Modalities

Evidence Based

Factors & Variables contributing to injury

Variables producing effective treatment

At Hornsby Spine Centre, we try to find the best possible solutions and combinations of treatment options to integrate with your situation.

Formulating effective treatment plans that take into account each individual's circumstances is very important to us.

Some business people have strict time constraints, some sports people have a preference for more aggressive treatment modalities to meet their training schedules while some other people really don't like to have their necks 'cracked' and may be very bad at doing any home exercises.

We try to take all your factors and variables into account when we provide you with the best possible information or advice regarding treatment options and their outcomes allowing you to play an active role in your care.

We are able to do this through the use of a wide variety of scientifically proven, evidence based modalities that we are able to draw from and use for their effectiveness.

Our Box Of Tools

Active Release Technique
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Active Release Technique

Is a soft tissue/ movement based massage technique designed to reduce the tension of muscles and other soft tissue and restore normal range of motion to affected tissues.

Active Release Technique (ART) was developed, refined and patented by P Michael Leahy (DC, CCSP) after he noticed that his patient's symptoms responded to specific treatment to the soft tissue structures such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia. By first determining which soft tissue structures are affected and then using a combination of elongating the tissue while applying a contact resistance tension, restrictions within soft tissue structures can be addressed.
Active Release Technique
- Is a soft tissue/ movement based massage technique designed to reduce the tension of muscles and other soft tissue and restore normal range of motion to affected tissues.
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Chiropractic Blocking
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Chiropractic Blocking

Is a non- adjustive technique used to unwind and restore motion to the pelvis and lumbar spine through the application of cushioned wedges to portions of the spine and pelvis. These are left in place for a period of time which causes the muscles to relax and normal movement to return.
Chiropractic Blocking
- Is a non- adjustive technique used to unwind and restore motion to the pelvis and lumbar spine through the application of
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Chiropractic Manipulation/ Adjustment
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Chiropractic Manipulation/ Adjustment

Is associated with the safe application of force to a joint in order to move it beyond its passive range of motion, beyond where the muscles can move the joint, but short of where any damage occurs to the joint or the associated tissues.

Adjustments can be made in many forms with the use of drop pieces or activator guns but all are concerned with restoring normal movement to joints. A crack or pop is usually heard and is associated with the separation of the associated joint surfaces and the cavitation of nitrogen bubbles drawn out of solution by the negative pressure.
Chiropractic Manipulation/ Adjustment
- Is associated with the safe application of force to a joint in order to move it beyond its passive range of motion, beyond where
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Chiropractic Mobilization
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Chiropractic Mobilization

Is the application of slow, low velocity forces to joints of the spine or extremities with the aim of increasing the range of motion of the joints by moving the joint through its normal passive range of motion.

Usually no cavitation or crack is heard.
Chiropractic Mobilization
- Is the application of slow, low velocity forces to joints of the spine or extremities with the aim of increasing the range of motion
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Cross Frictioning
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Cross Frictioning

Is the application of substantial repetitive transverse force to a ligament or tendon with the aim of breaking down fibrous or scar tissue as well as promoting blood flow to the affected area.

Injuries to ligaments or tendons usually involve micro tears which stimulate inflammation followed by repair and remodelling. During the repair/ remodelling phase, fibrous tissue is often laid down which may resemble a haphazard net of fibres often running in different directions to the ligament or tendon. This net provides the necessary strength but often restricts the normal movement of the ligament or tendon and can produce pain and swelling and in turn more inflammation.
Cross Frictioning
- Is the application of substantial repetitive transverse force to a ligament or tendon with the aim of breaking down fibrous or scar tissue as
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Cryotherapy
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Cryotherapy

Is the local application of cold (such as ice) to an affected area with the general aim of reducing pain and swelling as well as slowing the inflammatory process.

The initial application of cold to an area causes vasoconstriction or decreased blood flow to the area which is then reversed when the cold is removed, increasing local blood flow causing a wash out effect.
Cryotherapy
- Is the local application of cold (such as ice) to an affected area with the general aim of reducing pain and swelling as well as slowing the
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Deep Tissue Massage
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Deep Tissue Massage

Is the application of manual force with the aim of producing an effect in the deeper muscular structures and fascia or connective tissue of the area.

Deep tissue massage is effective in treating the more chronic fascial and muscular problems such as adhesions.
Deep Tissue Massage
- Is the application of manual force with the aim of producing an effect in the deeper muscular structures and fascia or
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Dry Needling
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Dry Needling

Is the use of acupuncture needles which are inserted into myofascial trigger points or affected ligaments or tendons with the aim of increasing local blood flow, reducing swelling and inflammation and resolving myofascial trigger points.

