Frequently Asked Questions
Stretch Therapy
Stretch Therapy or Assisted Stretching involves stretching – but like you have never done it before. Stretch therapy is a comprehensive therapy and wellness enhancement that includes stretching, fascial remodeling and strengthening, neural re-patterning and relaxation. You will spend much of the session lying down while your therapist guides you into positions and helps you hold them. The most immediate and recognizable benefits of stretch therapy are its ability to dramatically improve flexibility and mobility while reducing pain and musculoskeletal inflammation. Other benefits include: (1) optimizing performance in physical activities and enhancing overall fitness; (2) reducing risk of injury and some effects of aging; (3) improving posture, physical appearance and self-esteem; (4) relieving stress and body tension and (5) improving mood and both physical and mental relaxation.
With traditional stretching, you do the work yourself and you often get it wrong. Most people have never learned the proper way to stretch, nor do they know which muscles they should specifically target to best prepare for distinct types of physical activity. As a consequence, many people not only fail to stretch properly, but in many cases fail to stretch entirely.
With assisted stretching, we do the work for you. You work one-on-one with an experienced stretch therapist who has extensive knowledge of (and experience with) anatomy, physiology and stretching techniques. They will take you through a comprehensive stretch routine personalized for your particular needs and goals. For many stretches, you will relax your limbs completely to maximize the benefit; for others, you will engage and work certain specific muscles.
While many people choose to make regular assisted stretching a part of their daily or weekly routine,assisted stretching with one of our experts also empowers you to learn how to optimize stretching on you own, giving you the opportunity to dramatically improve your overall health
and performance.
Yes. Stretch Therapy is the safest, most efficient method for anyone to improve their flexibility and expand their range of motion. Your trained stretch therapist will carefully ensure the safety of your session, and like any other form of stretching, ST is far more likely to prevent injury than cause it. Millions of people have now tried ST, including and it is suitable for everyone regardless of their age, fitness condition or activity level.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic care is a licensed health care profession that emphasizes the body’s ability to heal itself. Treatment typically involves manual therapy (especially spinal manipulation), but it may involve a variety of other therapies, such as therapeutic exercises, acupuncture, the application of vasopneumatic devices (cupping) or nutritional counseling. Modern chiropractic medicine also utilizes a broad range of FDA-approved medical devices to supplement patient treatment, such as therapeutic lasers, decompression tables and electromagnetic therapy devices.
Chiropractors approach patient care in a manner similar to that used in conventional medicine. They interview the patient, obtain a detailed health history, perform an examination, do tests, and develop a working diagnosis. They then develop a management plan, start treatment, and
monitor the patient’s progress. Chiropractors are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches, particularly with their skilled manipulations or chiropractic adjustments.
The manual treatment methods used by chiropractors range from stretching and sustained pressure to specific joint manipulations that involve a quick and gentle thrust. They also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, including the entire system of muscles, ligaments, and joints. Chiropractors also counsel patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy
habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification. You can find additional information about chiropractic medicine at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic-in-depth
Chiropractic medicine is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal pain and immobility. Although chiropractic care has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic treatment, however, are very small in comparison to many other types of medical care. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.
To practice as a chiropractor in the United States, individuals must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam, and have a state license.
Many states also require chiropractors to pass an exam about state-specific laws, and all states require practicing chiropractors to take continuing education classes. Chiropractic education includes classes in basic sciences, such as anatomy and physiology, and supervised clinical experience in which students learn skills such as spinal assessment, adjustment techniques, and making diagnoses. Some chiropractors also complete postgraduate education in specialized fields, such as orthopedics or pediatrics.
You can find additional information on this topic at the National Center for Complementary andIntegrative Health at https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic-in-depth
An adjustment (or manipulation) of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints, which makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. There are nerve endings in and around the spinal joints that are stimulated when the joint is moved or mobilized. The stimulation of the nerve endings in the spinal joints can result in muscle relaxation and pain reduction. There is usually minimal, if any, discomfort involved.
Laser Therapy
Therapeutic lasers are a modern, non-invasive, drug-free technique that utilizes light energy to reduce pain and inflammation, accelerate healing in damaged tissues, relax muscles, and stimulate nerve regeneration. Patients receiving treatments with modern, higher-powered lasers, such as the one we use, frequently report a rapid decrease in pain.
For someone suffering from chronic pain, this effect can be particularly pronounced. Laser therapy (also known as photobiomodulation), is the transfer of light photons into musculoskeletal tissue that interact with the cytochrome c complex within the cell mitochondria. The result of this interaction, and the point of conducting laser therapy treatments, is the biological cascade of events that leads to an increase in cellular metabolism (promoting tissue healing) and a decrease in pain.
Laser therapy is used to treat both acute and chronic conditions as well as post-activity recovery. It is also used as an alternative to prescription drugs, to help avoid the need for certain surgical procedures and as a pre-and post-surgery treatment to help control pain.
You can find additional information about laser therapy, its applications and mechanism of action by visiting https://lightforcemedical.com/laser-therapy/
No. Laser therapy treatments are administered directly to skin, as laser light cannot penetrate through layers of clothing. You will feel a soothing warmth as the therapy is administered. Many patients receiving LightForce ® Therapy Laser treatments report enjoying the experience,
especially when we use a massage-ball treatment head to deliver what is often referred to as a “laser massage.”
