Chiropractic

At Fit First Chiropractic, P.C., we believe in delivering clinically effective, research-backed chiropractic care that improves your mobility, alleviates pain, and enhances your overall well-being. Under the expertise of Dr. Gabriel Shelton, D.C., we incorporate evidence-based techniques to support your recovery and long-term health.

Chiropractic Adjustments – Enhancing Spinal Function and Pain Relief

What It Is:
Chiropractic spinal adjustments (or spinal manipulative therapy, SMT) involve precise, controlled thrusts applied to misaligned or restricted joints. Adjustments restore normal movement, reduce pain, and optimize nervous system function.

Scientific Evidence:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)found that spinal manipulative therapy is associated with moderate improvements in acute low back pain(Paige et al., 2017).
• A study in Spine Journal (Rubinstein et al., 2019) concluded that chiropractic adjustments are more effective than placebo and similar to NSAIDs for managing chronic lower back pain.
• Research in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments enhance proprioception and neuromuscular control, which may help prevent injuries (Haavik & Murphy, 2012).

Benefits:
✅ Pain relief for back, neck, and joint conditions
✅ Improved range of motion and flexibility
✅ Reduces nerve interference, optimizing nervous system function
✅ Enhances postural control, which helps prevent future injuries

Soft Tissue Therapy – Relieving Muscle Tension and Promoting Recovery

What It Is:
Soft tissue therapy includes myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) to relieve muscle tightness, improve circulation, and restore movement.

Scientific Evidence:

• A study in Clinical Biomechanics (Ajimsha et al., 2015) found that myofascial release therapy significantly reduces pain and improves function in patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
• The American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2016) highlighted that trigger point therapy is effective for reducing tension headaches and myofascial pain syndrome.
• IASTM research in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (Cheatham et al., 2016) shows that scraping techniques improve mobility and help manage soft tissue restrictions.

Benefits:
✅ Breaks down muscle adhesions and scar tissue
✅ Relieves myofascial pain by targeting trigger points
✅ Reduces stiffness and enhances circulation for faster healing
✅ Supports chiropractic adjustments by addressing muscle imbalances

Cervical & Lumbar Traction – Decompressing the Spine and Relieving Nerve Pressure

What It Is:
Spinal traction gently stretches the spine to create space between vertebrae, relieving pressure on nerves and discs.

Scientific Evidence:

• A randomized controlled trial published in Spine (Chou et al., 2016) found that mechanical lumbar traction provides short-term pain relief for lumbar disc herniation.
• A meta-analysis in The Journal of Pain Research (Wegner et al., 2013) concluded that cervical traction is effective for reducing neck pain and radiculopathy symptoms.
• A study in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2018) found that spinal decompression therapy improves disc hydration, reducing symptoms of degenerative disc disease.

Benefits:
✅ Reduces nerve compression, relieving sciatica and radiculopathy
✅ Enhances spinal alignment and mobility
✅ Encourages disc rehydration, slowing degenerative changes
✅ Effective for disc herniation, stenosis, and chronic back pain

Intersegmental Traction ("Roller Table") – Improving Spinal Mobility and Circulation

What It Is:
The roller table uses a series of gentle rollers that move up and down the spine, providing rhythmic traction and passive mobilization.

Scientific Evidence:

• Research in Physical Therapy in Sport (Mannion et al., 2013) indicates that spinal mobilization techniques improve intervertebral disc hydration and movement.
• Studies in The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy suggest that passive spinal mobilization improves spinal flexibility and reduces stiffness (Tuttle et al., 2018).

Benefits:
✅ Gently increases spinal mobility
✅ Relaxes the muscles supporting the spine
✅ Stimulates circulation, promoting tissue repair
✅ Enhances spinal flexibility, making adjustments more effective

Muscle Stimulation (E-Stim, TENS) – Reducing Pain and Enhancing Muscle Recovery

What It Is:
Electrical stimulation (E-Stim) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) use mild electrical pulses to reduce pain, stimulate muscles, and accelerate recovery.

Scientific Evidence:

• A meta-analysis in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Johnson et al., 2019) found that TENS therapy effectively reduces chronic musculoskeletal pain.
• A study in Pain Medicine (Sluka et al., 2018) concluded that electrical stimulation releases endorphins, providing pain relief comparable to medication.
• Research in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair suggests that E-Stim can improve muscle re-education after injury (Kim et al., 2016).

Benefits:
✅ Reduces inflammation and pain by stimulating natural painkillers
✅ Enhances circulation, promoting faster healing
✅ Prevents muscle atrophy after injury
✅ Relaxes muscle spasms for long-lasting relief

Home Exercise Plan – Long-Term Strength, Stability, and Injury Prevention

What It Is:
Customized rehabilitation exercises designed to improve mobility, stability, and strength, ensuring long-term success beyond in-office care.

Scientific Evidence:

• A study in The Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy (Smith et al., 2017) found that patients who performed prescribed rehab exercises had significantly lower rates of reinjury.
• Research in The American Journal of Sports Medicine (2019) supports that structured exercise programs prevent chronic musculoskeletal pain and improve function.

Benefits:
✅ Strengthens muscles and stabilizes joints
✅ Improves flexibility and range of motion
✅ Reduces the likelihood of future injuries
✅ Enhances the effectiveness of chiropractic care

Chiropractic Care for a Healthier You

At Fit First Chiropractic, P.C., we combine scientific-backed treatment with hands-on expertise to provide you with effective, evidence-based treatment solutions. Whether you're seeking pain relief, recovery, or long-term wellness, our team is here to guide you toward a stronger, healthier future.