Welcome! At Heppner Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we use a variety of methods to help treat you. Here is a brief overview of some of our methods.
Spinal Adjustment
We treat all types of musculoskeletal pain with chiropractic adjustments, but commonly we treat low back, neck, and headaches with manipulations. The doctors use their hands to apply gentle, quick pressure to a joint that is showing abnormal movement patterns in order to restore range of motion, improve functionality, and reduce nerve irritability to relieve pain. It is common to hear a popping or cracking sound (known as a cavitation) as the doctors move your joints during the treatment session.
Dry Needling
Dry needling — sometimes referred to as "Intramuscular Stimulation" or "Intramuscular Manual Therapy" — is a treatment using thin filiform needles to relieve muscular pain and improve movement. The doctor will insert needles into the areas of pain and in areas around, but not directly at, the point of pain. If there are two or more needles, they are stimulated by electrical current.
Soft Tissue and Massage Therapy
Massage therapy helps improve circulation and reduce pain. Chiropractors are trained in a variety of massage therapy modalities; additionally, Heppner Family Chiropractic has a Certified Massage Therapist available to schedule 30, 45, 60, and 90 minute massage sessions. The need and benefits of these therapies vary from patient to patient. The chiropractors here will choose the best method for your specific needs.
Cupping
Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed, which may relieve muscle tension. Cupping can improve overall blood flow to the area and also promote cellular repair. It may also form new connective tissue and create more blood vessels in the area.
Cranial Sacral Therapy
A gentle, hands-on approach that works with the natural rhythms of the body to release restrictions and support the central nervous system — helping the body relax, rebalance, and heal.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
Commonly called "blading," this therapy is a form of manual therapy where the soft tissue is addressed by using a specialized stainless steel tool to massage or scrape the skin. This therapy increases the rate and amount of blood flow to the area, which can increase cellular repair. The technique can also be used to break down scar tissue and fascia restrictions, thus increasing tissue mobility to the area.
Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is a form of deep heat therapy created by sound waves. When applied to soft tissues and joints, the sound waves are a form of micro-massage that help reduce swelling, increase blood flow, and decrease pain, stiffness, and spasms.
Muscle Stimulation
This type of therapy uses light electrical pulses transmitted to specific areas of the body through electrodes placed on the skin. There are many different types of electrical stimulation — some are more beneficial for pain relief or to reduce inflammation, some for muscle spasm, and some cause muscles to contract in order to reduce muscle atrophy. Some have combination effects.
Ice and Heat Therapy
Ice and heat have long been used to treat many painful conditions. Ice therapy is often used to reduce swelling and help control pain immediately after an injury. Heat therapy is used to relax the muscles and increase circulation, providing relief to patients with chronic pain. Depending on the patient's condition, a combination of ice and heat can be used.
Therapeutic Exercise
We often prescribe specific strengthening exercises for patients with back, neck, and extremity issues. These exercises can decrease pain, prevent muscle deterioration, promote joint health, increase strength, stability and range of motion, and protect against new or recurring injuries. The chiropractors here will show you how to do the exercises and supervise you until you are comfortable doing them on your own. Studies show that individuals who follow their exercise instructions heal faster than those who do not.
Therapeutic Stretches
Following an injury, therapeutic stretching is an important way to prevent scar tissue from forming. Even after the injury has healed, maintaining a regular stretching program helps keep tissues flexible, increases mobility, and protects you from new injuries. Our doctors will instruct you on proper stretching techniques and supervise you until you are comfortable doing them on your own.
Diet and Nutritional Counseling
Studies have shown that poor diet and nutritional imbalances contribute to a number of serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Our doctors are specifically trained in diet and nutritional counseling and can design a nutritional program specific to your needs to help you maintain good health and minimize the risk of developing these serious health conditions.
Lifestyle Modification Counseling
Good health is much more than the absence of pain or disease. The lifestyle choices you make on a daily basis can greatly affect your long-term health. Years of seemingly small unhealthy choices can, over time, turn into very large health problems.
Dr. Heppner will talk to you about your lifestyle choices, help you sort through and identify unhealthy habits, and give you practical strategies to manage them. Chiropractic medicine is more than just spinal manipulations — Michelle uses a variety of treatment modalities to help the body heal itself and return you to a pain-free, healthy life.
Choices that affect long-term health
Lack of regular exercise
Smoking
Poor diet
Excessive mental stress
Over-reliance on medication
Excessive consumption of alcohol
Poor posture
Improper lifting
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Give us a call — we'll listen and recommend the right next step.
