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LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s: Specialized Physical Therapy to Improve Movement in Rockland County

Physical Therapy, Treatment /

“BIG” Moves for a BIG Impact: How LSVT BIG Helps Parkinson’s Disease Feeling smaller, slower, or stiffer than you used to? If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s Disease, you may have noticed that everyday movements feel harder—walking, reaching for an object, and getting out of a chair.  These changes aren’t just frustrating—they’re a part of how Parkinson’s affects your brain and body. That’s where LSVT BIG comes into play! What Is LSVT BIG? LSVT BIG is a specialized physical and occupational therapy program for people with Parkinson’s Disease. It’s designed to recalibrate your brain and body to increase: Power · Accuracy · Dependence · Cadence with walking  LSVT stands for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, and while it began as a speech therapy technique (“LSVT LOUD”), it was adapted for physical movement as LSVT BIG. Why Do Parkinson’s Patients Move Differently? Parkinson’s affects the way your brain sends signals to your muscles and can cause: Slower movement (bradykinesia) · Smaller steps with walking · Postural dysfunction · Difficulty with coordination and dual-task activities Over time, these symptoms can increase fall risk and limit independence.   LSVT BIG helps reset the brain’s internal “movement scale” so you can move like yourself again. What Does LSVT BIG Look Like in the Clinic? At The Spine and Health Center (SHC), our LSVT BIG-certified therapists guide patients through: High-amplitude, full-body movements—think big steps, big reaches, and big turns · Customized routines to improve walking, standing, dressing, and other daily activities · Intensive 1:1 sessions – 4 times a week for 4 weeks  We can adjust each program based on your goals—whether that’s walking with more confidence, tending to your garden, or keeping up with grandkids. Who Can Benefit from LSVT BIG? LSVT BIG is most effective for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease who: Are newly diagnosed or in the early to middle stages · Notice changes in walking and balance · Want to stay active, independent, and safe · Are motivated to practice consistently at home Even those with more significant symptoms can benefit when the program is adapted to their abilities. Why Start Now? The earlier you start, the more you preserve function. LSVT BIG can help to: Improve walking speed and stride length · Increase stability while decreasing fall risk · Restore confidence with everyday activities · Enhance quality of life Let’s Make BIG Changes Together Our team at SHC is trained in LSVT BIG and passionate about helping people with Parkinson’s regain control of their movement—and their lives. Want to learn more about LSVT BIG or schedule an evaluation? Contact us today and let’s build a BIG plan for your future.   References: https://www.lsvtglobal.com/LSVTBIG

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Spinal Decompression Therapy: A Non-Invasive Solution for Disc Pain

Treatment /

The solution to chronic lower back pain? Millions of people suffer from lower back pain on a daily basis. Many have tried various treatments and at times with no results. The root cause could be the disc of the spine and the treatment might be spinal decompression theory.  Your spinal discs don’t have a direct blood supply. They receive nutrients from motion/ activity to stay healthy and hydrated. Through dehydration and wear/ tear, discs can: Bulge / herniate Compress on spinal nerves Cause localized or radiating pain Limit spinal motion That’s where Spinal Decompression Therapy comes in. How Does Disc Pressure Cause Pain? Your spine is like a stack of blocks with soft cushions in between—those cushions are your discs. When the spine becomes compressed from poor posture, injured or  disc degenerated from lack of motion, the discs can bulge or flatten, leading to: Nerve compression Muscle guarding/ spasms Chronic inflammation Shooting pain into the arms or legs  Abnormal posture Sciatica  Spinal decompression gently stretches the spine, relieving pressure on the nerves and giving the discs room to heal. What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy? Spinal decompression is a non-surgical, mechanical treatment that carefully elongates the spine to: Reduce pressure on spinal discs and spinal nerves  Create negative pressure to “pull” bulging discs back in Promote the flow of healing nutrients and oxygen What Conditions Can It Help? Spinal decompression is especially effective for: Herniated or bulging discs Sciatica (pain down the leg) Degenerative disc disease Spinal stenosis Chronic lower back or neck pain At The Spine and Health Center (SHC), we evaluate each patient individually to ensure decompression is the right fit for your condition. Is It Safe and Comfortable? Yes! Most patients describe the treatment as relaxing. The sessions are: Painless Gentle Customizable to your body and pain level Our providers monitor you throughout to ensure your safety and comfort. You Don’t Have to Live with Disc Pain Patients can experience relief in immediately after spinal decompression. Patients with active sciatica can find instant relief at times while on spinal decompression.  Ready to feel relief and move freely again? Spinal decompression might be your next step toward lasting spine health.   References:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35296293/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35774300/

