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General FAQ

bullet I was told that pain was not a good indication for care.
bullet

That is a good question!  First of all, nobody should suffer with pain or discomfort.  In this sense pain is an indication that something is wrong.  Pain is actually a great indication that a problem exists.  The problem being is that the onset of pain may actually be a late manifestation of a longstanding problem.  For example; sedentary workers who sit most of their day develop tight muscles in their hip flexors.  These tight hip flexors interfere with normal walking and add strain on the low back and pelvis.  Overtime, this may lead to a variety of low back disorders.  If we where to simply treat your lower back we would be missing the boat.  Do you see what I mean?  In essence, it would be possible to correct the problem “tight hip flexors from prolonged sitting” before pain develops.  In this sense pain is still a great indication that something is wrong, but it may not be the only indication for care.
 
bullet Well than, why is it that my co-worker who sits all day like me has no low back pain?
bullet Another great question!  Pain is truly multidimensional.  Meaning that why someone experiences pain and another does not is composed of many interrelated factors.  How someone handles stress, how well nourished they are, and other activities they like to do outside of work will all contribute to whether or not they experience pain.  You see, our bodies are extremely intelligent!  We do not like to be in pain or discomfort.  In actuality, only about 20% of what doctors and scientists call “nociception” (a painful stimuli) actually reach a conscious level.  Pain is actually an emotionally interpretation of these painful stimuli.  It is all the other factors; stress, lifestyle, nutrition, health, etc. that will determine how you interpret painful stimuli and whether that stimuli becomes conscious or not.  Also, our bodies are able to adapt over time, and what was once painful may no longer be the case. 
 
bullet In that case, when should I seek care?
bullet Personally, I look at care similar to how dentists and optometrists (eye doctors) look at your health.  You see, we have professionals who educate and take care of us from an early age in terms of how to take care of our teeth & eyes.  I look at chiropractic and related services as a form of care for your joints, muscles, and nerves.  Educating people on proper posture, ergonomics, nutrition, stress management and providing care when needed, I feel should start at an early age.  Chiropractic can work with other health professionals to provide you with the best care throughout your entire life.
 
bullet How often will I need care?
bullet This is a very difficult question to answer and the answer will be extremely individual to the person asking it.  In general, prevention or wellness type care is the best approach to take early on.  The health care system has come to the realization that health promotion and prevention is the way me must go with our system in the future. The “sick care” model is costing our society more money than our governments can handle.  In the case of an acute injury it is important that you seek care and advice early on.  This will help to maximize your healing potential while reducing the risk of developing chronic disorders.  
 

Acupuncture FAQ

bullet What is Acupuncture?
bullet Acupuncture consists of inserting needles into the body at various locations with or without electrical stimulation in order to affect the peripheral nervous system. Acupuncture aims to create reflex responses (sensory, motor, & autonomic) for the therapeutic purposes of treating pain & dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system, and for reversible functional problems of dis-regulation, or to contribute as an adjunctive support treatment in chronic irreversible disturbances.
 
bullet What conditions can acupuncture treat? 
bullet In western medicine, acupuncture is best recognized for its role in pain management. It may be used as a sole treatment or in conjunction with other forms of pain management systems. Types of pain that respond well to acupuncture include back, neck, facial, muscular, shoulder pain, sciatica, some forms of arthritis, and headaches. Abdominal pain, pelvic and menstrual pain, nerve pain, and scar pain, may also be responsive. Research also supports the use of acupuncture to treat asthma and nausea. Other conditions, in which acupuncture has been studied with good results, include cardiac disease, genitourinary problems, and neurological disorders including stroke and head injury.

Research recognizes the utility of acupuncture in the treatment of several other medical conditions including respiratory and digestive disorders. Psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety may also be suitable for treatment.

Conditions Recommended for Acupuncture by the World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Bronchopulmonary diseases
    • Acute bronchitis
    • Bronchial asthma
  • Eye disorders
    • Acute conjunctivitis
    • Cataract (without complications)
    • Myopia
    • Central retinitis
  • Disorders of the mouth cavity
    • Toothache
    • Pain after tooth extraction
    • Gingivitis
    • Pharyngitis
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
    • Spasm of the esophagus and cardia
    • Hiccups
    • Acute and chronic gastritis
    • Gastric hyperacidity
    • Chronic duodenal ulcer
    • Acute and chronic colitis
    • Acute bacterial dysentery
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea
    • Paralytic ileus
  • Neurological Disorders
    • Headache
    • Migraine
    • Trigeminal neuralgia
    • Facial paralysis
    • Paralysis after apoplectic fit
    • Peripheral neuropathy
    • Paralysis caused by poliomyelitis
    • Meniere's syndrome
    • Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
    • Nocturnal enuresis
    • Intercostal neuralgia
  • Orthopedic Disorder
    • Periarthritis humeroscapularis
    • Tennis elbow
    • Sciatica
    • Low back pain
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Respiratory diseases
    • Acute sinusitis
    • Acute rhinitis
    • Common cold
    • Acute tonsillitis
       
bullet What is meant by the term “deqi”?
bullet Deqi in classical terms is a subjective sensation experienced when the acupuncture needle has reached a certain depth of tissue. Classical it was thought that deqi was an indication of the arrival of Qi and that the needle has been placed in the proper area that would enable the flow of energy (Qi) throughout its corresponding meridian. The contemporary approach looks at these sensations of numbness, soreness, heaviness, and distension to be caused by anatomical structures (nerve trunks, nerve branches, periosteum, oponeurosis, tendons, ligaments, and muscles). Deqi is thought to be a pre-requisite in the development of acupuncture analgesia. Research is suggesting that receptors are found in deep tissues, particularly those of muscles that are responsible for these sensations.
 