Dry needling is also effective in pain and swelling control.
Dry Needling
- Is the use of acupuncture needles which are inserted into myofascial trigger points or affected ligaments or tendons with the aim of increasing local
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Exercise Therapy
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Exercise Therapy

Is often used as a rehabilitation technique and used to promote normal movement of muscles and joints. Exercise therapy is also used to strengthen muscles and promote normal joint movement as well as help to stretch tissues under tension.
Exercise Therapy
- Is often used as a rehabilitation technique and used to promote normal movement of muscles and joints. Exercise therapy is also used to strengthen
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Heat Therapy
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Heat Therapy

Is commonly used in rehabilitation and helps with pain control and promoting flexibility of the tissues to which it is applied. Heat therapy increases blood flow to the affected area, promotes healing, decreases pain and swelling, decreases stiffness and reduces muscle spasm.
Heat Therapy
- Is commonly used in rehabilitation and helps with pain control and promoting flexibility of the tissues to which
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Ischaemic Compression
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Ischaemic Compression

Is the direct application of pressure to the surface of the skin in order to compress the trigger points that are found in myofascial pain and dysfunction syndrome.

Ischemic compression deliberately increases the blockage of blood in an area of reduced blood flow to an area so that, upon release, there will be a resurgence of blood. Areas of reduced blood flow are a common feature of myofascial trigger points.

The return and increase in blood flow washes away waste products, supplies necessary oxygen and helps the affected tissue to heal.
Ischaemic Compression
- Is the direct application of pressure to the surface of the skin in order to compress the trigger points that are found in
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Kinesio Taping Method
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Kinesio Taping Method

Is the application of an elasticized adhesive cotton strip over the affected area and is used primarily in the treatment of athletic injuries.

Instead of only providing stability and support Kinesio Tape helps to reduce tension in overused, tight muscles, and can also be used as a rehabilitative technique in the facilitation of under used muscles. Kinesio Tape has also been show to be useful in reducing swelling and promoting healing as well as reducing pain.
Kinesio Taping Method
- Is the application of an elasticized adhesive cotton strip over the affected area and is used primarily in the treatment of athletic injuries.
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Manual Traction
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Manual Traction

Is concerned with the application of gentle opposing manual force to separate joint surfaces with the aim of stretching the associated soft tissue structures or to separate the associated articular surfaces thereby reducing the tension or pressure. Traction can be used to stretch fibrotic tissue, break down adhesions, relieve muscle tension and promote good joint movement.

Traction is also a popular conservative treatment choice for some disk injuries.
Manual Traction
- Is concerned with the application of gentle opposing manual force to separate joint surfaces with the aim of stretching the associated soft tissue structures
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Motion Palpation/ Palpation
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Motion Palpation/ Palpation

Is a diagnostic technique concerned with examining the range of motion of the joints of the body both of the spine and of the extremities. By assessing the range of motion of joints and comparing them to the normal parameters for those joints we can deduce any reduction in movement or dysfunction of the movement.
Motion Palpation/ Palpation
- Is a diagnostic technique concerned with examining the range of motion of the joints of the body both of the spine and of the extremities. By
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Network Spinal Analysis (NSA)
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Network Spinal Analysis (NSA)

Is a very gentle form of Chiropractic associated with soft/ gentle contacts applied to specific areas of the spine designed to stimulate the brain to find new strategies to help to relieve tension patterns within the body. Network Spinal Analysis combines portions of various Chiropractic techniques and is concerned with the overall wellness of the body rather than just symptomatic relief.
Network Spinal Analysis (NSA)
- Is a very gentle form of Chiropractic associated with soft/ gentle contacts applied to specific areas of the spine designed to stimulate the brain to find
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Nutritional Advice
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Nutritional Advice

Is involved with assessing the diet of someone with the aim of improving the intake of necessary or essential nutrients for the correct functioning of the body as well as reducing the intake of incorrect nutrients or foods.
Nutritional Advice
- Is involved with assessing the diet of someone with the aim of improving the intake of necessary or essential nutrients for the correct functioning of the body as well as reducing the intake of incorrect nutrients or foods.
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Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
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Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

Is concerned with stretching and contracting a muscle, or groups of muscles, simultaneously in order to promote flexibility and range of motion while at the same time reducing muscle spasm and pain. PNF stretching is an excellent form of rehabilitation and is used to specifically target individual muscles or muscle groups.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
- Is concerned with stretching and contracting a muscle, or groups of muscles, simultaneously in order to promote flexibility and range of motion while at the same
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Stretching
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Stretching

Is concerned with the application of force in order to lengthen a muscle while the body is at rest and keep that muscle in that position for a short period of time.

The elongation of the muscle helps to increase the range of motion of restricted muscles by means of 'resetting' the muscle spindle fibres and Golgi tendon bodies which both provide information to the brain telling the brain what position the muscle is in. Isometric or static stretching is usually used to cool muscles and during rehabilitation.

Dynamic stretching or moving muscles through their range of motion gradually increasing the range of motion is usually used before exercise in order to prepare the muscles for the work ahead.
Stretching
- Is concerned with the application of force in order to lengthen a muscle while the body is at rest and keep that muscle in that position for a short period of time
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