Manual and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Work
Dr. Annika Larson offers soft tissue chiropractic care for the whole family. She utilizes gentle hands on, and instrument assisted adjusting tools to tailor her care based on patient preference and need.
Cupping
A therapy involving suction cups strategically placed on the body to help with blood flow, decrease pain, increase range of motion, and can create a sense of relaxation.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Work
This therapy uses a special tool with beveled edges to help remove soft tissue adhesions. While it can be uncomfortable at times, it helps increase blood flow to the tissue, increase range of motion, and decrease pain.
Trigger Point Therapy
This therapy is directed at reducing trigger points. A “pin and hold” or “pin and stretch” method may be used to help relieve pain or tension in these areas. These sensitive areas can happen in a muscle after injuries or overuse. A trigger point can cause strain and pain throughout a muscle, which may include symptoms such as headaches, neck and shoulder pain, etc.
Manual Assisted Stretching
This technique utilizes the doctor’s hands to guide your body through comfortable stretching ranges of motion. A few that patients love are the side bending neck stretch which targets the muscles that help lift our shoulders to our ears. An assisted pectoral muscle stretch which opens the chest, and a hamstring stretch which helps lower back discomfort.
TENS/Electric Stimulation
TENS (trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) can be used to help decrease pain in chronic or acute conditions. This therapy uses a mild electrical current that can feel like a tingling sensation. Some of the main conditions that patients use TENS therapy for include osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, tendinitis, bursitis, low back and neck pain. TENS therapy helps to release endorphins which are the body’s natural pain killers.