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Chiropractors Aren’t Just Back Doctors—We’re Root-Cause Doctors for the Whole Body

Treatment /

By Dr. Kelly Blundy, The Spine & Health Center of NJ Let’s get one thing straight: Chiropractors are not just the “crack your back and send you on your way” crew. At least, not here. At The Spine & Health Center, we’re trained, licensed, and obsessed with treating the whole person—not just pain, not just posture, not just your spine. We’re in the business of uncovering the why behind your symptoms—whether it’s chronic fatigue, hormone imbalances, autoimmune flare-ups, digestion issues, or that back pain you’ve been dragging around for a decade. We’re root-cause doctors. And it’s time people knew it. Chiropractors Are Trained—Extensively Contrary to what TikTok trolls and misinformed skeptics might believe, becoming a chiropractor isn’t a weekend certification. It’s 4 years of undergrad (usually in the sciences) followed by another 4–5 years of doctoral-level training. That includes over 4,000 hours of classroom, clinical, and hands-on instruction in anatomy, physiology, neurology, pathology, radiology, nutrition, diagnostics, biomechanics, rehab, and more. It’s not fluff—it’s serious, medically-intensive training that rivals many traditional routes. And we don’t just memorize the body—we learn how to evaluate and treat it in motion. That’s a big deal when you’re dealing with real humans who don’t live in textbooks. Pain Is a Symptom—Not a Diagnosis Let’s get brutally honest: If your plan for chronic pain is ibuprofen and hoping it goes away, that’s not a plan—it’s procrastination. Pain is your body’s check engine light. Covering it up with a pill is like throwing duct tape over your dashboard warning signals and hoping your car doesn’t explode on the highway. Spoiler: it might. Whether your pain is in your low back, your head, your gut, or your knees, it didn’t come out of nowhere. Your body is reacting to stressors—some obvious, some hidden. Those stressors can be structural (like poor posture or movement patterns), chemical (like blood sugar imbalance, food sensitivities, or toxins), or emotional (yep, stress can destroy your body from the inside out). We don’t just ask where it hurts—we ask why. Then we do something about it. The Microtraumas Are What Break You Forget major injuries—what breaks most people down are the tiny hits they take every single day: Sitting for 8 hours with your shoulders in your ears Living on caffeine and skipping real meals Sleeping like a pretzel on a pillow from 1997 Scrolling your phone until your eyeballs ache Pushing through workouts with zero recovery Numbing discomfort with meds instead of fixing the cause All of this adds up—and eventually, your body taps out. That’s where we come in. Meds & Injections Have a Place—But Not as a Lifestyle We’re not anti-medicine. We’re anti-over-medicine. A good neurosurgeon will be the first to tell you: Surgery is a last resort. The best ones? They recommend chiropractic, physical therapy, and acupuncture before cutting you open. Why? Because failed back surgery syndrome is a real thing. And pain meds and injections might give you temporary relief, but they don’t change the game. They’re like mopping the floor while the faucet’s still running. That’s not healthcare. That’s maintenance. We don’t do maintenance. We do transformation. Whole Body, Whole Life Here’s what most people get wrong: chiropractors don’t just work on spines. We treat people. That means when your hormones are out of whack, when your gut’s a mess, when your joints are screaming, and your energy’s in the tank—we don’t hand you a symptom label. We dig. We test. We listen. We rebuild the foundation. That includes nutrition, sleep, mindset, detox pathways, movement, inflammation, and yes—your spine and nervous system. Because if your brain can’t talk to your body, nothing works properly. We’re not waiting around for a diagnosis to slap on a code and get reimbursed. We’re working on why you got here in the first place—and how to keep you from ever going back. Bottom Line? Chiropractors like us don’t “crack backs.” We optimize humans. We don’t wait for things to break. We find the weak links, strengthen them, and rebuild resilience from the inside out. So if you’re tired of quick fixes, insurance-driven runarounds, and feeling like a number on a chart—it’s time for a new strategy. We’re here. We’ve got you. And we’ll treat your whole body like it actually matters.  

