Interferential Therapy

What is interferential therapy?

It is a therapeutic treatment to aid in the relief of pain and the promotion of soft tissue healing.

How does it work?

Tiny amounts of electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the vicinity of the injury.  Where these waves intersect below the surface of the skin, a low-frequency stimulation is created.  This prompts the body to secrete endorphins and other natural pain killers to help relieve pain.

What does interferential therapy feel like?

Most patients find the therapy to be extremely beneficial and describe the treatment as a faint "pins and needles" sensation.

Why would this type of therapy be used?

Interferential therapy is most often used for pain relief and to aid in reducing swelling of soft tissues.  Ligament sprains, muscle strains and spasms often respond to this treatment, helping to reduce atrophy and increase blood circulation.

Patient benefits:

• Reduces painful symptoms
• Decreases local swelling
• Promotes muscle tone
• Restores normal movements
• Releases the body's natural pain killers
• Accelerates the healing process

Infantile Colic

A common condition treated at Schubbe Resch Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Centers in Appleton is infantile colic.  An infant’s intestinal tract contains a balance of both good and bad bacteria. The good bacteria is primarily bifido bacterium, and to a lesser degree, acidophilus.  Certain factors diminish the levels of bifido bacterium (a good bacteria), causing e-coli (a not always good bacteria) to predominate.  When an infant’s intestinal tract is out of balance, colicky behavior may result.  At our office, we observe three common factors leading to colicky behavior:

1. Cesarean section/birth:  The bacteria actually arrive in the newborn as the baby passes through the birth canal. Babies born via cesarean section do not receive bacteria via the birth canal.
2. Antibiotics:  Although these are sometimes necessary, antibiotics exert a pronounced adverse effect on the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract.  Therefore, when antibiotics are being used or have been used, it is important to reestablish these helpful bacteria in large numbers.
3. Bottle feeding: Infants that have been bottle-fed from birth, or weaned before three months, have far lower numbers of the beneficial bifido bacterium.

An examination and history by our doctors will determine whether a colicky baby is in need of supplementation of Ultra Bifidus.  Chiropractic care may also be recommended as it has been shown to be highly effective in treating colicky babies.

It is extremely important to consult with your medical professional to be sure you are using the proper bacteria supplement based on your child’s age. At age seven, children’s intestinal tracts change and the primary beneficial bacteria is acidophilus, which is also available as a supplement.  Giving yogurt to your child does not take the place of the proper bacteria supplementation.

Those who might need acidophilus (age seven and above) or bifidus (up to age seven) supplements are:

• Children with a history of oral thrush.
• Children with a history of diarrhea, constipation, or colic.
• Children with a history of a skin condition such as eczema.
• Children with a history of antibiotic therapy.
• Children born by cesarean section.

We would be happy to help you chose the proper bacteria supplement for your child based on their symptoms and age.

How Ultrasound Works

Ultrasound is a therapeutic treatment using high-frequency sound waves administered in the region of soft tissue injuries.  This modality is used in the treatment of arthritis, neuromas, adhesive scars, and where increasing the tissue temperature is the desired effect.

Sound vibrations, as fast as a million times per second, penetrate tissues deep in the body, creating a heat response.  These vibrations and heat help break down and disperse unhealthy calcium and other hard tissue accumulations.

The gel used to conduct the sound waves may be warm or at room temperature.  When the wand is moved over the injured area, most patients feel nothing, or a pleasant and relaxing sensation below the surface of the skin.

Ultrasound treatment can usually be administered directly to the area of complaint, penetrating deep into the body.  The rise in temperature increases blood flow, relaxes muscle spasm, massages damaged tissues, and speeds the healing process.

Patient Benefits:

• Highly effective in treating calcium deposition
• Stimulates healing without irritation
• Speeds metabolism and improves blood flow
• Reduces nerve root irritation
• Enhances the body's natural healing ability.

Winter Backache and Vitamin D

New research suggests that your chronic winter backache could be helped by taking vitamin D.

Based on a review of research by Stewart Leavitt, PhD, patients with chronic back pain usually had inadequate vitamin D levels.  And their pain was significantly reduced when they received adequate vitamin D supplementation.

Dr Leavitt's report, "Vitamin D: A Neglected 'Analgesic' for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain" includes these important points:

• Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.  Among other things, inadequate vitamin D intake can result in softening of bone surfaces, called osteomalacia, which causes pain.  The lower back seems to be particularly vulnerable.
• The current suggested intake of vitamin D is outdated.  Many people need much more, especially in the late fall and winter months, and especially in the northern regions.  Vitamin D is safe in doses up to 10,000 IU per day, and has few interactions with medicines.
• Taking vitamin D does not mean you can forget about exercise, stretching, or good posture for your back health.

Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency are:

• Darker pigmented skin that does not convert UV rays efficiently to vitamin D (e.g. Hispanic, African American, Asian)
• Digestive disorders such as celiac disease
• Use of glucocorticoid medications for conditions such as lung diseases and allergies
• Minimal sun exposure
• Latitude and season

Consult with your health care provider if you are concerned about your vitamin D levels.  Our office sells several varieties and dosages of vitamin D for your convenience.