Treatment
Each visit expect to receive a Gonstead Spinal Adjustment with Extremity Manipulation, as well as Electric Stimulation (10-15 minutes of electronic massage while heat or ice is placed along the back or neck), a mechanical massage is administered for about five minutes, using such machines as the G5 Trigger Point machine. All these services are included each and every visit.
*Electric Stimulation cannot be used on pregnant women or people who have specific instructions from their doctor to not receive it (such as people who have had back surgery.) Some patients do not like electric stimulation or do not have time for it and can choose to go without it any visit.*
Take Home Supports
Dr Fischer keeps a number of supportive therapy items in stock. He sometimes suggests lumbar support belts to help the lower back on a day to day basis. He also stocks orthotics for your shoes, which help to align the back; TENS Units which are lower powered portable Electronic Stimulation machines; BIOFREEZE Cryotherapy; neck braces; and cervical support pillows.
New Patients And Their Care Plans
New patients are normally sent for X-rays after their first visit and may or may not receive a full adjustment based on their back concerns and Dr. Fischer's examination (Dr. Fischer will likely do a light adjustment with a Activator to help relieve some pain.) A second doctor examines these X-rays to give Dr. Fischer a second opinion. If you had X-rays taken recently please bring those with or have the report faxed to us at 978-250-1515.
Generally, for a person in a large amount of pain, the doctor would order a treatment plan for the patient to be seen three times a week for two to three weeks. This may seem like a lot, but patients who follow this plan do not tend to return in a condition as bad as when they started treating. After this initial plan, a re-evaluation would be completed and the treatment plan lessened in accordance with reduction of pain and improvement to problem areas.
Many patients feel better at this point and decide they are done treating. This is not suggested. It is recommended to treat once or twice a month while in a state of maintenance care. Many patients who follow through with recommended treatment get down to treating once every three weeks or once a month and rarely relapse into any major pain.
New patient forms will be available for download on our Patient Resources page as soon as possible. This will save you time on your first visit.