Services

At Pure Life Clinic, we pride ourselves in providing the utmost quality service to our customers. Here are just a few of the services that we provide:

Complete History, Exam & Treatment

Your first visit will include a comprehensive health history and physical exam to determine the proper course of treatment. Your treatment plan may include any of the modalities listed below.

Chiropractic Manipulation

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as "spinal manipulation," also called "chiropractic adjustment." The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile - or restricted in their movement - as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Interferential Current and Ultrasound

Interferential current is a treatment to aid the relief of pain and the promotion of soft-tissue healing.

Tiny electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the area of the pain. Where these waves intersect below the surface of the skin, the low-frequency stimulation induces the body to secrete endorphins, which are the body's natural pain-killers.

Most patients find interferential therapy to be very beneficial and describe the treatment as being relaxing and having a 'pins and needles' sensation.

Ligament sprains, muscle strains and spasms often respond well to interferential current therapy.

Therapeutic Ultrasound is a method of stimulating tissue beneath the skin's surface using sound waves. It is a very high frequency massage that can penetrate up to 5" below the surface of your skin. An incredibly wide variety of ailments are treated using ultrasound. Essentially, anywhere there is a desire to promote blood circulation and reduce swelling and edema, ultrasound will help.

Injuries to the tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilage are treated primarily with ultrasound. Ultrasound helps to reduce swelling which in turn greatly reduces the pain from the injury. The stimulated tissue and increased blood flow speed the healing process. Typically, these types of injuries are very slow to heal and because people continue to try to use the injured body part, the injury is repeatedly stressed. Regular applications of ultrasound over the duration of the healing period will significantly reduce pain and the time to heal.

People who suffer from chronic ailments associated with swelling and pain also gain great benefit from ultrasound. Those who suffer from Arthritis, Bursitis, Carpal and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, and swollen disks use ultrasound to reduce the swelling and pain associated with their ailment. Ailments which are not chronic such as Bursitis and Tunnel Syndromes can be treated and eliminated with ultrasound. For conditions such as arthritis, ultrasound cannot cure the disease but it WILL (1) reduce the pain and swelling significantly (2) Increase flexibility in atrophied (unused and frozen) joints. This allows people to resume their normal daily routine and get back to the active lifestyle they enjoyed in the past.

As a therapeutic massage device, ultrasound is very effective at reducing muscle tension. People who suffer muscle tension headaches and migraines use ultrasound on the back of the neck and across upper back (trapezius muscle). People receiving treatments often describe the sensation as 'the machine seems to suck the tension and pain right out of my head through my neck'. In reality what is happening is the ultrasound is releasing the trigger points which are often the source of the pain. Trigger Point Release drains the buildup of lactic acid and other toxins in the area, increasing blood flow and bringing much needed nutrients to the muscle tissue.

Frequency Specific Microcurrent

FSM has changed what is possible in pain management. FSM can treat chronic myofascial pain quickly, easily and comfortably. Nerve pain from nerve traction injuries, disc bulges and herniations and herpes and shingles can be treated successfully by FSM practitioners. The painless relaxing treatment is applied through gloves worn by your doctor or by electrode pads placed on the skin.

Deep Heat Therapy

To help relax your muscles and to prepare the body for adjustment, we use Hydrocollator heat therapy. Clay hot packs that sit in a hot water bath and are placed between towels and applied to your back while you lie face down. The steam creates a deep heat that penetrates well below the surface of the skin. Heat is often used in conjunction with one or more electrotherapy treatments. While you lie with the heat, cranial work (massage of the head and shoulders) is often performed simultaneously.

Lumbar Flexion-Distraction Therapy

Flexion-Distraction, (F/D) is a gentle, chiropractic treatment procedure utilized for back and neck pain. Flexion-Distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions do not demand surgical intervention. The doctor is in control of the treatment movements at all times.

Flexion-Distraction is utilized for many conditions such as:

Failed Back surgical Syndromes
Disc Herniation/Ruptured Disc / Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc
Sciatica / Leg pain
"Whiplash" injuries
Stenosis
Arm Pain
Neck Pain
Failed course of Steroid Injections
Chemical Radiculitis
Spondylolisthesis
Headache
Transitional segment
Many more conditions....
How does Flexion-Distraction Work?

For Disc related conditions:

1. Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove annular tension on the annular fibers and nerve by making more room and improving circulation.

2. Allows the nucleus pulposus, the center of the disc, to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the spinal nerve.

