Dr. LoGiudice D.C.- Linn City Chiropractic, West Linn Pain Relief & Massage

“Traditional Chiropractic is a drug-free approach to wellness and typically does not condone the use of surgery.  However, chiropractic has evolved over the last century and at Linn City Chiropractic we practice modern chiropractic; which simply integrates all the best fields of medicine to get you out of pain, feeling better and healthy.”
~ Dr. Michael LoGiudice, Owner of Linn City Chiropractic

Spinal Decompression with Triton DTS

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD) gently lengthens and decompresses the spine, creating negative pressures within the discs.  This reversal of pressure creates an intra-discal vacuum (reduction in pressure) that not only takes pressure off of pinched nerves, but helps to reposition bulging discs andpull extruded disc material back into place.

NSSD utilizes a sophisticated method of cycling the patient through a series of gentle pulls, holds, and releases.  The super-smooth transitions between each phase of therapy can make for an experience so relaxing, that many patients fall asleep.

Over a series of relaxing treatment sessions, patients experience powerful pain reduction and healing.  Some notice an improvement in their symptoms after just a few treatments!   continue reading

Graston Technique - Changing the way soft tissue injuries are treated

GRASTON Technique® is an interdisciplinary treatment used by athletic trainers, chiropractors, hand therapists, occupational and physical therapists. GT is utilized at some 550 out-patient facilities and industrial on-sites, by more than 90 professional and amateur sports organizations, and is part of the curriculum at 20 respected colleges and universities. continue reading

Inversion Therapy

Over half of people who invert on a regular basis do so to relieve back pain.  However, there are benefits that can be easily achieved by a passive, or more active, inversion session.  Therapeutic affects with just 5-10 minutes per day provide:  back pain relief, promote regeneration of discs, improve posture and alignment,  stimulate circulation and lymphatic flow, relieve tension and stress, enhance mental function and senses, speed recovery after workout, strengthen ligaments and joints, improve body shape and function, strengthen autonomic nervous system, and anti-aging and appearance. continue reading

Cervical Traction/Extension

We should have a natural reversed “C” shape in our neck.  Pain in the neck is commonly from a reversal of  the natural curve in the neck, aka “straight- neck”, or ”military-neck”.  A loss of curve is abnormal, and may lead to neck and shoulder pain, tension headaches, discomfort, and triggerpoints.  This is commonly seen in many occupations;  mechanics,  secretaries, cashiers, and students. Sleeping with too many pillows often aggravates neck pain further.  Any unnatural force exerted on the neck pushing your chin into your chest will eventually cause pain, such as in whiplash injuries.  This condition can lead to headaches, arm pain, neck pain, rounded shoulders, and worsening of posture (hunchback).  Neck exercises and  traction are therapies that help with many types of neck pain.

Sole Supports

WHY SOLE SUPPORTS: Plantar Fasciitis,  Bunions, Metatarsalgia, Hammer Toes,  Big Toe,  Arthritis, Morton’s Neuroma, Shin Splints, Knee Pain, Low Back Pain, Children’s Feet, Feet and Pregnancy,  Sports Performance,  IT Band Syndrome, and Shoe Selection.  There are many routine treatments for foot problems, from anti-inflammatory pills to cortisone injections, to a hundred different pads, cushions, ointments and, of course, surgery. All of these have temporary, pain-relieving effects. But, if you want the chance to permanently solve the problem, you must change the way your feet function on the ground. And the only way to do that is to use a true custom, bio-mechanical orthotic: Sole Supports.

Sole Supports are the only custom orthotics available today based on a completely new paradigm (MASS position) that was developed to actually change foot posture and function during weight-bearing activities. The corrected (MASS) position of the foot is captured by a unique casting technique that utilizes a certain density of foam and a sequence of semi-weight-bearing impressions that emulate healthy stance-phase gait (gait-referenced casting). The lab positives made from this cast are never “cast-corrected” to arbitrarily lower arch height as is common in the industry. The resulting shell fits the shape of the foot like a glove and is machine calibrated to have the right properties of flex and rigidity based on the patient’s weight, foot flexibility and activity level. The goal is to significantly limit pronation, facilitate supination and yet flex just enough for comfort. This custom level of rigidity/flex makes us unique in the industry and uniquely effective at improving foot function.

HydroMassage

The physiological effects of heat and massage help treat many types of soft tissue injuries and other conditions such as orthopedic, rheumatic, and neurologic disorders. Hydromassage relaxes tight muscles like a professional hands on massage, but in less time and without the labor.

When you combine the positive health benefits with the overwhelmingly positive feedback you’ll receive from your patients, you’ll understand why hydromassage is one of the most sought after therapies available today.

After treatment is the best!  There is some post-treatment soreness expected with certain therapies.  Hydromassage eases that soreness quickly.  Imagine how you felt the last time you were in a hot tub.  The warmth of the water relaxes you as the pressure of the water jets against your body, soothing your aches and pains. Now imagine feeling this without undressing or getting wet.  Set the timer and within ten minutes you will achieve a state of total relaxation.