Trigenics® FAQ

bullet What is Trigenics®?
bullet

Trigenics is a revolutionary neurologically based treatment system developed by Dr. Allan Oolo Austin. This system is designed to help relieves pain, accelerates healing, strengthen muscles and corrects meridian energy problems. Trigenics® treatments attempt to reset the way your brain communicates with your body. Trigenics® incorporates western and ancient eastern manual medicine methodologies with recent advances in functional neurology (Trigenics 2004).
 
bullet How does Trigenics® work?
bullet Trigenics works by re-establishing normal nervous system control throughout your body. Your brain sends signals down through your nervous system to control all systems of your body including your muscular system. Other systems under this control include your digestive system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, etc. There are nerves sensors in your muscles and other organs of your body which send signals to the brain telling what that particular system is doing. In terms of the muscular system it sends information on what the muscle is doing in order to coordinate movement. When under stress, or if you have been injured, the sensors may send mixed messages to the brain. These muscles may then become neurologically inhibited. The muscles will often reacts by becoming weak. Overtime, other muscles (synergistic muscles) attempt to compensate for this weakness. These muscles often develop painful trigger points from being overworked. Other muscles react by tightening or becoming short. The results are often clouded by pain and dysfunction. When left untreated, this cycle repeat itself throughout the body as other muscles become shortened or weakened (Trigenics 2004). 
 
bullet What is the TRIGENICS TRIAD?
bullet Trigenics® through a combination of 3 neuromanual medicine techniques redirects your nerve signals to effectively “reset” the way your brain communicates with your muscles and body. The 3 main components of Trigenics are referred to as the TRIGENICS TRIAD;
   1) Reflex Neurology,
   2) Manipulation of nerve receptors/sensors,
   3) Biofeedback Breathing.

The 3 techniques are applied simultaneously for a synergistic effect on the nervous system which resets brain and body communication (Trigenics 2004).
 
bullet Who can benefit from Trigenics®?
bullet Trigenics® can be used effectively on a broad range of patients including infants and seniors. The procedures are safe and non-forceful. The procedures are often used in injury rehabilitation, and for sports performance in conjunction with chiropractic care, physiotherapy, massage therapy and functional training (Trigenics 2004).  
 
bullet How long is the treatment, and when will I see benefits?
bullet Regular Trigenics® sessions “after the initial examination & report of finding” take approximately 10-30 minutes. Results are often seen instantaneously, weak muscles regain their strength, and shortened muscles regain their functional range of motion. Individuals often report having improved balance, agility, and strength, along with a general state of well being after a treatment. How long this will last will determine on a number of factors. The duration of the injury, the severity of the injury, lifestyle and occupational factors, nutritional state of the individual, etc., will all play a role in determining how long it will take for complete resolution of your complaint. In general, after 6-8 treatments most individuals will notice a substantial reduction in their initial complaint, if not a complete resolution of their symptoms (Trigenics 2004). 
 
bullet Who can practice Trigenics®
bullet Trigenics® is offered exclusively by healthcare professionals worldwide who have graduated from The Trigenics® Institute of Myoneural Medicine and who hold a current license as a Registered Trigenics® Physician or Practitioner with the designation R.T.P (Trigenics® 2004). In order to become registered individuals must attend all upper/lower extremity modules and spine module and pass both a practical & written examination with a minimal of 80% proficiency. To maintain practitioner’s status, RTP’s must comply with the continuing education requirements set out by The Trigenics® Institute of Myoneural Medicine (Trigenics® 2004).  

References
 The Trigenics® Institute of Myoneural Medicine. “The Missing Link” Adjusting Brain & Body Communication 2004. www.trigenics.us
 

Sport Specific Performance Augmentation Program FAQ

bullet Who can benefit from Sport Specific Performance Augmentation Program?
bullet This program is for any avid athletes, amateur or professional athletes, who wants to take their performance to the next level. If there are neuromuscular injuries or symptoms, we will need to address that first.
 
bullet What is the difference between the exercises in the postural program and general exercises?
bullet Postural muscle groups are smaller muscles. When there is a postural distortion, the compensation occurs and large muscle group would compensate for the postural small muscle. Traditional strengthening/stretching exercises would re-enforce the compensation posture.
 
bullet How is SSPAP program different from other sport training or personal training?
bullet SSPAP has two main focuses. 1) Develop a personalized posture correction program which will provide a solid foundation for the joint, muscle and nervous systems. 2) Augment or enhance the performance by strengthening and/or lengthening the muscle neurologically after a series biomechanical analysis according to the particular sport.
 
bullet How long does a treatment take?
bullet The SSPAP treatment requires treatments of approximately 30 minutes in length. We have found this time to be optimal allowing us to utilize the appropriate treatment techniques.
 
bullet How many treatments do I need?
bullet Depending on the results of the assessment and the your goals, a package of 10 performance units or 20 performance units may be required.
 
bullet Will I be sore following the treatment?
bullet The treatment program is designed to correct posture and re-activate inhibited muscle. So it is not uncommon to sense “post-work out” soreness after the treatment. This is normal, and should not alarm you.
An epsom salt bath should be taken following the treatments to help relax muscles and promote the elimination of muscle toxins.