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The following conditions and dysfunctions are the common ailments that clients seek therapy for. The videos and pictures accompanying each condition are actual clients who received this work from our therapists here at the Lamont Alignment Clinic (LAC). We wanted to give comparison between traditional treatments, procedures and therapies so as to allow clients a way of comparing options for pain treatment. It is our goal to add another option to every persons journey towards ridding their body from pain.

• Whiplash

  Whiplash/ Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration (CAD)

  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Pain medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, cervical collar, range of motion exercises, physical therapy, and cervical traction may also be prescribed.

  Alignment Therapy Treatment

  CAD is a quick acceleration forward and immediate jerk backward of the cervical spine (the neck). Clients suffering from CAD complain of pain, numbness in the head and neck, tension and frontal headaches, tingling into the hands, referral pain and shortening into the shoulder cap musculature.

  Therapists focus on lengthening the muscles, tendons, ligaments and referral areas affected by CAD. Once the client is out of the acute phase of CAD, therapists use neck unwinding and fascial manipulation to the muscles of the neck and shoulder. Finishing work is done to the shoulder girdle if compensation or spiraling is present. (symptoms and twisting in the body, common in clients shifting or guarding after a trauma/injury.

• Bulged and Ruptured Discs

  Bulged and Ruptured Discs

  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Injection of cortisone, rehabilitation, physical therapy, anti-depressants, surgical procedures: Chemonucleolysis, IDET, Discectomy/Microdiscectomy, Laminectomy, Hemilaminectomy, Lumbar fusion, Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (for cervical disc herniation), Disc arthroplasty, Dynamic stabilization, Artificial disc replacement, Nucleoplasty

  Alignment Therapy Treatment

  Bulging discs occur when short tissue or injury in experienced one-sided in the body. The intervertebral disc bulges out to one side of the vertebral column. When bulged discs are left untreated they lead to herniated discs in which the nucleus of the disc ruptures or herniates and leaks fluid into the spinal column and surrounding structures.

  Alignment therapists assess the spinal column and hips to ascertain when the compression or initial injury took place. Spinal and pelvic protocols target the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons that created the bulge or herniation. Relief is also given to the areas of pain or discomfort the client has experienced as a result of compensation.

• Carpal Tunnel

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  Carpal Tunnel

  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Splinting or bracing, steroid injections, activity modification, physiotherapy, regular massage therapy treatments, chiropractic, medications, and surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament.

  Alignment Therapy Treatment

  Carpal tunnel is an impingement of the median nerve deep to the transverse carpal ligament. (muscle/connective tissue shortening on the inside of the wrist) Muscles of the arm, wrist and hand lose cardiovascular and nerve flow due to overuse and tension. (i.e typing at a computer, cutting hair, working construction) Therapists perform specific arm, elbow, wrist and hand work to break up scar tissue and connective tissue build up/deposits. Assessment is also given to the shoulder girdle to address common compensation dysfunctions such as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

• Fibromyalgia

  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Prescription medication, behavioral intervention, exercise, alternative and complementary medicine.

  Alignment Therapy Treatment

  Fibromyalgia is muscle and connective tissue pain, a medical disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and allodynia, a heightened and painful response to pressure. Therapists incorporate “unwinding” into their sessions with clients with fibromyalgia. Unwinding works to mobilize the joints and surrounding soft tissues to create length and heat while not creating pain. Therapists work multi-directionally in order to break up connective tissue scaring, adhesions or “knots” that created the initial pain or dysfunction.

• Chronic headaches

  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Aspirin, acetaminophen, aspirin compounds, ibuprofen, narcotics, abortive medications can be used to “stop a headache once it has begun”; such drugs include ergotamine (Cafergot), triptans (Imitrex), and prednisone (Deltasone).

  Alignment Therapy Treatment

  A headache or cephalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. Alignment Therapists do not diagnose between different classifications of headaches but rather assess to determine where the headache originated. (I.E Aligning the upper back/neck muscles for tension headaches, the side of neck muscles for frontal headaches etc.) Therapists work with the client to locate through palpation which nerves and blood vessels are compressed in order to restore proper cardiovascular and nervous supply to the cranium and surrounding structures.

• Low Back Pain

  Low Back Pain

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  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Surgery, Physical therapy including heat, ice, massage, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation. Medications such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen.

  Alignment Therapy Treatment

  Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting 80% of people at some point in their lives. In the United States it is the most common cause of job-related disability, a leading contributor to missed work, and the second most common neurological ailment — only headache is more common. Therapists work to align the spine and supporting structures, the connective tissues and muscles, in order to decompress the affected nerves and blood vessels. Back pain can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, headaches, sexual and reproductive dysfunction. Therapists cater sessions specifically towards the client’s need based on information gathered in the assessment.

