Chiropractic treatments - Bridgewater Nova Scotia
LaHave River Chiropractic & Health Centre

An adjustment is a highly skilled and precise movement applied by hand or an instrument such as an Activator to a joint of the body. The adjustment loosens the joint to restore proper movement and optimize function.
When a joint is adjusted, a gas bubble escapes causing the popping noise you may have heard about.
The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. For example, the technique is modified when treating children, pregnant women and older patients.
Adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, as it is a manually applied therapy, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment which usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.

Dr. Laurel Cowie treats a patient using Low Level Light Therapy.

Trigger points are palpable nodules found in muscles, and usually lie within taut bands of muscle fibres. They are tender on moderate-to-deep finger pressure and produce what patients sometimes describe as a "nice pain" or a "relieving pain."
Trigger points develop when muscle is put under strain, whether acutely in trauma or through repeated load, and are associated with pain and dysfunction in that muscle.
Treating these points (the most common methods are finger pressure and massage) is often very effective in reducing the tension in the muscle, relieving pain and restoring function.

CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.
By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

Phototherapy and laser therapy are increasingly being used as treatment modalities in clinics as practitioners realize its usefulness in treating musculoskeletal conditions.
Phototherapy involves the application of light energy at specific wavelengths and power densities to penetrate into damaged tissues and be absorbed by cells. The effect is not thermal (i.e. related to heat), but instead related to photochemical reactions in the cells. These cumulative cellular benefits result in progressive improvements and sustained results.

Laser is one form of phototherapy. Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) is the form we use here at LaHave River Chiropractic and Health Centre. The word "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The theory was first described by Albert Einstein (1879-1955) who paved the way for the development of the therapeutic laser. The first low level therapeutic laser was developed in 1962. By the end of the 1960s, Endre Mester in Hungary was reporting an improved healing of wounds through low level laser radiation. Since then, scientists and doctors around the world have been using laser light to treat conditions which can affect all age groups.
Research on the effects of laser therapy has been going on for the past 30 years. These studies have showed that LLLT may play a role in stimulating growth factors and promoting angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) at the vascular level, while helping to stimulate T-cells and lymph nodes at the immune level. Some studies are also showing decreased swelling and increased stimulation of the bone producing cells in bone. Overall, these cellular changes, induced by laser, provide relief of muscle and joint pain and increase tissue healing.

Orthotics are devices worn in your shoes that provide correction to your feet, helping them to function more efficiently. Poor foot function and alignment may be the cause of various pains, such as:
- Localized foot pain
- Bunions, hammer toes
- Arch/heel pain
- Leg/knee pain
- Hip or back pain - even neck pain
Custom orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes - they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment.
Orthotics fit into your shoes as comfortably as an insole - and they have the advantage of having been made from precise imprints of your feet.
Properly made orthotics are custom molded to the support requirements of your feet. They help restore the normal balance and alignment of your body by gently correcting foot abnormalities.
We use GaitScan™ technology to assess and analyze your feet. This state of the art computer system records your timing sequences during gait as you walk or run across the pressure plate. This enables us to have a clear picture of your foot mechanics and determine whether you would benefit from wearing custom foot orthotics.

Medical gradient compression stockings improve venous and lymphatic blood flow.
Therafirm® stockings are designed to deliver a controlled amount of pressure which is greatest at the ankle of the garment and gradually decreases towards the top of the stocking. This gradient pressure promotes better venous blood flow, which in turn helps to control swelling, varicosities, leg fatigue, and other problematic leg conditions.
People who have or are experiencing any of the following conditions can benefit from wearing gradient compression hosiery:
- Tired, aching, fatigued legs
- Swollen feet, ankles, and legs
- People who stand or sit for long periods
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Moderate to severe varicose veins
- Expectant mothers
- Schlerotherapy
- Lymphedema
- Overweight
- Family history of venous leg disorders
Therafirm® products are comfortable and cool and a lot more fashionable than you might think! The products are available in knee high, thigh high, and full length hosiery as well as knee high trouser socks; all in a wide variety of shades.
Compression levels available are:
- Mild support: 15-20 mmHg
- Moderate support: 20-30 mmHg
- Firm support: 30-40 mmHg

Individualized exercises are an important part of any treatment plan. Exercise will allow you to strengthen areas of weakness in order to regain physical function and prevent future injuries.