Modalities
Modalities for health care are supplementary tools that can help to improve overall patient care.
Our office is equipped with a wide range of modalities to help enhance our ability to treat a variety of conditions! In addition to chiropractic care and massage, ANH Wellness offers cupping, therapeutic ultrasound, cold laser therapy, red light therapy, and electric stimulation... plus an infrared sauna and salt booth!
The list of all the treatments offered by ANH Wellness is provided below, along with a brief explanation of each modality. Adding one more therapy to your regimen can sometimes be all that is necessary for full healing!
Electric Stimulation
This form of therapy involves sending electrical signals through the skin into the deeper muscle and fascial tissues. Manipulating pain receptors with an alternative stimulus can increase blood flow to the affected area and help to reduce pain by contracting the muscles. For sciatica, chronic pain, and acute muscular spasms, I particularly enjoy using electric stimulation. Although it is usually not painful, patients may experience twitching in their muscles, pins and needles, vibrations, or prickling while it is being administered. This treatment can also be utilized after an injury to promote blood flow and improve muscle function. (https://www.verywellhealth.com/electrical-stimulation-2696122)
Therapeutic Ultrasound
While therapeutic ultrasounds are not diagnostic in nature, they similarly use vibrational sound waves to penetrate the tissue and break up inflammation and adhesions. It is not painful and typically feels like a warm massage. We love using it to help with low back, neck, and joint pain- ex. ligament sprains. For ailments like tennis elbow, knee pain, or an ankle sprain, it can be quite helpful.
Fun Fact: It can also be incredibly helpful in treating clogged ducts while breastfeeding! Patients with repeated clogged ducts have shown excellent outcomes. Most people show effects (increased milk supply, decreased pain, smaller blockage) within 24 hours after using ultrasound to assist break up the clog.
Cold Laser
Cold laser therapy is a low-level laser that helps to stimulate healing and mitochondrial production. Reducing inflammation and promoting cellular repair can be effectively achieved with cold laser therapy, which is non-invasive and painless. Additionally, it has the ability to release endorphins, which are our body's natural painkillers. (https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-laser-therapy)
Cupping
Cupping is a great add-on for patients who want to try something for the first time. We position the cups along the affected area, such as the neck, hips, lower back, upper back, etc. The cup increases blood flow by lifting the skin. This encourages recovery and reduces inflammation. Although they are not unpleasant, your skin will have circular, "bruise-like" markings for five to seven days. When the cups are on, the sensation experienced during this therapy is best described as a "tightness" or warmth. (https://back2healthpt.org/)
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy has had encouraging outcomes in treating many skin disorders, including eczema, wrinkles, acne, inflammation, scars, and stretch marks. This treatment helps to increase collagen production and increase fibroblast activity as it lowers cellular inflammation and improves blood flow to the area. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy)
Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas are quite popular at the moment because of the many therapeutic benefits they provide, which is why we have our very own in the ANH Wellness office! It's an amazing way to support the body's detoxification and healing process. Boosting circulation, combating chronic fatigue, reducing general stress, helping with weight loss and hormone balance, and pain treatment are just a few of the amazing advantages you'll experience by using an infrared sauna.
Salt Booth
Our salt booth is one of the most popular treatments we offer at ANH! This healing treatment is a great way to help with a number of conditions such as asthma, cough or cold, rhinitis, sinus pressure, allergies, and cystic fibrosis. It has also shown promising benefits for a variety of skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. Patients sit in our salt booth for 10 minutes and breathe in the aerosolized salt for the duration of the treatment! Throughout their ten minutes in our salt booth, patients breathe in the salt that has been aerosolized. This helps to promote drainage and break up the congestion. Newborns can safely use it as well as throughout pregnancy! (https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-halotherapy)
In Summary
The diverse range of modalities available for patients enables a more individualized approach to healing. Every individual is unique, and having access to a choice of treatment alternatives allows healthcare providers to personalize treatment programs accordingly. This can lead to shorter recuperation time and allow patients to resume their normal lives with minimal disruption.
As with any new treatment, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider first. The majority of these treatments are safe but they each come with their own sets of risks for certain patient populations. It is important to discuss any additional concerns you may have before being treated.
By: Dr. Abby Kellogg
Chiropractor at ANH Wellness
Disclaimer: "This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Please speak with your physician before starting red light therapy. "The information including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this website is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment."