State of the Art Care

Draeger Chiropractic and Laser Center is a state-of-the-art facility located in Weston, Wisconsin. We strive to provide our patients with the latest technologies and techniques to stay on the cutting edge of chiropractic treatment. We are currently utilizing a unique combination of cold laser therapy and decompression and the results have been unparalleled.

We see a wide variety of patients, from the elite professional athlete, to the person suffering from chronic pain, and virtually everyone in-between.

In addition to traditional chiropractic treatment and the cold laser therapy and decompression, we also offer: Cox Flexion and Distraction Techniques, Digital X-Rays, Resting and Metabolic Evaluations, Custom Rehab and Exercise Programs, Osteoporosis Screening, Metabolic Assessment, Neurological Testing, Pediatric Services and much more.

There are many different aspects to proper Chiropractic Care and we at Draeger Chiropractic and Laser Center look forward to implementing a customized treatment plan to ultimately help you reach Health Beyond Imagination!



Cold Laser Therapy

Our doctors at Draeger Chiropractic utilize the most powerful state-of-the-art cold laser technology in the world. The word "laser" is used to describe a device that directs light energy into the body's cells. The cells then convert into chemical energy to promote natural healing and pain relief. Laser treatment is a safe, non-invasive, pain-free and drug-free way of treating muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, bones, nerves, and dermal areas. This type of light source used does not permit heat damage or cancer causing effects.

Used in Europe for over 30 years, lasers are considered one of the most effective treatments for pain and inflammation in muscles, tendons, and joints. There are more than 120 double blind studies confirming the clinical effects of laser therapy, with over 300 research reports published. More than 90% of these studies verify the clinical value of laser therapy.

TREATMENT GOALS

  • Relieve acute and chronic pain
  • Increase the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair (scar tissue is more flexible)
  • Increase blood supply
  • Stimulate the immune system
  • Stimulate nerve function
  • Develop collagen and muscle tissue
  • Help generate new and healthy cells and tissue
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Dr. Draeger is excited to be on the cutting edge of technology with the use of cold laser light therapy in his office. He has been working side by side with the physicist who developed therapeutic cold laser. The new Class III High Power Laser has been approved by the FDA to help treat a multitude of conditions including low back pain, shoulder injuries, fibromyalgia, neck pain/whiplash, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, rotator cuff injuries, chronic headaches, arthritis, and hip pain.

    Laser therapy is also known as phototherapy and low-level laser therapy. The word “laser” is used to describe a device that directs light energy into the body’s cells which the cells then convert into chemical energy to promote natural healing and pain relief. It works by allowing photons to enter the tissue and become absorbed in the cells mitochondria (the cells powerhouse). Within the mitochondria, the photonic energy is converted to electromagnetic energy in the form of ATP. This additional ATP is energy the cell uses that triggers many good physiological responses from the body; healing, anti-inflammation, pain-relief, stimulates the immune system, increases cell metabolism, improved blood flow and vasodilatation, and anti-edematous effects (aids in reducing retained water).

    There are more than 120 double blind positive studies confirming the clinical effects of laser therapy. More than 300 research reports have been published. More than 90% of these studies do verify the clinical value of laser therapy. A review of the research literature of studies that produce negative results one finds that low dose was the single most significant factor. By dose is meant the energy of the light delivered to a given unit area during a treatment session. The energy is measured in joules and the area in cm2. Assuming that the power of the laser remains constant during the treatment, the energy of the light will be equal to the power in watts multiplied by the time in seconds during which the light is emitted. Therefore, a laser with more power (watts) can deliver the same amount of energy (joules) in less time. If we use a pulsed laser we can extend the above statement by saying that a pulsed laser with more average power (watts) can deliver the same amount of energy (joules) in less time and at deeper target tissues than continuous wave lasers.

    Lasers have been used in Europe for over 30 years and are considered the most effective treatment for pain and inflammation in muscles, tendons and joints. Laser therapy is a drug-free, non-invasive therapy with superior healing ability. However, since lasers produce a high intensity light, one should never shine the laser directly into the eye. Protective eyewear will be provided. Further it is recommended that the laser device not be used directly on any neoplasmic (cancer) tissue, or on the thyroid. Pregnant patients should refrain from laser therapy applied directly on the abdomen.

    The laser systems we use have light sources that are safe, non invasive, produce no ionizing radiation and will not heat-damage the skin.


    Cox Flexion / Distraction

    Cox Flexion Distraction is a gentle, non surgical, chiropractic spinal manipulation adjustment procedure. This technique can be used to treat back and leg pain and neck and arm pain. This adjustment is administered by a Doctor of Chiropractic who has received training in Cox Flexion/Distraction technique.

    Cox flexion distraction can relieve pain, realign the spine and restore range of motion by reducing the pressure on the spinal discs by applying traction to the spine and producing motions that are normal for the spine.

    The patient lays face down of the Cox Flexion Distraction table. The Doctor will place his or her hands on the patients back in the area that is to be treated. While holding a segment of your spine in place, the Doctor will move the table up or down, from side to side or in a slow circular motion. These motions simulate normal motions of your spine. This helps to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements as to restore spinal motion without pain.

