Amherst chiropractor, chiropractor in Amherst,

Chiropractic Treatment

Dr. Zilliox uses the latest in chiropractic technology in caring for you, using the Impulse iQ Adjusting Instrument. This patent and registered FDA device was designed to provide gentle and precise computer aided chiropractic adjustments to relieve pain and restore function. Years of research have gone into the development of the Impulse iQ to create gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments that are safe and specific for infants to seniors. There is no twisting or popping of your spine. Read more about this amazing instrument below!

Adjustments/Manipulation
The term "adjustment" refers to the specific manipulation chiropractors apply to vertebrae (or other joints) exhibiting abnormal movement patterns (referred to in chiropractic as "subluxations"), or which are otherwise failing to function normally. The objective of the chiropractic adjustment is to reduce the subluxation, resulting in an increased range of motion within normal limits, improved nervous system communication, and improved function.

You may not have known that there is perhaps 10x as much information travelling up the spinal cord TO the brain, as there is travelling down the cord FROM the brain!! This so-called "sensory" side of the nervous system is critically important, as the brain must be constantly apprised of information such as positions of joints in space, degree of stretch on muscles, speed of movements and so forth. It needs this information so that it can react to split-second changes in our world. This sensory feedback derives from receptors all over the body (eyes, ears, skin, muscles, tendons, organs, blood vessels, etc., etc.).

All of our joints (especially those in the spine) are populated with these sensory receptors. When joints lack proper ranges of motion for any reason, there is less than optimal stimulation of these nerves, and therefore (naturally) less than perfect signaling to the brain. If you can picture this nervous system communication relationship in your mind's eye, you have come to understand the very foundational premise of chiropractic, and the chiropractic adjustment...

Returning proper ranges of motion to "subluxated" joints, by definition, improves communication within the nervous system. Better communication results in improved function, and improved "health".

The adjustment can be delivered in a number of ways...

Traditionally, it consists of a short, high velocity thrust applied by hand, to a vertebra (or extra-spinal joint). This is commonly accompanied by an audible sound, caused by the release of oxygen and various other gasses, as the joint moves quickly through its range of motion, releasing pressure. The sensation is often-times immediately relieving, though minor discomfort may occasionally be experienced.

Instrument adjusting

Not all spinal and extra-spinal manipulation is accomplished by hand. Many doctors of chiropractic also utilize mechanical instruments to deliver high-speed, adjustive thrusts in precise vectors. It is always a plus to have a variety of tools available for any job - and it's no different in our field. 90% of my adjustments are now delivered via the instruments as opposed to the traditional manual adjustments. I have found it easier and more comfortable for the patient and myself.

In November, '07, I attended a seminar in Toronto, presented by Dr. Chris Collocca, founder of Neuromechanical Innovations. His research on instrument adjusting was impressive and eye opening.

In collaboration with Tony S. Keller, Ph.D, Chairman of the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Vermont; and Robert Gunzburg, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, Antwerp, Belgium... Dr. Colloca has carried out a number wonderful studies on the neurophysiological responses to mechanical stimulation. The team even actually made sophisticated measurements, and gathered data on several patients who were undergoing spinal surgery.

At this seminar, we were treated to videos of this first-ever kind of state-of-the-art research -- delivering of thrusts with adjusting instruments, DIRECTLY onto surgically exposed lumbar vertebrae of living patients!

Since this amazing seminar, I attended another by Dr. Collocca in March and I have upgraded my instrument from the Impulse Adjuster and have been utilizing Dr. Colloca's new Impulse iQ Adjuster. The theory is the same -- to generate a selectable, reproducible high velocity/low amplitude force, in a specific vector. This tool makes that easy to accomplish, patient after patient because the instrument senses when the vertebrae is moving and when to stop! It is extremely comfortable for patients of all ages, and yields the excellent, repeatable, reliable clinical results I require in order to achieve the best treatment outcomes.