Vitamins, Herbs, and Botanicals

Our mission is to get you feeling better as quickly as possible.  Human Clinical Nutrition is a lost art.  Most people do not eat well or do not know how to eat well.  Store bought fruits and vegetables are often picked green and lack the nutrition value of vine-ripened fruits and vegetables.  We can teach which ingredients to look for and which to avoid.  Prescription vitamins are recommended for specific  conditions and symptoms.  We will evaluate your nutritional status before we recommend supplements.  Stress can lead to a variety of ailments as well as uncontrolled high blood pressure, both need specific supplements.  We carry the highest quality of vitamins, and can make recommendations if you are looking to minimize or eliminate your prescription medication you are taking.  Medication can often times be replaced with something that has no side affects, is natural, and considered safe.   Our therapies are natural and wholesome.  You won’t have to trade that headache for an ulcer. Our brands vary from Metagenics, DeeCee labs, Designs for Health, Protocol for life, Pure encapsulation, and products from Moss Nutrition.

Allergy (ALCAT) testing

The ALCAT Test identifies reactions to over 300 foods, chemicals and other substances associated with inflammation that are linked to chronic health problems like migraines, aching joints, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, eczema, hyperactivity/ADD, asthma and even obesity. The ALCAT Test differs from other food allergy or intolerance tests as it accurately and objectively measures leukocyte cellular reactivity in whole blood, which is a final common pathway of all mechanisms. The test utilizes electronic, state of the art, hematological instrumentation. Standard allergy tests, such as skin testing or RAST are not accurate for delayed type reactions to foods and chemicals. They measure only a single mechanism, such as the effect of mast cell release of histamine or the presence of allergen specific IgE molecules. Delayed reactions to foods and chemicals are NOT IgE mediated.   Call for pricing:

1. Platinum Comprehensive (320 Items) - 200 Food Panel, 10 Food Additives/10 Food Colorings Panel, 10 Antibiotics/10 Anti-Inflammatory Agents Panel, 10 Environmental Chemicals Panel, 20 Molds Panel, 50 Functional Foods and Medicinal Herbs.
2. Comprehensive Wellness 1 (250 items) - 200 Food Panel, 10 Food Additives/10 Food Colorings Panel, Environmental Chemicals Panel, 20 Molds Panel.
3. Comprehensive Wellness 2 (220 items) - 200 Food Panel, 10 Food Additives/10 Food Colorings Panel.
4. Comprehensive Wellness 3 (200 Items) - 150 Food Panel, 10 Food Additives/10 Food Colorings Panel, Environmental Chemicals Panel, 20 Molds Panel.
5. Comprehensive Wellness 4 (170 Items) - 150 Food Panel, 10 Food Additives/10 Food Colorings Panel.
6. Comprehensive Wellness 5 (150 Items) - 100 Food Panel, 10 Food Additives/10 Food Colorings Panel, Environmental Chemicals Panel, 20 Molds Panel.
7. Comprehensive Wellness 6 (120 Items) - 100 Food Panel, 10 Food Additives/10 Food Colorings Panel
8. Herbal Wellness 1 (270 Items) - 200 Food Panel, 50 Functional Foods and Medicinal Herbs, 10 Food Additives/10 Food Colorings Panel.
9. Herbal Wellness 2 (220) - 150 Food Panel, 50 Functional Foods and Medicinal Herbs, 10 Food Additives/10 Food Colorings Panel.
10. Add 50 Female Herbs to Any Comprehensive Panel (50 Items) - Expand your comprehensive panel to include testing for an additional 50 female herbs.

Spinal Manipulative Therapy

Spinal adjustments, chiropractic manipulative therapy, and chiropractic adjustments are terms used by chiropractors to describe their approaches to spinal manipulation.

Benefits of spinal adjustments range from temporary, palliative (pain relieving) effects to long term wellness and preventive care. Some claims are controversial, particularly with regard to indications and health benefits. There is debate concerning the safety of some of the procedures used in spinal adjustments, particularly those including upper cervical manipulations.

The ‘Spinal adjustment’ is the chiropractic term for a procedure otherwise known as spinal manipulation.  Spinal manipulation has documented use as far back as Hippocrates and the ancient Egyptians. The techniques were often handed down from generation to generation by families of bonesetters. The modern form of spinal manipulation techniques have characteristic biomechanical features, and are usually associated with an audible “popping” sound. There is strong evidence that this sound is the result of a phenomenon known as cavitation. Many adjustment techniques and methods have been developed through the years by chiropractors, not all of which involve high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust manipulation.

Adjustment - Unique To Chiropractic

Chiropractic authors and researchers Meeker and Haldeman write that the core clinical method that all chiropractors agree upon is spinal manipulation, although chiropractors much prefer to use the term spinal “adjustment”, a term which reflects “their belief in the therapeutic and health-enhancing effect of correcting spinal joint abnormalities.” (p. 218)   Intention: decrease pain, normalize range of motion, correct alignment, and improve joint function

Chiropractic Techniques Used By Dr. LoGiudice

As the chiropractic profession engaged in the pursuit of improving health through chiropractic adjustments to the musculoskeletal system with the intention of taking pressure off of the nervous system, individual practitioners proposed and developed proprietary techniques and methods. Many different approaches remain in chiropractic practice today.   Not all of them involve HVLA thrust manipulation.