    BENEFITS

  • Increases disc height improving circulation
  • Allows the center of the disc to assume its central position and relieves irritation of the spinal cord
  • Improves posture and motion while relieving pain and improving body function.

  • Decompression Therapy

    Decompression therapy stretches the spine in a safe, controlled and very specific way to open the disc spaces using a very sophisticated computer/traction system. The therapy decreases the pressure on the discs and allows an increase of blood flow to help reduce inflammation and heal the area. Research indicates in some cases bulges may be pulled or drawn in by decompression and dramatically help relieve pinched nerves.

    The system used is designed to create a reduction in disc pressure through cyclical stretching. Cyclical stretching uses a gradual increase in pull with resting periods, which overrides the body's natural defensive mechanism of muscle spasm, allowing the traction to work. This therapy has a profound effect on the healing process by increasing the contact of blood and nutrients resulting in decreased muscle spasm, local pain, and radicular pain.

    TREATMENT GOALS

  • Improve circulation and nutrition to the disc
  • Decrease muscle spasm
  • Decrease local and radiating pain
  • Stretch scar tissue and connective tissue for more flexibility

  • Digital X-Rays

    X-rays are taken (if needed) to further examine areas of pain or restricted motion. Our state-of-the-art digital x-ray system provides much higher quality images than typical x-rays and can be easily enhanced to allow for very detailed review


    Electrical Muscle Stimulation Therapy

    Electrical muscle stimulation is a special form of electrical current that is administered at the site of soft tissue injury, especially muscles, for the blocking of pain.

    Small amounts of electrical current are induced into the tissues for the purpose of reducing swelling. This widely used technique safely strengthens muscles and helps reduce painful symptoms.


    Exercise Programs

    Rehab therapy is a set of repetitive stretching or strengthening maneuvers designed to develop weakened or injured muscle groups that support the spine. Specific exercises help rehabilitate and stabilize the spine.

    By the time many patients seek professional help, fibrotic scar tissue has changed the elasticity and strength of supporting muscles. A program of carefully designed stretches and exercises helps restore better tone to these damaged tissues.

    The individual bones of the spine are held in place by muscles and ligaments. Proper motion and position of these bones are crucial for proper nervous system function, correct posture and good health. Exercises and repeated maneuvers help re-pattern and condition these connective tissues.

    TREATMENT GOALS

  • Increase range of motion
  • Retains damaged muscles
  • Strengthen spinal structure
  • Speeds rehabilitation
  • Helps adjustments hold

  • Extremity Adjustments

    Extra spinal adjustments are performed by a doctor of chiropractic. These adjustments are performed on an area other than the spine. Extra spinal areas are the head (including the TMJ), lower extremities (knee, ankle) upper extremities (shoulder, elbow, wrist), rib cage and the abdomen. The doctor will move the extremity to assure that there is not restriction of motion. If the joint does not move freely, the Doctor of Chiropractic will administer an extra spinal adjustment. An adjustment can be done by hand (manually), with the aid of a special table (drop table) or with a small instrument (activator). Doctors of Chiropractic all have individual adjusting styles but all are trained and licensed. Our doctors have performed literally thousands of adjustments.

    A small audible "pop" can sometimes be heard during an adjustment. This "pop" is gas releasing from your joint, no different than you popping your knuckles.


    Individualized Rehabilitation

    An individualized rehab program will be designed for each patient. While at Draeger Chiropractic they will be instructed on how to perform each step of their program so they are proficient enough to continue on their own. This portion of the program may include; ball, mat and banding exercises to increase strength and stretching, review of the metabolic exercise program, and how to perform muscle work at home.

    TREATMENT GOALS

  • Help maintain achieved results
  • Improve athletic performance
  • Better pain management
  • Improve your cardiovascular health and fitness
  • Increase energy levels
  • Lose weight
  • Lower your risk for serious health problems
  • Enjoy a more active and rewarding lifestyle

  • Intersegmental Traction

    Intersegmental traction is a way of inducing passive motion into the spine for the purpose of flexing spinal joints, increasing mobility and preventing disc degeneration. Since discs do not have a blood supply, they get their nutrients from the circulation of fluids surrounding spinal joints. Fixations prevent this natural circulation and can cause disc thinning and degeneration. Intersegmental traction helps increase and restore necessary elasticity and motion to the spine.

    The patient lies face up on a bench table, which has roller-type cams beneath its surface. These rollers can slowly travel the length of the spine, flexing spinal joints.

    BENEFITS

  • Increases mobility
  • Improves circulation of spinal fluids
  • Helps prevent disc degeneration

  • Metabolic Assessment

    Part of our client's initial evaluation includes an exercising metabolic rate and VO2 max. Using this information, we are able to develop a customized exercise program targeting the optimal heart rate and exercise format (aerobic and weight) that will allow the body to burn fat during workouts, instead of carbohydrates (sugars). By training the body to burn fat during exercise it will also learn to burn fat at rest. As fat is metabolized, over double the energy is released versus metabolizing carbohydrates making the body much more efficient. VO2 max will be measured to help determine how much air the lungs can hold during exercise.

