Neck Pain

Here at Summit Chiropractic, we believe in healing the body, not just one ailment. But many times patients see us for localized pain and discomfort, such as neck pain, and it is our first priority to treat that condition first. By treating this area, the rest of the body also starts healing thanks to better balance and harmony. Unfortunately, neck pain is a common complaint with our patients, as it can result from injuries or repetitive motions and strain.

 

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the following causes can lead to neck pain:

• Bad posture
• Bending over for long periods of time
• Whiplash and vehicle accidents
• Sleeping in the wrong position
• Turning or twisting
• Sprains
• Medical conditions
• Infection or cancer of the spine

Pain medications only relieve the pain and discomfort for a short period of time, and it typically returns in a few hours. With chiropractic care provided by Dr. Kent Carlomagno, patients are addressing the cause of their neck pain, not just covering up the discomfort. This provides them with a long-term solution toward balancing their spine’s vertebrae and improving the pain continuously. 

Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury that occurs in a person's neck following a sudden acceleration-deceleration force that causes unrestrained, rapid forward and backward movement of the head and neck. This injury is commonly ignored or mistreated because patients do not always seek treatment following the event. Our staff and of course, Dr. Kent Carlomagno, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash injuries.

 

This condition can be very painful if left untreated. Fortunately, this is not a life threatening injury but it can lead to future disability. While most people involved in a car accident recover quickly without and chronic pain, some will experience symptoms for years after the injury. The most common symptoms associated with whiplash include:

• Pain or stiffness in the neck
• Headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Dizziness
• General weakness in the arms and neck

Immediately following an accident, patients should seek a consultation with Dr. Carlomagno. His extensive training in the field has provided him the opportunity to immediately diagnose and treat whiplash. Whiplash is often late-appearing, meaning the pain will get worse and worse as time passes. Whiplash is considered a soft-tissue injury, meaning there is no structural damage, just damage to the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the injured area. Whiplash is easily treatable through chiropractic care. Dr. Carlomagno will treat whiplash through various spinal manipulations, muscle relaxation or stimulation, exercise routines and lifestyle changes.

Custom Foot Orthotics

Foot orthotics are devices that are used to correct any biomechanical abnormalities in the foot and ankle. Orthotics perform functions that make standing, walking, running and other sports-related activities more comfortable and efficient by correcting the angles at which the foot strikes the walking or running surface. Here at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center, we offer custom orthotics as a conservative approach to solving many foot conditions that lead to pain in the knees, ankles, hip, back and neck.

 

We use orthotics to treat imbalance in the feet caused by fallen arches. Through their 3D Laser Scanner, Dr. Carlomagno is able to determine if the arches are collapsing and if it is necessary to use orthotics to alleviate or prevent potentially painful conditions. Custom-fit orthotics are used to help realign the bones within the foot and ankle. Realigning these bones will take pressure of other parts of the body such as the back, neck, shoulders and hips. Orthotics also help with distributing weight properly and take further pressure off of toes, bunions and other parts of the foot.

 

Custom fit orthotics are much more effective than the over-the-counter options made available at various drug and grocery stores. Pre-packaged, non-prescription shoe inserts are not made for individuals; they are mass-created and do not offer the type of support most individuals need. Custom-fit orthotics are specially-made devices that are designed to support that specific patient’s needs. While over-the-counter shoe inserts may be a less-expensive option, custom-fit options are the best choice for those suffering from any number of pain or discomfort.

 

If you are experience back, neck, shoulders or hip pain, you might be in need of custom foot orthotics. Call us today to set up an appointment! 

Auto Accident Injuries

We know that auto accidents can be stressful situations, not only do you have to deal with the damage to your vehicle, but you’re also dealing with insurance issues and a bevy of other distractions relating to the accident. Often times, people will forget to seek medical attention, especially if they are showing little or no symptoms. A large number of accident-related injuries are late-occurring and cause serious damage if left untreated. Seeking chiropractic care after an accident is the best preventative measure you can take. Dr. Kent Carlomagno has established a fantastic reputation amongst the San Rafael, CA community as the answer to auto accident injuries.

 

Chiropractic care is being hailed as the best option for patients suffering from injuries stemming from car accidents. Chiropractors treat the body as an entire system rather than treating only the injured area or prescribing medication as short-term fixes. Dr. Carlomagno has trained extensively in the treatment of auto accidents through spinal manipulation, muscle relaxation or stimulation techniques, various exercise routines and possible lifestyle changes. This full-service approach offers one of the only long-term, non-invasive healing approaches in the medical field.

 

Whiplash is the most common injury sustained during a car accident. When a body part, such as the neck, is unexpectedly thrown from one position to another beyond its normal limits, serious damage can occur. While whiplash is treatable, it is best to seek medical attention immediately as symptoms might not occur for days, weeks or even months. Beating the symptoms gives you the best chance of maintaining a healthy back and neck. Besides whiplash, Dr. Carlomagno also treats patients who sustain strains and tears that result from an accident. The treatment of muscles, nerves and connective tissues is essential for those hoping to make a full recovery. Chiropractors are specifically trained in the treatment of soft-tissue injuries and have become a go-to solution for patients suffering from the results of a car accident.

 

To learn more about chiropractic care for injuries sustained in an auto accident, visit www.summitchiro.net. 

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy is a great tool for the treatment of pain and inflammation and is commonly used for those who have suffered an injury through athletic activity. Laser therapy does not involve taking medications in order to cure patients of chronic pain. Dr. Kent Carlomagno has adopted this new technology in order to better treat his patients at our San Rafael, CA practice, Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center.

 

This is a non-invasive procedure that uses red and near-infrared light to enhance the body’s natural healing process. The light source is placed in contact with your skin, allowing the light energy to penetrate tissues where it increases circulation and helps restore normal cell function. Before recommending patients utilize cold laser therapy, Dr. Carlomagno will confirm that the issue is pain from a conditions caused by aging, injury or genetics.

 

This FDA-approved treatment has no known negative side effects. Dr. Carlomagno will locate the exact position, cause, degree and frequency of your pain in order to select the appropriate treatment protocol. When it comes to treating inflammation, arthritis, tendonitis and sprains cold laser treatment is a great non-invasive option. The treatment causes the smaller arteries and lymph vessels of the body increase in size, known as vasodilation. Vasodilation allows the inflammation and swelling to be cleared away from injury sites quickly and effectively.

 

We recommend cold laser therapy to provide pain relief especially for patients who want to avoid invasive surgery or ineffective drugs. In most cases, patients will need more than one treatment for optimal pain relief. The total number of treatments needed depends on the condition being treated, the severity of the condition, and each patient’s individual response.

 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno, call 415-721-7520. Visitwww.summitchiro.net for more information regarding cold laser therapy and other services we offer.