Therapies We Offer

Chiropractic Care & Sports Chiropractors in Alpharetta and Atlanta, GA

Pain Therapies

DRY NEEDLING

Dry needling is a comprehensive needling technique that eases muscle pain and stiffness. As the name suggests, the needling process is safely performed without fluid injections. Whether it’s muscle tightness from working long hours at the office or knotted areas from intensive athletic activity, this process is designed to safely reduce pain and discomfort.

One of the benefits of a dry needling session is the identification and treatment of specific trigger points on your body. Trigger points are precise locations of muscle tissue that are disruptive and often interconnected with other inflamed parts of the body.

When a trigger point is identified, a series of safe, ultra-thin needles will be inserted to relieve tension and inflammation. Patients may experience immediate relief after their strained muscles are targeted. Blood flow, range of motion and muscle tension are all commonly improved after a dry needling session.

Dry needling is quite safe for relieving pain and improving function in problematic sites on the body. The trained and certified physical therapists who perform this technique at Synergy complete the needling process with the utmost focus on patient safety and comfort.

Here are some of the common reasons for a Dry Needling Treatment:

- Muscle tension - Limited range of motion

- Stiffness - Acute muscle pain

- Shoulder, neck, heel, hip, or back pain - Knotted muscle

- Limited flexibility due to muscle restriction

To learn more about dry needling and whether it can help you with pain management or athletic performance, schedule an appointment with Synergy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Dry Needling work?

A: Dry needling identifies trigger points which are locations where muscle tissue is disruptive and interconnected with other inflamed parts of the body. Once a trigger point is identified, a series of safe ultra-thin needles are inserted to relieve pain and inflammation. Patients will often have immediate relief as blood flow, range of motion and muscle tension are improved.

Q: What are some of the reasons to need a dry needling treatment?

A: Some of the common reasons for this treatment are: muscle tension; limited range of motion; acute muscle pain; should, neck, heel , hip, or back pain; and stiffness.

Q: Is Dry Needling Safe?

A: Yes, quite safe. Our technicians who perform this therapy are certified and trained. They take the utmost care and caution with every patient here at Synergy.

Q: How can I get more information?

A: Schedule an appointment with Synergy, 404- 352-8900. Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Call Synergy today to make an appointment or visit us online for more information.

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a natural medical treatment which enhances the body’s healing process by breathing oxygen in a moderately pressurized chamber. When oxygen is administered under pressure, it dissolves easier into our plasma, making oxygen more readily available for use by the body. Although the history of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy dates back to 1662, it is only recently that this therapy is finally emerging as a major medical treatment.

How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy help with injury?
When our bodies experience an injury, its initial response is to become inflamed at the injury site. This inflammation is our body’s way of preventing infection and allowing the body to heal the injury. During this time, oxygen flow to the injury site may decrease, which slow the healing process. When we utilize Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, oxygen is able to reach the wound site faster because our plasma is able to carry the oxygen throughout our bodies, allowing healing to take place at greater rates.

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a noninvasive therapy that is used to treat a variety of issues. Synergy utilized Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy that reaches 4.2 PSI. You may experience popping in your ears as a result of the pressure change. This is normal and identical to the experience of flying in an airplane. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy sessions are comfortable, and the pressurization of the chamber is gradual and relaxed, allowing plenty of time to equalize your ears. The chamber is warm and equipped with pillows. Most people nap, read, or listen to music during sessions.

Who Benefits from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Everyone can benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy! From muscle to bone injury, and from infections to relatively healthy tissue, healing takes place three times faster with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. While it is not a miracle cure, there is a growing body of documented studies showing the benefit of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and how it helps people achieve better health.

Conditions which may benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy include:
- Joint Pain

- Loss of LimbLupus

- Lyme Disease

- Multiple Sclerosis

- Sports Injury - Stroke

- Surgery: Pre/Post - Wound Healing

- Diabetic complications - Circulation Problems

- Headaches - Acid Stomach

- Candida/Yeast Infections - Body Detoxification

- Skin Disorders - Sleeping Disorders

- Cosmetic Surgery - Immune deficiency

- Arthritis

- ADD/ADHD

- Autism

- Asthma

- Allergies - Acute Mountain Sickness

- Acne - Brain Injury

- Bell’s Palsy

- Chronic Fatigue

- Cerebral Palsy - Crohn’s Disease

- Fibromyalgia - Frequent Air Travel

- Hypoxia - Alzheimer’s

- Parkinson’s Disease - Anti-Aging

- Multiple Chemical Sensitivities* Result may vary from patient to patient.

SYNERGY CONCUSSION PROTOCOL

Our Synergy Concussion Protocol has proven to be very effective in both relieving the immediate pain and suffereing from the head trauma along with reducing the potential for future health problems that many concussions tend to do. Due to our brain's major role on every function of the body from digestion to cognitive health, we do not take any head trauma lightly and believe that anyone with a concussion should seek medical help whether it happened 1 day ago or 10 years ago. There is so much more that can be done besides rest and we have seen too many times issues that arise later down the road from not properly treating healing the brain after a concussion. Our protocol consists of the Testing, our propietery Synergy Concussion Technique, hyperbaric therapy, frequency specific microcurrent brain treatments, and brain dietary supplementation.

ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUES (ART)

Active Release Techniques is well known soft tissue treatment that addresses issues with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. The technique helps elongate those tight muscles that are shortened in order to provide improved mobility as well as releasing adhesions that are caused by repetitive stress.

TRIGGER POINT THERAPY

Trigger points feel like little marbles or knots just under your skin. When pressing on sensitive trigger points, you may feel significant pain, tenderness, burning or aching either locally at that site or referring to other areas. Trigger points form in muscle tissues due to an excessive release of a chemical called acetylcholine, which produces a sustained depolarization of muscle fibers, leading to a sustained contraction of the muscle fibers. The objective of trigger point therapy is releasing or softening a muscle knot to reduce or eliminate the knot pain and associated symptoms. This release happens by applying sustained deep pressure and sometimes combined with direct or indirect oscillations/ movements. This works to release a trigger point by pushing fresh blood in and flushing waste material out, bringing more oxygen into the area and encouraging the muscles to “release and reset,” therefore significantly reducing pain and diffuse symptoms.

ADVANCED MUSCLE INTEGRATION TECHNIQUE (AMIT)

Advanced Muscle Integration Technique (AMIT) is a revolutionary systematic treatment designed to help relieve and treat common joint and muscle conditions. This innovative analysis technique involves assessing individual muscles in the body to identify problematic or injury-causing dysfunctions. Once the analysis is complete, we are then able to develop a custom-tailored treatment plan to relieve the patients’ existing pain while reducing their risk of future injury. AMIT can be a life-changing treatment for active individuals who wish to maximize their peak athletic performance, prevent potential injuries, or quickly rehabilitate a current injury. Dr. Michael Hatrak has been performing the AMIT for over two years. When a muscle is overloaded beyond its capacity, two things can happen. Either the muscle fibers will tear, resulting in a sprain or strain, or the body will deactivate (or shut down) the muscle. When a muscle is deactivated, the body will create pain in the area during physical activity to avoid further muscle damage. It’s common for other muscles in the area to take on an additional work load when one muscle is deactivated. However, once these muscles also become overloaded, additional stress can take a toll on the ligaments, joints, and connective tissues. This may lead to more serious injury. AMIT helps treat this condition by identifying muscles that have been previously deactivated and eventually helping them regain their healthy functionality. By utilizing AMIT, Dr. Hatrak is able to test over 600 muscles in areas all over the body to check their functionality and performance. The tests typically use resistance training to gauge the strength of specific muscles in a given area. Once a deactivated muscle is identified, we carefully work to reactivate the muscle by utilizing 7 reflux points to restore normal, pain-free motion. Once reactivated, the muscles will be prepared to properly respond to strengthening exercises. Because some muscles are deactivated at the neurological level, they can remain dormant forever if not properly treated. AMIT provides a long-term solution that is far more effective than a temporary fix that fails to treat the root cause of your issue. After AMIT, patients will notice that they no longer need to worry about the added stress of healthy muscles compensating for dormant ones. For more information on the Advanced Muscle Integration Technique or to schedule an appointment for Advanced Muscle Integration Technique, please contact Synergy today!

GRASTON TECHNIQUE

The Graston Technique® is used at Synergy in order to effectively address problems related to scar-tissue, pain, range of motion, muscle definition and symmetry. The certified providers at Synergy™ uses specialized instruments in order to make the necessary changes to the affected tissues. Here are some of the conditions that the Graston Technique can treat: - Plantar fasciitis

- Carpal tunnel syndrome - Tennis or golfer’s elbow

- Rotator cuff tendinitis - Achilles tendinitis

- Muscle pain - Arthritis

- Sports injury scar tissue - Post-surgical scar tissue

- …and more

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can the Graston Technique help treat my injury?

A: The Graston Technique uses customized tools and techniques to break up scar tissue and smooth out the soft tissue underneath. This technique helps shorten recovery time.

Q: What is the result of undergoing the Graston Technique?

A: Among other benefits, our patients report improved range of motion, accelerated recovery time and decreased pain and inflammation. To learn more about Graston Technique® therapy and how it can help you with pain management and/or athletic performance, schedule an appointment with Synergy today.

NEUROMUSCULAR MASSAGE

The healing effects of massage greatly enhance your overall wellbeing and speed recovery from injury. Typical massage therapy will treat your symptom as the cause. Symptoms are the location of your complaint or pain, often strained or sprained tissue. This treatment protocol results in slow recovery time and does not help avoid a recurring injury. Synergy Release Massage Therapy treats the structural imbalance that is the root cause of the pain. The damaged tissue has been set up for failure weeks, months, or years in advance with stress caused by improper postural distortions. First, we take the pre-stress off the damaged tissue using the SRT treatment. Then, we apply typical massage therapy and treat the symptom. This protocol provides an environment for fast recovery and helps prevent further injury. How does Synergy Release Massage Therapy work? The massage therapy portion of SRT is a sequence of muscular releases engineered to bring balance by changing structure. This sequence works to systematically unwind dysfunctional postural distortions. Many people experience pain or decreased ability to compete in a sport at the level to which they are accustomed because of these very predictable problems. These problems can be easily connected with Synergy Release principles. An SRT Evaluation of the structure gives the massage therapist all the information he or she requires to build a specific treatment protocol, customized to each client. Structural balance is the first step to regaining health. Once the balance has been established, then it’s time to treat the symptoms. The specific complaint (hamstring, neck, back pain, etc.) is treated last. To detail the difference in treatment philosophy between a typical massage therapy session and SRMT, we can look at treating a typical hamstring strain. If you booked a session with a typical massage therapist to treat a two-week-old hamstring strain, the therapist would most likely use various massage techniques on your hamstring (the symptom) in order to make you feel better. An SRMT would first do an SRT Evaluation that would give him or her all of the information needed to correct your foundational structure first (root cause). This will balance structure and unload the hamstring, allowing it to heal faster with less chance of being re-injured. The therapist would only treat the hamstring directly (symptom) with balanced structure. Again, without treating the root cause of your hamstring strain first, the rehabilitation time will be slower, and you will be more likely to experience recurring hamstring strains. This process has yielded extraordinary results with professional athletes across the U.S. We see a wide range of patients, from professional level athletes to seniors and children. We’ll take care of your sports injury with specialized treatments utilized only at Synergy of Atlanta, so give us a call today to book your appointment.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE NEUROMUSCULAR MASSAGE

The healing effects of massage greatly enhance your overall wellbeing and speed recovery from injury. Typical massage therapy will treat your symptom as the cause. Symptoms are the location of your complaint or pain, often strained or sprained tissue. This treatment protocol results in slow recovery time and does not help avoid a recurring injury. Synergy Release Massage Therapy treats the structural imbalance that is the root cause of the pain. The damaged tissue has been set up for failure weeks, months, or years in advance with stress caused by improper postural distortions. First, we take the pre-stress off the damaged tissue using the SRT treatment. Then, we apply typical massage therapy and treat the symptom. This protocol provides an environment for fast recovery and helps prevent further injury. How does Synergy Release Massage Therapy work? The massage therapy portion of SRT is a sequence of muscular releases engineered to bring balance by changing structure. This sequence works to systematically unwind dysfunctional postural distortions. Many people experience pain or decreased ability to compete in a sport at the level to which they are accustomed because of these very predictable problems. These problems can be easily connected with Synergy Release principles. An SRT Evaluation of the structure gives the massage therapist all the information he or she requires to build a specific treatment protocol, customized to each client. Structural balance is the first step to regaining health. Once the balance has been established, then it’s time to treat the symptoms. The specific complaint (hamstring, neck, back pain, etc.) is treated last. To detail the difference in treatment philosophy between a typical massage therapy session and SRMT, we can look at treating a typical hamstring strain. If you booked a session with a typical massage therapist to treat a two-week-old hamstring strain, the therapist would most likely use various massage techniques on your hamstring (the symptom) in order to make you feel better. An SRMT would first do an SRT Evaluation that would give him or her all of the information needed to correct your foundational structure first (root cause). This will balance structure and unload the hamstring, allowing it to heal faster with less chance of being re-injured. The therapist would only treat the hamstring directly (symptom) with balanced structure. Again, without treating the root cause of your hamstring strain first, the rehabilitation time will be slower, and you will be more likely to experience recurring hamstring strains. This process has yielded extraordinary results with professional athletes across the U.S. We see a wide range of patients, from professional level athletes to seniors and children. We’ll take care of your sports injury with specialized treatments utilized only at Synergy of Atlanta, so give us a call today to book your appointment.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE CHIROPRACTIC & SYNERGY RELEASE THERAPY

