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Chiropractic manipulation is a method of manual therapy involving a hands-on approach to the entire body. A chiropractic therapist treats both the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems, two of the systems in which we specialize at New York Dynamic Rehabilitation clinic (NYDNRehab).
The musculoskeletal system is the system of muscles, ligaments, bones, and joints that work to give the body structure and movement. The neuromuscular system is a combination of the nerves and muscles working together to generate motion. Chiropractic therapists throughout history have provided chiropractor back pain treatment and treatment for various neuromuscular disorders; however, the science of chiropractic therapy has developed over the last century to include not only the manipulation of spinal joints that traditionally characterizes the science but also a variety of more advanced non-invasive methods such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and musculoskeletal ultrasound.
At NYDNRehab we treat chiropractic and sports injuries with dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS). DNS differs from conventional chiropractor back pain treatments because it doesn’t use physical manipulation as its primary method of treatment. While our chiropractic therapists use gentle manipulation to alleviate pain and restore function in injured patients, this hands-on approach is just one of several employed by DNS.
DNS works by stimulating movement control centers in the brain that are responsible for the automatic movements of the human body. This neuronal network is programmed at birth with all the information needed to teach a human being how to crawl, stand, or walk as he or she moves through life. As the child grows and the neurons of the body connect, this blueprint is activated, enabling the child to learn complex postures and movements. This network remains in place throughout the individual’s adult life, providing a foundation for the movements of the body.
DNS re-trains the body in the postures and motions it first learned as a child, re-activating the dormant global motor patterns through spinal-joint manipulation, muscle relaxation, and soft-tissue release procedures. The patient is placed back in the postural positions of early childhood. This allows for maximum spinal stability. The physician then applies gentle pressure to the body that stimulates a global motor reaction. This reaction relieves spasms and trains the patient in posture and gait. Over time, with proper exercise, these patterns are re-internalized and become habitual. DNS differs from other chiropractic and sports injury treatments because it addresses problems at the root, targeting the entire global motor control system, rather than locally. Ultimately this produces faster and longer-lasting pain relief.
Dr. Lev Kalika of NYDNRehab is one of the first practitioners of DNS in the United States. With over fifteen years’ experience in treating chiropractic and sports injury disorders, NYDNRehab offers some of the most comprehensive musculoskeletal and neuromuscular treatment in New York City.
Below is a prime example of how ultrasound can take the guesswork out of diagnosis.
A bad physical therapy experience is one of the primary causes of unnecessary surgery
In this instance, an athlete was originally diagnosed with minor quadriceps muscle strain and was treated for four weeks, with unsatisfactory results. When he came to our clinic, the muscle was not healing, and the patients’ muscle tissue had already begun to atrophy.
Upon examination using MSUS, we discovered that he had a full muscle thickness tear that had been overlooked by his previous provider. To mitigate damage and promote healing, surgery should have been performed immediately after the injury occurred. Because of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, the patient now has permanent damage that cannot be corrected.
The most important advantage of Ultrasound over MRI imaging is its ability to zero in on the symptomatic region and obtain imaging, with active participation and feedback from the patient. Using dynamic MSUS, we can see what happens when patients contract their muscles, something that cannot be done with MRI. From a diagnostic perspective, this interaction is invaluable.
Dynamic ultrasonography examination demonstrating
the full thickness tear and already occurring muscle atrophy
due to misdiagnosis and not referring the patient
to proper diagnostic workup
Demonstration of how very small muscle defect is made and revealed
to be a complete tear with muscle contraction
under diagnostic sonography (not possible with MRI)
Complete tear of rectus femoris
with large hematoma (blood)
Separation of muscle ends due to tear elicited
on dynamic sonography examination