    TREATMENT GOALS

  • Maximize your efficiency, avoid over-training or under-training
  • Improve athletic performance
  • Improve your cardiovascular health and fitness
  • Increase energy levels
  • Train your body to be more efficient in burning fat and calories
  • Increase your metabolism to burn more calories even at rest
  • Lose weight
  • Lower your risk for serious health problems
  • Enjoy a more active and rewarding lifestyle

  • Neurological Testing

    Neurological testing is a process of looking for obvious deficiencies in the nervous system. Muscle strength, sensations and reflexes are a few of the areas checked for altercation. A healthy nervous system is vital to your well-being. Our doctors look for any abnormal findings that will help them determine your problems and the best way to treat them.


    Orthopedic Testing

    Orthopedic testing is a series of tests designed to assess the health and stability of joint in your body. Through certain motions and stresses placed on the joints, we can determine if there is instability or restrictive motion.


    Osteoporosis Screening

    Draeger Chiropractic of Weston uses a Osteometer Dexacare forearm scan. Dexacare densitometers are advanced new imaging systems that perform a fast, precise and accurate bone density analysis. The test is done right in our office and takes approximately 3 minutes. Dexacare performs a painless, very low dose x-ray scan of your forearm. The scan examines the internal structure of the bone.

    Your body loses bone and replaces it with new bone throughout your entire life. As you age, your body tends to lose bone faster than it replaces it. If too much bone is lost, osteoporosis can develop. It is a disease that weakens the bones, makes them fragile and more likely to break. It occurs four times more often in women than in men, particularly after menopause. Women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the 5-7 years following menopause. The symptoms are painless and usually discovered only after an individual suffers a fracture, typically in the wrist, hip or spine.

    RISK FACTORS

  • Being Female
  • Thin and/or small frame
  • An inactive lifestyle

  • Pediatric Services

    Research has shown that chiropractic care can help treat several pediatric conditions such as earaches and colic. Scoliosis screenings are recommended for children 6-8 years of age and can be performed here along with chiropractic treatment if necessary. Our adjusting techniques are modified and a low force adjustment is given depending on the age and size of the child. We can treat children of all ages (birth to adulthood).


    Russian Stimulation

    Russian Stimulation is a special form of electrical current that is administered to the surrounding muscles of a soft tissue injury, or a muscle that is weakened.

    Small amounts of electrical current are induced into the healthy muscle for the purpose of inducing an involuntary muscle contraction. This widely used technique safely strengthens muscles and helps reduce painful symptoms.

    BENEFITS

  • Increase muscle strength and endurance
  • Reduces muscle spasm
  • Decreases swelling and pain

  • Spinal Adjustments

    Spinal adjustments are performed by a doctor of chiropractic. These adjustments can be of one or all five spinal regions. They are: cervical region, thoracic region, lumbar region, sacral region and the pelvic (sacroiliac Joint) region. The doctor will feel your spine with his or her hands to identify which joints are not moving freely. An adjustment can be done by hand (manually), with the aid of a special table (drop table) or with a small instrument (activator). Doctors of Chiropractic all have individual adjusting styles but all are trained and licensed. Our doctors have performed literally thousands of adjustments.

    A small audible "pop" can sometimes be heard during an adjustment. This "pop" is gas releasing from your joint, no different than you popping your knuckles.

    BENEFITS

  • Increases proper motion, which allows for better function of the joints by supplying nutrition to the joint.
  • Decrease muscle irritation
  • Decrease swelling and inflammation by increasing the motion of the joint and soft tissue by pumping away the excess fluid
  • Increase in motion will decrease the effects of prolonged immobility

  • Ultrasound

    Ultrasound is a therapy that utilizes mechanical vibration in the form of sound energy. This treatment is commonly used in the application of injured soft tissue. Ultrasound will help speed the rate of healing and also enhance the quality of the repair of the soft tissue by both thermal and non-thermal effect. A thermal effect includes increasing temperature of the damaged tissue increasing blood flow to the injured soft tissue thus improving healing. A second therapeutic effect is nonthermal. This aids in increasing cellular activity enhancing tissue fluid interchange and thus affecting tissue mobility. This therapy has been found very useful in the treatment of sprains/strains including chronic aggravating conditions.


    Workplace Evaluations

    Draeger Chiropractic of Weston offers work place evaluations for local employers.

    One of our doctors will come to your business. A general visual assessment of workstations in every department will be done and a comprehensive evaluation will be completed for problematic work areas that have reported high rates of injury. A wellness program customized for each individual department will be presented to each employee.

    This program will include a basic overview of human structure and function, correct body mechanics at work, correct body mechanics during the activities of daily living, an explanation and demonstration of micro-stretches specific for their department. In addition, office workers are given a "sitting safe program". This program includes a workspace evaluation and modification, posture analysis, instruction and demonstration of correct sitting posture and individualized micro-stretches.