3. Restores vertebral joints to their physiological relationships of motion.

4. Improves posture and locomotion while relieving pain, improving body functions, and creating a state of well-being.

For Non-Disc related conditions:

Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain:

1. The posterior disc space increases in height.

2. F/D decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis.

3. Flexion stretches the ligamentum flavum to reduce stenosis.

4. Flexion opens the vertebral canal by 2 mm (16%) or 3.5 to 6mm more than extension.

5. Flexion increases metabolite transport into the disc.

6. Flexion opens the apophyseal joints and reduces posterior disc stress

7. The nucleus pulposus does not move on flexion. Intradiscal pressure drops under distraction to below 100mm Hg. On extension the nucleus or annulus is seen to protrude posterior into the vertebral canal.

8. Intervertebral foraminal openings enlarge giving patency to the nerve.

Diet and Exercise Programming

After taking into account our patient’s health goals and concerns, we look at their daily lifestyle habits. These factors include exercise, diet, stress, occupation, and sleep habits while taking into account sex, age, height, and weight. Our doctors will assess what nutrients you may be lacking or getting too much of based on a food journal patients keep. The same is true for exercise routines, if the patient has any to record. After a few weeks we can customize the patient’s diet and exercise program to give the most health benefits possible. Typically, when proper diet and exercise are maintained, patients report longer and deeper sleep patterns. This is very important because this is when the body is healing itself and restoring damaged cells from the day. Also with better diet and regular exercise comes the benefit of increased mood which combats stress. So as you can see, having a good diet and exercise habits has this wonderful domino effect of changing every aspect of your life and health.  Starting with a proper foundation allows maximized healing; if proper habits are consistently continued, pain and inflammation decrease. You also help yourself to diminish chances of long term illnesses and conditions such as atherosclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s, joint pain, peripheral vascular disease, osteoporosis, and heart disease just to name a few.

Nutritional Supplements

Part of customizing a proper diet for our patients often involves adding specific supplements to their daily regime. The nutritional supplements that we provide have a wide range of purposes from adding emulsified vitamin D to assist in bone strength and immunity to supplementing with Intenzyme Forte to reduce inflammation.  Although supplements can be overlooked or forgotten, they can play a crucial role in aiding to the body’s overall ability to recover and reheal.

Bio-Detoxification

The purpose of undergoing a bio-detoxifying cleanse is to restore balance and homeostasis which will treat the underlying causes of pain, inflammation, and chronic health issues. When the body is better able to process food and focus on healing, chiropractic and acupuncture become more effective. Proper indication of a cleanse are patients who are suffering with multiple problems, patients who don’t always fit conventional ICD-9 diagnosis codes, and for patients who fail to respond to conventional therapies, an example being a patient who suffers from chronic back aches, depression/anxiety, and chronic fatigue. This minimizes the level of systemic inflammation and aides digestion, allowing for proper healing to occur. This is obtained by optimizing organ function through detox supplements and taking on a diet which refrains from high inflammatory foods. We at Pure Life prefer to use the Biotics De-tox products. It is always important to consult with your doctor before starting any type of cleanse.

Kinesiotaping

Kinesio Taping gives support and stability to your joints and muscles without affecting circulation and range of motion. It is also used for Preventive Maintenance, Edema, and to treat pain. Kinesio Taping is a technique based on the body's own natural healing process. This Kinesio Taping exhibits its efficacy through the activation of neurological and circulatory systems. This method basically stems from the science of Kinesiology, hence the name "Kinesio". Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body but also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms.
Consequently, so much attention was given to the importance of muscle function that the idea of treating the muscles in order to activate the body's own healing process came about. Using an elastic tape, it was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Employment of Kinesio Taping creates a totally new approach to treating nerves, muscles, and organs. The first application of Kinesio Taping was for a patient with articular disorders.

For the first 10 years, orthopedists, chiropractors, acupuncturists and other medical practitioners were the main users of Kinesio Taping. Soon thereafter, Kinesio Taping was used by the Japanese Olympic volleyball players and word quickly spread to other athletes. Today, Kinesio Taping is used by medical practitioners and athletes around the world.

The Kinesio Taping Method is applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused tired muscles, and to support muscles in movement on a 24hr/day basis. It is non-restrictive type of taping which allows for full range of motion.

In contrast, traditional sports' taping is wrapped around a joint strictly for stabilization and support during a sporting event obstructing the flow of bodily fluids as an UNDESIRABLE side-effect.

Kinesio Tape is used for anything from headaches to foot problems and everything in between. Examples include: muscular facilitation or inhibition in pediatric patients, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back strain/pain (subluxations, herniated disc), knee conditions, shoulder conditions, hamstring, groin injury, rotator cuff injury, whiplash, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, patella tracking, pre and post surgical edema, ankle sprains, athletic preventative injury method, and as a support method.