Synergy Release Therapy is a personalized therapy that keeps you at the top of your game. Our unique patented system is a multi-step process that includes evaluation and treatment protocol that advances your healing and maximizes performance. This system not only locates the root cause of your pain but also therapeutically corrects and reverses your problem. Your symptoms not only go away but stay away because unlike other approaches, we work to resolve the root cause of your discomfort, not just treat your symptom(s). We don’t prescribe drugs to mask the real causes of the discomfort; we go directly to the source and work backwards. Our goal is to change your life and make you feel better than you have ever felt before.

FREQUENCY SPECIFIC MICROCURRENT

Microcurrent is thought to work on a more cellular level to aid in the healing process due to its close proximity to our own body’s current. It delivers electrical current in millionths of an ampere. For this reason, microcurrent is subsensory and cannot be felt while it is being delivered due to the fact that there is not enough current to stimulate the sensory nerves for pain relief patients. Microcurrent has the ability to relieve pain, increase the rate of wound healing, stimulate the regeneration of injured tissue, stimulate lymphatic flow, and relieve myofascial trigger points and increase protein synthesis and ATP production by 500%. ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is the primary molecule from which our body produces energy, and it is found in every cell of the body. It is the “energy currency” of the cell that stores energy to be transferred and released based on the body’s needs. Specific frequencies seem to induce effects on specific cells and other tissues. In “Frequency Specific Microcurrent” these frequencies are used for varying tissues. For example, there is a specific frequency for muscles, a different frequency for nerves, another for ligaments etc. In addition to each tissue having a unique frequency, the same is true for different conditions such as inflammation, trauma, scar tissue etc. Once the Doctor determines what is underlying the patient’s condition, the therapist will then use the specific frequencies to address the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Microcurrent therapy work?

A: Microcurrent therapy supports the natural electric current in the body’s tissues thereby promoting the healing of inflamed tissues. This allows the inflamed tissues to regain their ability to absorb nutrients.

KINESIOLOGY TAPING

At Synergy, we focus on treating our patients comprehensively and getting to the root of their pain. One beneficial tool we use in combination with others is RockTape®. RockTape® is a specialized proprioceptive tool that is applied to slightly lift the skin. This process creates more space between cells throughout the treatment area. As a result, it reduces inflammation, eases pain, aids lymphatic drainage, and improves circulation. Depending on the patient, this helps with injury rehabilitation, athletic performance, injury prevention, and more. In most cases, it’s used alongside other therapies like our specialized Synergy Release Therapy for a more effective overall result. To be effective, kinesiology tape needs to be applied in a very specific way. Our experienced providers at Synergy always begin with a thorough diagnostic exam. If we determine that RockTape® will help you, we will also evaluate the best way to apply the RockTape® and use it in combination with other treatments. The process can use individual strips, “X” shapes, or “Y” shapes, applying them in precise areas and angles. Depending on your specific needs, RockTape® can remain comfortably applied for three to five days at a time. The cotton fabric is breathable and water resistant, so you can even shower and swim without disrupting your treatment. To learn more about kinesiology taping and whether it can help you with pain management or athletic performance, schedule an appointment with Synergy Sports Wellness Institute™ today.

