Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems and how these disorders affect overall health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, and pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Misalignment of any one of the 24 moving vertebrae that protect the spinal cord can result in irritation to the nervous system and in turn causing pain. Whether the misalignment is due to a work or sports related injury or everyday stress – the spine can gently be restored to its proper alignment.

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.” The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury.

Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Applied Kinesiology can be defined as the clinical application of the study of movement and function.

Dr. Karpenko is a board certified Applied Kinesiologist who draws on complementary therapies to achieve total wellness of an individual, including: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, nutrition, exercise and stress management.

Applied kinesiology interactive assessment procedures represent a form of functional biomechanical and functional neurologic evaluation. The term “functional biomechanics” refers to the clinical assessment of posture, organized motion such as in gait, and ranges of motion. Muscle testing readily enters into the assessment of postural distortion, gait impairment and altered range of motion. During a functional neurologic evaluation, muscle tests are used to monitor the physiologic response to a physical, chemical or mental stimulus.

The observed response is correlated with clinical history and physical exam findings and, as indicated, with laboratory tests and any other appropriate standard diagnostic methods. Applied kinesiology procedures are not intended to be used as a single method of diagnosis. Applied kinesiology examination should enhance standard diagnosis, not replace it.

Acupuncture is a form of healing that has existed for over 5,000 years. It is based strongly in philosophies that bring our bodies and nature into harmony. The misalignment or imbalance of energy within the body is believed to be the basis of all disease processes. The utilization of sterilized micro-needles in specific locations of the body has guided the body’s energy, or chi, towards balance.

Infrared Heat TherapyDuring an acupuncture session with Dr. Karpenko, Infrared Heat Therapy is applied. The use of infrared light allows the body’s core to warm up, thus enabling an increase in healing. Heating the body powerfully shunts blood toward the skin to dissipate heat. This decongests the internal organs and greatly stimulates circulation. Sinuses, joints and many other tissues benefit greatly. This is tremendous benefit not offered by many therapies of any kind. It enables the body to relax, heal and regenerate itself much faster, causing recovery from many types of ailments.

Practice balance in all things by starting with your mind, body and spirit. Building a yoga practice will not only help you physically; but mentally, emotionally and spiritually as well. Improve your posture and breath through adding yoga to your wellness lifestyle. Increase your flexibility, strength, focus & energy levels while decreasing stress, depression & anxiety. Further your wellness journey and breathe the breath of serenity, contentment & bliss.

The Center for Natural Wellness is offering Private Yoga sessions. These sessions can benefit you further by helping you to develop your own yoga practice to fit your personal needs. Together with your instructor; without any level of intimidation, you can reach your specific goals and the next level of your practice. Through repetition of poses within multiple sessions, work towards achieving the more challenging poses. Although a workout in itself, private yoga is also a very effective cross-training tool, designed to be beneficial to your sport. So come, let us help you began your journey.

The Center for Natural Wellness is now offering the following massage modalities: Swedish Relaxation, Deep Tissue, Integrated, and Shiatsu. Aromatherapy may be added to any massage to further the effects of relaxation, rejuvenation and/or clarity.

Swedish Relaxation massage is a session strictly for relaxation purposes. The flowing strokes, gentle kneading, light friction and tapotement are all kept to the more superficial layers, creating a deeply calming experience.

Deep Tissue is a massage session very similar to the Swedish Relaxation, only the strokes are taken to the deeper layers of tissue, creating a therapeutic treatment with focus on areas that may have restricted muscles or muscle movement. Although all of our massage sessions are formulated to suit your specific needs, the Integrated session we offer will give you a treatment combining multiple modalities. These may include but are not limited to; swedish, neuromuscular trigger-point, myofascial release, combined deep therapies, sports massage & acupressure. Your therapist will formulate this massage to best suit your needs and preferences.

Our Shiatsu session follows the Japanese Shiatsu style of opening and balancing the energy channels in the body through rhythmic compressions and joint mobility. This is an 1 1/2 hour clothed session in which you would need to wear comfortable clothing to allow for stretching and range of motion manipulation. This deeply relaxing rhythmic session will open restrictions in the the energy flow, leaving you refreshed and rejuvenated.

Japanese Facial Rejuvenation The Facial Rejuvenation is a deeply relaxing facial treatment combining gentle acupressure and essential oils. Focused massage on face, scalp and ears improves circulation and helps prevent wrinkles. Feel the effects of soothing, clarifying aromatherapy while rejuvenating your skin. Feel the facial tension fall away, and leave feeling and looking refreshed and glowing.