• Toggle Drop - this is when the chiropractor, using crossed hands, presses down firmly on a particular area of the spine. Then, with a quick and precise thrust, the chiropractor adjusts the spine. The purpose of the adjustment is to improve mobility in the vertebral joints.
• Lumbar Roll (aka side posture) - the chiropractor positions the patient on his or her side, then applies a quick and precise manipulative thrust to the misaligned lumbar vertebra, returning it to its proper position.
• Release Work - gentle pressure using fingertips to separate the vertebrae (bones of the spine).
• Drop-Table adjustments - The patient lies on a special table with sections that drop down. The chiropractor applies a quick thrust at the same time the section drops. The dropping of the table allows for a lighter adjustment without the twisting positions that can accompany other techniques.
• Instrument adjustments - often the gentlest methods of adjusting the spine. The patient lies on the table face down while the chiropractor uses a spring-loaded activator or electrical instrument to perform the adjustment. This technique is often used to perform adjustments on animals as well.
• Diversified technique - full-spine manipulation;  extremity adjusting, trigger point therapy, disease prevention and early screening advice.

Physiotherapy

Electrical stimulation uses an electrical current to cause a single muscle or a group of muscles to contract. By placing electrodes on the skin in various locations the physical therapist can recruit the appropriate muscle fibers. Contracting the muscle via electrical stimulation helps strengthen the affected muscle. The physical therapist can change the current setting to allow for a forceful or gentle muscle contraction. Along with increasing muscle strength, the contraction of the muscle also promotes blood supply to the area that assists in healing. Also Known As: E Stim

Soft Tissue Manipulation/Stretching

Dr. LoGiudice utilizes mulitple soft tissure techniques in his practice in order to reduce muscle spasms. Some tecniques used in the office are NIMMO, Myofascial Release, Positional Release and Myofacial Trigger Point (MFTP).

Myofascial Release focuses on stretching affected muscles.

Certain injuries, such as strains and sprains, involve muscles that already are over-stretched. In such situations, an appropriate method would be Positional Release, which involves addressing trigger points and placing muscle fibers in a position that is more comfortable for the patient. Injuries and scar tissue tend to cause distortions to muscle fiber, which contribute to the patient’s discomfort.

Activator Method

Activator Methods utilize a small adjusting instrument to facilitate the movement of joints and reduce muscle spasm.
The activator instrument is a low force technique that can be used on newborn to geriatric patients.

Physical Therapy

Physical fitness, exercise promotion, corrective or therapeutic exercise, ergonomic and postural advice, self-care strategies, advice on activities of daily living (ADLs), changing risky andunhealthy behaviors, nutritional and dietary recommendations, relaxation and stress reduction recommendations.

Heat Therapy (Hydrocollator Packs)

A hydrocollator pack is a silica gel filled pack that is soaked in hot water to provide provide prolonged moist heat. A hydrocollator pack is good in any situation that requires penetrating heat, and is an especially good choice for conditions such as hyperkyphosis that benefit from weight in addition to the heat – the larger packs are somewhat heavy when wet.

Cold Therapy (Cryotherapy)

Kinesio Taping

The Kinesio Taping® Method is a definitive rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion as well as providing extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within the clinical setting. Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, Kinesio® Tex Tape is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions. The Kinesio® Taping Method is a therapeutic taping technique not only offering your patient the support they are looking for, but also rehabilitating the affected condition as well. By targeting different receptors within the somatosensory system, Kinesio® Tex Tape alleviates pain and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin.  This lifting affect forms convolutions in the skin thus increasing interstitial space and allowing for a decrease in inflammation of the affected areas.

Anatomotor Intersegmental Traction

The Hill Anatomotor has been a trusted leader among treatment tables for nearly 60 years. Amazingly versatile, the Anatomotor is designed for soft-tissue massage, intermittent and constant traction, heat and vibration.

The Anatomotor has a moving top on which the patient glides back and forth just under the normal respiration rate. During this movement, two sets of adjustable-height massage rollers straddle the spine and rhythmically loosen taut muscles. This deep-kneading massage effectively prepares the patient for traction which actually separates the spinal vertebrae.

With the Hill Traction Control Unit, traction is created as the gliding top pulls against the controlled resistance of the traction unit. Traction force is optional from 0 to 200 pounds and can be applied in several different forms from cervical traction (with the Hill Cervical Device / no pressure on the chin) to full lumbo-sacral traction using the traction harnesses. Therapists may treat with constant or intermittent traction.

The Anatomotor is also ideal for applying passive range of motion to arms, shoulders and legs. Available with optional heat, vibration and unique leg rollers which massage the calves and thighs to relax muscles and increase circulation.