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Shockwave Therapy: A Modern Solution for Chronic Pain and Recovery

Treatment /

If you or someone you know has dealt with stubborn musculoskeletal pain, you’ve probably heard about shockwave therapy. Officially known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), this innovative treatment uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. Unlike medications or invasive procedures, ESWT offers a non-surgical option to kickstart the body’s own repair mechanisms. The effectiveness of shockwave therapy is backed by a growing body of published clinical research. For instance, multiple high-quality studies show that ESWT is especially effective for chronic conditions that haven’t responded to traditional treatment. One of the best-supported uses of shockwave therapy is in the treatment of plantar fasciitis—chronic heel pain—where patients often report significant relief and better function. Similarly, tendinopathies like Achilles tendinitis, calcific tendonitis of the shoulder, tennis elbow, and patellar tendinopathy respond favorably to this approach. Clinical trials and systematic reviews routinely find less pain and better mobility after a series of shockwave sessions. There’s also promising evidence for myofascial pain syndrome and some chronic low back pain cases. But who benefits most from ESWT? Typically, patients with lingering, non-healing soft tissue injuries are excellent candidates. If conservative treatments like rest, exercise, or manual therapy haven’t worked, shockwave therapy may help stimulate the healing process. Diagnoses that respond especially well include plantar fasciitis, calcific tendinopathy, tennis elbow, and chronic muscular pain. Perhaps most exciting is how shockwave therapy works as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. Pairing ESWT with physical therapy can produce even greater improvements, especially when combined with targeted stretching and strengthening exercises. Research shows that this tandem approach speeds up recovery and enhances outcomes, particularly for stubborn tendon injuries. Similarly, some studies suggest that combining shockwave therapy with acupuncture not only reduces pain but also improves function and reduces inflammation, notably in conditions like lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Chiropractic care, when coordinated with shockwave therapy, may further enhance range of motion and alleviate pain, particularly for chronic neck, back, or shoulder complaints. In summary, shockwave therapy is becoming an invaluable tool in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. It provides significant clinical benefits, especially when blended with physical therapy, chiropractic care, or acupuncture. By addressing pain from multiple angles, we can help patients heal faster and return to their favorite activities with less discomfort and a better quality of life. References: Dedes V, Tzirogiannis K, Polikandrioti M, et al. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Foot Ankle Surg. 2022;28(1):12-20. Mani-Babu S, Morrissey D, Waugh C, Screen H, Barton C. The effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in lower limb tendinopathy: A systematic review. Am J Sports Med. 2015;43(3):752-761. Sun J, Gao F, Wang Y, Lei D, Li Z. Therapeutic effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with acupuncture in lateral epicondylitis: A randomized controlled trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2018;97(3):174-180. Speed C. A systematic review of shockwave therapies in soft tissue conditions: Focusing on the evidence. Br J Sports Med. 2014;48(21):1538-1542. Gollwitzer H, Saxena A, DiDomenico L, et al. Clinically relevant effectiveness of focused shock wave therapy in chronic plantar fasciitis: A randomized, controlled multi-centre study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015;97(9):701-708. Moya D, Ramón S, Schaden W, et al. The role of extracorporeal shockwave treatment in musculoskeletal disorders. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2018;100(3):251-263. Zhang Q, Li Y, Li X, et al. The effectiveness of shockwave therapy as a treatment for musculoskeletal conditions: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):14247.

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