www.njchiropractors.com I 19 to allow my patient’s body to adjust and adapt to the process without injury (that part doesn’t always work out!). Treatment: When it comes to getting patients out of pain I look for quick fixes, but I know weight loss or improved posture has no “quick fix” solution. These are truly lifestyle changes and adaptive choices that come along with education. My current treatment includes manipulation, shockwave, laser, Rapid Release, Deep Muscle Stimulator, IASTM, lymph therapy, taping and more. If one therapy plateaus I have another to try. Doing manual therapy and adjustments is still a favorite. I recognize the range of motion gains from manipulation and appreciate the amount of re-awakened muscle manipulation provides! Again my pulse rate goes up with a good “crack”. Modalities: How did I become such a modality guy? I think the answer is that I embrace technology and as my practice became more filled with chronic pain patients I was willing to try and buy new technology. It just seemed to happen – chronic neck and back pain was improving with my exercise recommendations. But new plateaus occurred. I started mixing some of the modalities. For example, I found class 4 laser to be effective, safe, and cost-effective compared to injection treatments. I saw intensity of pain, disability, health-related quality of life, medication use, and cost go down when I added the TheraLase Class 3B lasers and the Deep Muscle Stimulator together. I did my own experiments – I assigned chronic neck pain patients to laser; chronic low back patients to laser and Deep Muscle Stimulator; chronic hip patients to shockwave; elbow to shockwave and laser. Everyone gets manipulation and exercise as indicated. I figured out that three sessions was a start to see if anything would improve. If yes, then six sessions over two to three weeks was a good trial. My components of chiropractic involve releasing fascial tissue, tight connective tissue and joint dysfunction. I touch points throughout the body with the use of my hands. I push and grasp manually. I found that fascia likes heat, so laser before soft tissue manipulation is easier. Since my therapeutic approach involves manual manipulation of the soft tissue and joints, it was logical to apply a layered approach. IASTM and Rapid Release for the superficial layer; Deep Muscle Stimulation for a little more depth; then for the deepest layers there is shockwave therapy – it’s like using kneading and drumming or as patients say “jack hammer” techniques rolled into one device. Fibrotic tissue is softening further – again a new device to help decrease pain intensity and improve function and physical quality of life. Shockwave is a rather unknown type of soft tissue therapy that is becoming more and more popular for both prac- titioners and patients. It is a powerful modality that addresses specific patterns of tendinopathy in the body. I have decided to call what I do the POLITE method™ – my system of care. There is no complete system, but each letter helps remind me of what I can do and offer to help. Posture, Pain, Plan, Outcome assessments, Optimal Loading, Instruments, Technology, Taping, Exercise, Energy, Ergonomics. If it is flexibility I am after, I have an effective approach to restoring it with a choreographed move I call Tucker flow. It’s my variation of ‘groiners’ – it relieves a variety of hip flexor and thoracic spine disorders. Shockwave and laser relieve multiple disorders including headaches, myofascial pain syndrome, tendinop- athy, plantar fasciitis, adhesions, hip pathology and other chronic problems. Many people seek the treatment for stiff neck, rounded shoulders, sciatica, and sore backs. In many of my blog posts on DrJeffreyTucker.com, I have explained the benefits of shockwave and laser therapy to possibly enhance stem cell production. I’ve gone head to head with stem cell injections vs. low cost and non-invasive modalities. The research can be used to address the most common injuries we treat. If your form of bodywork is based on chiropractic principles using flexibility training, stability exercises, stretches, (self) myofascial release, pressure point therapy, posture education, joint movements, diet and nutrition, etc. to balance the body, I’m curious as to what you call this combination of practice? I highly recommend whether you’re an experienced rehab chiropractor, or totally new to the rehab chiropractic path, allow yourself to be guided by mentors. Jeffrey Tucker, DC, is the current ACA Rehab Council President. His website is www.DrJeffreyTucker.com. He taught at the 2018 ANJC Spring Summit.