Postural Re-education

Most of the time our doctors find that improper posture contributes to part of the patient’s problem. Improper posture leads to muscle spasms since these muscles are being loaded incorrectly on a daily basis. Muscles spasms, for example in the trapezius and sternocleiomastoid, can lead to discomfort and tension headaches. To best combat poor posture, our practitioners will give you some basic posture exercises for you to work on throughout your day. These include chin retraction exercises, opening up of the chest and shoulders (no slouching), doorway pectoralis stretches, and also trapezius and scalene neck stretches. To help reinforce proper body posture, our practitioners are also knowledgeable in a variety of kinesiotape application techniques. Special flexible tape is used with specific amounts of tension distributed across the tape which lies over the affected muscle. Using a minor pulling effect, the tape re-educates the muscle of its true and proper orientation. Kinesiotaping typically lasts for 3-4 days after application and is waterproof. 

Lifestyle Modification

It must be remembered that doctors are here to assist you with your health needs, but ultimately you are the one in control of your own health. Practitioners often advise supplements, exercises, stretches, diet support, and other forms of home care, but it is the patient’s responsibility to take charge of their health. Lifestyle modifications are meant to be in effect permanently. For example, many patients have low back pain because they carry excess weight, eat poorly, and do not exercise. Many symptoms can be reduced by making smart and healthy diet choices as well as implementing an exercise regime. These factors will lead to weight loss, decreased systemic inflammation, and ultimately a decrease in pain and other symptoms.

Home care including stretching and strengthening exercises

Very commonly our practitioners will give patients home care tasks such as stretching and exercising. These are meant to help correct whatever your specific presentation is, whether for headaches or sciatica. Using our newly designed rehab room, we will guide you through how to correctly perform each move. After you are done working with our exercises therapists, they will give you a manageable amount of home care on a print out slip for you to take with you and use throughout your week. Strengthening and exercising are not to be overlooked as they are vital in bringing your body closer to symmetry and health. These are also used as a very valuable tool for you to do between your visits. Patients who consistently do their home care have a much quicker recovery rate than those who do not.

Massage

Massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing, with references in medical texts nearly 4,000 years old. In fact, Hippocrates, known as the "father of medicine," referenced massage when he wrote, in the 4th century B.C.: "The physician must be acquainted with many things, and assuredly with rubbing."

Now days, in addition to "rubbing," massage therapy, often referred to as bodywork or somatic therapy, refers to the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the body that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, vibration, rocking, friction, kneading and compression using primarily the hands, although massage therapists do use other areas of the body, such as the forearms, elbows or feet. All of the techniques are used for the benefit of the musculoskeletal, circulatory-lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body. In fact, massage therapy positively influences the overall health and well-being of the client:

Acupuncture

The intent of acupuncture therapy is to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering. The method by which this is accomplished, though it may seem strange and mysterious to many, has been time tested over thousands of years and continues to be validated today.
The perspective from which an acupuncturist views health and sickness hinges on concepts of "vital energy," "energetic balance" and "energetic imbalance." Just as the Western medical doctor monitors the blood flowing through blood vessels and the messages traveling via the nervous system, the acupuncturist assesses the flow and distribution of this "vital energy" within its pathways, known as "meridians and channels".

The acupuncturist is able to influence health and sickness by stimulating certain areas along these "meridians". Traditionally these areas or "acupoints" were stimulated by fine, slender needles. Today, many additional forms of stimulation are incorporated, including herbs, electricity, magnets and lasers. Still, the aim remains the same - adjust the "vital energy" so the proper amount reaches the proper place at the proper time. This helps your body heal itself.

Acupuncture is just one form of therapy used within the coherent system of healing known as Oriental Medicine. Oriental Medicine includes herbology, physical therapy, dietetics and special exercises (such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong), and is a complete medical system unto itself and is not another branch of modern Western medicine. Acupuncture evolved from principles and philosophies unique to Oriental thinking and Oriental Medicine, and is most effectively applied when done in accordance with those principles.

Natural Facial Rejuvenation

While skin tightening procedures such as Thermage and rejuvenating treatments such as microdermabrasion help to tighten and tone the skin, there are other ways to achieve those youthful looks. The microcurrent facial is one of the latest treatments available, a procedure that sends electrical signals to the facial muscles and surrounding tissues to promote collagen production. These high frequency treatments reach deep within the skin's layers in order to trigger cell production, and are proving to be a popular facial rejuvenation treatment at medspas and cosmetic laser centers across the country.

Referral to other health care practitioners as needed

Chiropractors are trained to be primary care physicians. The doctors at Pure Life Clinic are trained to identify and diagnose any condition from a simple sprain to cancer. If needed, you will be referred to one of the many local trusted specialists that we have a referral relationship with.