• Neck Pain

  Neck Pain

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  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Medication: Analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs for pain, Muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine, Surgery.

  Alignment Therapy Treatment

  Neck pain or cervicalgia is a common problem, with two-thirds of the population having neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain, although felt in the neck, can be caused by numerous other spinal problems. Neck pain may arise due to muscular tightness in both the neck and upper back, or pinching of the nerves emanating from the cervical vertebrae. Joint disruption in the neck creates pain, as does joint disruption in the upper back. Therapists conduct a cervical assessment to determine range of motion and limitation so as to not take the client past what he/she can physically perform. Sessions utilize vertebral mobilization through unwinding and specific Alignment technique to each of the muscular attachments on the head and neck. By working muscles/connective tissue attachments combined with unwinding, therapists are able to access even the deepest of attachments located on the front of the cervical spine.

• Shoulder Conditions

  Shoulder Conditions

  Dislocations, separations, tendinitis, bursitis, impingement syndromes, and rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder fracture and arthritis

  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Arthroscopic surgery, rehabilitation pre-post surgery, rest, icing, NSAIDs and a sling, anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin, naproxen (Naprosyn), ibuprofen (Nurofen, Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin), or COX-2 selective inhibitors (Celebrex, Vioxx, or Mobic), ultrasound (gentle sound-wave vibrations) to warm deep tissues and improve blood flow.cortisone injections, over the counter Glucosamine Chondroitin,restricting activity, anti-inflammatory medications (or supplements), physical therapy, and occasionally cortisone shots

  Alignment Therapy Treatments

  Shoulder conditions including pain, are one of the more common reasons for physician visits for musculoskeletal symptoms. The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body, however unstable because of this range of motion. This instability increases the likelihood of joint injury, often leading to a degenerative process in which tissues break down and no longer function well. Therapists perform range of motion and stress tests to gauge how well the tissues respond and where possible impingements, weakness, locking and pain is experienced. Therapists focus on the shoulder girdle in its entirety accessing all four sides as well as inside the armpit (axilla) to address the glenohumeral joint.

• Spine and Disc Degeneration

  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Surgery. physical therapy, chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT) and other chiropractic treatments, osteopathic manipulation, anti-inflammatory medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, traction, or spinal injections.

  Alignment Therapy Treatments

  Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, often called “degenerative disc disease” (DDD) of the spine, is a condition in which the intervertebral discs become compressed or wear unevenly causing pain and arthritic symptoms. Alignment therapy creates space between the vertebrae to allow for proper cardiovascular and nervous flow to enter and exit the vertebral column. The surrounding musculature, organs and connective tissues are also aligned so as not to continue pulling unevenly on the discs and vertebrae.

• Juvenile/Adolescent Therapy

  Juvenile/Adolescent Therapy

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  note: juvenile/adolescent therapy is most commonly used for growing pains, gastrointestinal conditions due to stress and/or diet, headaches, depression and low self esteem, and sports induced injuries.

  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Growing pains: massage, hot baths and analgesic drugs such as paracetamol

  Gastrointestinal conditions: Antibiotics, Anti motility agents, Bismuth compounds, Codeine phosphate, Zinc, lactobacillus, increased intake of water, and fiber, Enemas, laxatives, milk of magnesia, prokinetics, prucalopride, lubiprostone, manual disimpaction, lactulose, milk of magnesia, polyethylene glycol

  Headaches: Aspirin, acetaminophen, aspirin compounds, ibuprofen, narcotics, abortive medications can be used to “stop a headache once it has begun”; such drugs include ergotamine (Cafergot), triptans (Imitrex), and prednisone (Deltasone)

  Depression: Electroconvulsive therapy, antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, psychotherapy

  Sports induced injury: arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, hormonal therapy, neurological agents, wearing a sling, rest, icing, NSAIDs, anesthetic injections, ultrasound, restricting activity, anti-inflammatory medications (or supplements), physical therapy, cortisone, surgery

  Alignment Therapy Treatments

  Juvenile/Adolescent therapy is determined by therapist and parental guardian. Therapists work directly with parents/guardians to create and specialize sessions to the child/teenager’s need(s). The indications for therapy listed above are the common complaints and conditions that we have seen here at the Lamont Alignment Clinic.

