and easy to obtain, you just have to be willing to sit and spend some time in the heat as the sauna will help aid you in your journey to optimal health and wellness.

Golf Injury & Performance

At Great Lakes Spine & Sport we offer you chiropractic treatment, physical rehabilitation, soft tissue work, individualized movement-based care, and golf fitness training as solutions to back pain, neck pain, sciatica, elbow pain and more. We will quickly address the root cause and create an individualized plan for you to elimnate your pain and keep you on the course.

What is TPI?

TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) is the world's leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing. For over twenty years, TPI has gathered the world’s largest technical database of the game’s top Tour professionals as well as every-day golfers. TPI collects 3D motion capture, force, pressure, launch monitor, strength, power, and movement data on every player that visits the TPI campus. Using this data, TPI discovered how a properly functioning body allows a player to swing a golf club in the most efficient way possible. Conversely, TPI determined how physical limitations in a player’s body can adversely affect the golf swing and potentially lead to injury. This relationship is what TPI calls The Body-Swing Connection and is the foundation of all professional Certification courses offered by TPI.

TPI’s Mission

TPI’s mission is to educate golfers and industry professionals on the Body-Swing Connection through its one of a kind TPI Certified educational program.

TPI’s Philosophy

TPI believes that golfers should match their swing style to their movement capabilities. The philosophy is simple:

“There are an infinite number of ways to swing a golf club. However, there is one most-efficient way for each player to swing a club and it is based on what they can physically do.”

TPI’s Assessment Screen

If you don’t assess, it’s just a guess.

To achieve an efficient swing, a golfer must first be screened. A proper screen involves an assessment of swing mechanics, biomechanics, physical fitness, movement quality, current health, and injury history.

The TPI movement screen is a simple test to quickly evaluate a player’s physical capabilities. The results of that assessment are used to determine how technical elements of the player’s swing could be related to what their body can or cannot do. Once this screen is finished, the results are used to create a plan unique for that golfer. The plan may include fitness training, physical therapy and treatment, coaching of swing mechanics and biomechanics, nutrition, mental strategy or all of the above.