In order to perfrom the best and most effective treatment for your particular condition, it requires careful and detailed examinations. We will start by asking you since when, which part and how it's hurting or not functioning. The examination at the first visit will be an important data to designate the treating parts and to create a treatment plan.

History Taking

This is one of the most important procedures. We ask your chief complaint, onset, quality and quantity of pain, presence of tingling or numbness, mechanism of injury, painful site, posture, gait, past medical history, family history, hobbies and sports, habits, diets, lifestyle, and any other related questions. All the information you tell us is strictly confidential.

Inspection

We look for edema, discoloration, scars, deformities or any changes relating to your condition. If necessary, we observe your posture and gait and your movements of how you sit or stand, and also we may check your shoes to see if they are adequately supporting you.

Palpation

Palpation gives us a lot of important information which cannot be obtained by just looking, such as temperature differences, edema, tone, texture and tightness of muscles and so on.

Range of Motion

Palpation gives us a lot of important information which cannot be obtained by just looking, such as temperature differences, edema, tone, texture and tightness of muscles and so on.

Orthopedic Examinations

If necessary, we perform some simple examinations in order to rule in and out possible conditions, and accurately find out the nature of your ailment.

Neurological Examinations

If there is numbness and tingling sensations or dysfunction of the motor system, we may perform some simple examinations such as reflex reaction, sensations of skin, and muscle strength. This is also to rule in and out possible conditions to come up with a possible diagnosis.

Movement Pattern of Neuromusculoskeletal System

Movement patterns have been described by famous Czech manual therapists for centuries. A movement pattern is a sequence of muscular events that are normal for a given joint. We observe your joints and all of the surrounding structures (muscles, fascia, tendons, capsule, bursa, ligaments and nerves) and how they function as a whole; capsules and ligaments which surround joints, muscles which move joints, nervous system which controls muscles. Normal functions occur only when all of these systems work in coordination.

Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Mobilization

Joint mobilization is a subtype of joint manipulative therapy in which the therapist moves the joints gently in specific directions and depths with, or without, the patient's assistance, to stretch the joint and its surrounding tissues. By mobilize the joint, there is an increase in overall range of motion and also malpositioned joints are gradually brought back into the correct position. We check the function of the joints and address hyper/hypo-mobile joints to restore the normal range of motion.

Adjustment / Manipulation

One of the unique treatment methods that only a licensed and trained Chiropractor can administer to a specific joint based on scientific evidence. It is a rapid movement of high-velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrust. It is sometimes referred to as a chiropractic "adjustment", "grade-5 manipulation", "thrust", "impulse" or "spinal manipulative therapy (SMT)". What this does is to restore the joint function and normal range of motion, and on top of that it gives stimulation to the physiological condition and nervous system surrounding the joint.

Soft Tissue Approaches

ART®(Active Release Techniques®), AKA Myofascial Release Techniques, PIR(Post-Isometric Relaxation), trigger point therapy, Graston Technique®

* There are only a few well trained and certified ART® providers in Japan now. Dr. Abe is full-body certified and advanced ART® provider. She is also a provider of Graston Technique®.

What is ART® (Active Release Techniques®)?

ART® is a system that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Certain types of headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fascitis, knee problems, shin splints, and tennis or golfer's elbow are just a few of the many examples that can be resolved quickly with ART®. These conditions are commonly from injury to over-used structures. Over-use trauma can produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up surrounding tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles and tendons cannot function optimally and nerves can become trapped. Therefore reduced range of motion, loss of strength, tightness and pain can be caused. There are over 500 treatment protocols, very specific moves which are unique to ART®. We identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each condition. There is no cookie-cutter approach with ART®.

What is Graston Technique®?

Graston Technique® is successful in effectively treating all soft tissue conditions, whether they are chronic or acute and post surgical. Graston Technique® is an innovative, patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.

Exercises / Rehabilitation

Stretching, muscle strengthening, core muscle training, coordination and balance exercise. These are crucial parts of treatment to decrease your pain, to correct your problem faster, to stop recurrence and to prevent further injuries.

Physical Therapy

Thermotherapy, taping, cryotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and other physiotherapy modalities to assist treatments.