  Therapists work to improve blood flow through movement and friction techniques to improve cardiovascular supply to the joints being expanded and pulled due to growing pains as well as to lengthen the developing muscles creating the pull.

  Gastrointestinal conditions are addressed by working the viscera (intestines, organs and soft tissues of the abdominal cavity) using unwinding and lengthening to break up scar tissue, gluing of intestines to one another and plaque build up due to poor diet, lack of exercise or stress related stagnation with the intestinal track. The muscles of the vertebral column are also worked to address any possible nerve impingements, connective tissue shortening, or referral pain.
  Headaches: Please see headache conditions in the drop menu above

  Depression is addressed by working with the client’s central nervous system, spinal column and sacrum. Currently there are no conclusive studies that show how depression is affected by Alignment Therapy, either positively or negatively. Our therapists address the clients nerve roots at the spinal column to create space and proper synapse. It is our goal to alleviate any possibility of depression due to impingements, pain, improper blood flow and nerve synapse.

  Sports induced injury are extremely common and consequently parents are looking to alternative therapies to aid in relief. We ask that when injured, parents of children with sports induced injuries, consult their physician first and inquire of them if Alignment Therapy is an option for the child. Once referred, therapists work to create treatment plans catered towards the specific injury acquired. Soft tissue repair and manipulation, scar tissue break up, restoration of range of motion and proper function is the treatment focus.

• Athletic Performance
  Athletic performance

  Traditional Treatments/Procedures

  Dietary Supplements, anaerobic exercise, performance enhancing drugs, personal training, physical therapy, massage therapy, stretching, icing.

  Alignment Therapy Treatments

  Athletic performance is primarily based on human physical competition, demanding the qualities of stamina, fitness and skill. Therapists work with the athlete’s training regiment to cater sessions specifically towards weekly goals or goals set forth by the athlete’s physical trainer. Lengthening all applicable tissues to increase performance includes working the hip flexors and spinal extensors for active jumping athletes, quadriceps and hamstring compartments for long distance athletes, and injury and scar tissue lengthening for rehabilitation athletes.

• Trauma & Surgical Recovery
  Trauma and Surgical recoveryTraditional Treatments and Procedures

  Anti-inflammatory medications: cyclooxygenase, prostaglandins, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol, acetaminophen, Tylenol, endocannabinoids, pain medication: paracetamol and NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, opiates and morphinomimetics, flupirtine, tricyclic antidepressants: amitriptyline, anticonvulsants, codeine, diclofenac-containing gel, capsaicin, tetrahydrocannabinol, ketamine, clonidine, orphenadrine, cyclobenzaprine, scopolamine, atropine, gabapentin, adjuvant analgesics, epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, neurolytic blocks, spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal drug delivery system implants, physiotherapy, chiropracty, clinical psychology and occupational therapy.

  Alignment Therapy Treatments

  Trauma and surgery can often go together simultaneously. Trauma is a physical wound or injury, surgery an operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, to help improve bodily function or appearance, and sometimes for religious reasons.

  The recovery from trauma and surgery is determined by the patient/client. Clients wary of pain killers use Alignment Therapy as a way to increase soft tissue healing time. When the body injures, the physiological response is to lay down scar tissue to create a “webbing” or splinting of the area to avoid further movement or injury. Once the body is out of the acute phase of healing (inflammation and swelling) therapists begin to manipulate the scar tissue to keep it healthy and begin increasing the tissues range of motion. Tissue rehabilitation such as this depends on health, age and client commitment to recovery.

• Knee Degeneration
  Traditional Treatments/Procedures for Knee Degeneration: Weight loss regime, Exercise, Analgesics/NSAID’s, Corticosteroid injections into the knee joint, Hyaluronic Acid Therapy and in severe cases surgery may be required

  Alignment Therapy Treatments/Procedures for Knee Dislocation:

  Degeneration of the knee joint is a common arthritic knee condition in which the cartilage of the knee joint has been slowly worn away due to improper placement. Alignment therapy creates space in-between the base of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (lower leg bone).  By increasing the space between the largest weight bearing bones of the body, therapists are able to mold clients into a more comfortable joint placement free from friction and associated pain.  Although we are not building or regenerating cartilage, the pressure relieved on the joint and subsequent freedom of movement experienced creates a more functional knee joint and placement for the client.

The Lamont Alignment Clinic does not prescribe, diagnose, recommend, or give counsel on any of the following “traditional treatments and procedures” outside of our specialty, Alignment Therapy treatments. The following stories are personal stories spoken from those who experienced, LAC does not make any specific claims about these results as results are client specific.