RAPID RELEASE THERAPY

Our providers at Synergy specialize in treating people with injuries and pain to get them back on their feet. We focus on identifying and treating the root cause of our patients’ pain through a diagnostic exam for pain, so that every patient gets a customized treatment plan. One procedure that has proven successful for countless patients is a type of myofascial release (a therapy for the revitalizing the connective tissue around the muscles) called Rapid Release Therapy. Rapid Release Therapy, or RRT, is used to break up scar tissue. Internal scar tissue can form any time you sustain an injury, undergo surgery, or put repeated stress on an area of your body. However, scar tissue has no blood vessels to nourish it, so it eventually becomes rigid and brittle. This rigid scar tissue can bind muscles and other tissue together (these issues are called “adhesions”), causing pain, limited range of motion, and less flexibility. When our chiropractors and other medical professionals at Synergy perform RRT, they use a device on the surface of the skin that sends precise compression waves into the area, causing vibration in your soft tissue. While healthy tissue is flexible enough to withstand the vibration, brittle scar tissue isn’t. The vibration breaks up the scar tissue so it can be naturally flushed out of your body, removing the adhesions and restoring your comfort and range of motion. The beauty of RRT, sometimes called Scar Tissue Therapy, as a type of myofascial release is that it’s painless, requires no downtime, and is a treatment you don’t need to repeat in order to maintain your results. The number and duration of sessions will vary from patient to patient, but once the scar tissue is gone, your treatment is complete. Keep in mind, however, that repeatedly placing stress on the area or developing new injuries can cause new scar tissue to form, which could require another cycle of RRT. To find out if Rapid Release Therapy can help with your chronic pain or other issues, schedule an appointment at Synergy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Microcurrent therapy hurt?

A: No, not at all. Microcurrent therapy uses electric current that is in millionths of amperes. This is too small to stimulate the nerves therefore there is no sensation to the patient.

Q: What are the benefits of Microcurrent Therapy?

A: Microcurrent Therapy reduces pain, promotes faster wound healing, stimulates the regeneration of injured tissue and promotes production of ATP by 500 percent. ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is the primary molecule from which our body produces energy, and it is found in every cell of the body. It is the “energy currency” of the cell that stores energy to be transferred and released based on the body’s needs.

PIEZO WAVE THERAPY - SHOCK THERAPY

PiezoWave Therapy is focused soundwave therapy that is non invasive. The 4 main benefits from PiezoWave is stem cell production, pain relief, inflammation reduction, and increased blood flow. Ultimately this therapy will quickly increase the healing process and remove pain.

FUNCTIONAL MANUAL THERAPY

What is Functional Manual Therapy? Functional Manual Therapy® (FMT), developed by Gregory S. Johnson, PT, and Vicky Saliba Johnson, PT, is an integrated evaluation and treatment system that promotes optimum human performance by enhancing total body mobility and CoreFirst® postural and movement strategies. Functional Mobilization®, is an effective evaluation and treatment system for joints, soft tissues, visceral and neurovascular structures and activates neuromuscular facilitation (ability to initiate the right muscles at the right time with proper strength and endurance) and motor control (the ability to effectively produce coordinated postural and movement strategies). CoreFirst® is a system that promotes Automatic Core Engagement (ACE) through efficient postures and specific proprioceptive and kinesthetic training. The ultimate goal of Functional Manual Therapy® is to provide the patient with the mechanical ability and the neuromuscular tools of strength and endurance and proprioceptive awareness to become self-sufficient and more proficient in all areas of human performance.

Performance Therapies

GRASTON TECHNIQUE

The Graston Technique® is used at Synergy in order to effectively address problems related to scar-tissue, pain, range of motion, muscle definition and symmetry. The certified providers at Synergy™ uses specialized instruments in order to make the necessary changes to the affected tissues. Here are some of the conditions that the Graston Technique can treat: - Plantar fasciitis

- Carpal tunnel syndrome - Tennis or golfer’s elbow

- Rotator cuff tendinitis - Achilles tendinitis

- Muscle pain - Arthritis

- Sports injury scar tissue - Post-surgical scar tissue

- …and more

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can the Graston Technique help treat my injury?

A: The Graston Technique uses customized tools and techniques to break up scar tissue and smooth out the soft tissue underneath. This technique helps shorten recovery time.

Q: What is the result of undergoing the Graston Technique?

A: Among other benefits, our patients report improved range of motion, accelerated recovery time and decreased pain and inflammation.

To learn more about Graston Technique® therapy and how it can help you with pain management and/or athletic performance, schedule an appointment with Synergy today.

Alternate Therapies