Yes. Therapy lasers are safe and effective treatment options to reduce musculoskeletal pain due to injury. Our 40W LightForce® XLi is one of the most advanced, effective and safest therapeutic lasers ever produced and is categorized by the FDA as a Class IV cold laser therapy
(i.e, photobiomodulation) device. Class IV laser therapy devices were approved by the FDA in 2004 for the safe and efficacious reduction of pain and for accelerating tissue repair by increasing micro-circulation. The biggest risk to injury during laser therapy treatments is to the eye, which is why certified, protective eyewear is always required during laser therapy treatments.
LightForce ® laser treatments are exceptionally quick. A treatment typically last 3-10 minutes depending on the size, depth, and acuteness of the condition being treated. High-power lasers are able to deliver a lot of energy in a small amount of time, allowing therapeutic dosages to be achieved quickly.
Laser therapy is generally most effective when administered to patients in 2-3 treatments per week when therapy is first initiated. As symptoms resolve, treatments can be administered far less frequently. The nature of the condition and the patient’s response to the treatments will play
a key role in determining how many treatments will ultimately be needed. Most laser therapy care plans will involve 6-12 treatments in total, with more treatment needed for longer standing, chronic conditions. Your care specialist will develop a treatment plan that is optimal for your
condition.
Patients often report improved sensation, including a therapeutic warmth and some pain relief immediately after the treatment. For noticeable changes in symptoms and condition, patients should undergo a series of treatments as the benefits of laser therapy from one treatment to the next are cumulative.
Laser treatment will not require any reduction in activity. The nature of a specific injury and the current stage within the healing process will dictate appropriate activity levels. Laser will often reduce pain which will make it easier to perform different activities and will often help restore more normal joint mechanics.
Health insurance plans do not currently cover laser treatments despite the existence of CPT codes for laser therapy and its widespread use by chiropractors and physical therapists. As a result, laser treatments are typically paid for directly by the patient. We charge less for our laser treatment sessions than most other healthcare providers in the Phoenix metro area, and we offer significant discounts for the purchase of laser treatment packages. You can learn more about our prices in our [Laser Therapy link] section.
Hessler Motion Therapy
Yes. Our clinic and Dr. Monte Hessler’s clinic, Hessler Motion Therapy, are affiliated under a joint management and shared services agreement through which the clinics share providers and offer a similar range of services. For example, Dr. Abe and Dr. Warman treat chiropractic patients at both clinics, and patients can receive the same quality chiropractic treatment and assisted stretch therapy at either location.
Dr. Monte Hessler, D.C., has been providing chiropractic care to residents of the Valley for more than 3 decades and has been repeatedly voted one of the best healthcare providers in the Phoenix area. While Dr. Hessler has become a leading voice in the fields of regenerative medicine and non-invasive treatments for spinal injuries, he is best known for his sports medicine expertise, having treated hundreds of professional athletes with a wide variety of injuries. For nearly two decades, he has served as the team chiropractor for the Phoenix Suns, and he continues to serve in a similar role for the Phoenix Mercury, the San Francisco Giants, and the PGA Tour.
Dr. Hessler’s clinic, Hessler Motion Therapy, is located in downtown Phoenix, in the historic Sun Mercantile Building, local protected historic landmark since 1987 adjacent to Talking Stick Resort Arena. The address is 230 South 3rd Street, Suite B3, Phoenix, AZ 85004. They clinic is open to patients from 9 AM to 6 PM Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 9:30 AM to 4 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can reach the clinic by phone at (602) 714-3690, by email at info@drmontehessler.com or online at https://drmontehessler.com/.
Yes and no. Both clinics offer traditional chiropractic care, acupuncture and basic stretch therapy, but each also offers additional services the other does not. For example, Hessler Motion Therapy has a special focus on sports medicine and the ability to screen for, as well as provide, full service regenerative medicine therapy. Hessler Motion Therapy also offers supplemental PEMF therapy and non-surgical decompression, whereas Peak Motion & Wellness offers its patients state-of-the-art therapeutic laser treatments and a more extensive array of stretch therapy options. After your initial examination at either of clinic, our medical staff may recommend specific therapies that are only provided at one of the two clinics.
Generally, yes. Several of our clinic’s healthcare providers also treat patients at Hessler Motion Therapy, and if a patient at one clinic would prefer to seek treatment at the other, the two clinics will work together to ensure a seamless transition. One reason the clinics chose to affiliate was their recognition that some of our patients might benefit from the convenience of receiving care at a clinic closer to their home or workplace. The two clinics also share a similar mix of patients and therapeutic offerings, and equivalent medical care is always offered for the same reasonable cost at both locations.
Other Questions
Some chiropractic and wellness therapies are reimbursable by most health insurance plans in Arizona, including major medical plans, workers’ compensation, Medicare and, some Medicaid plans. Our clinic is out of network with most plans, but this does not preclude any patient from pursuing reimbursement from their insurance provider for therapies we provide. Stretch therapy is not considered a medical procedure and is therefore not covered by health insurance plans. Laser therapy coverage has recently been added to a handful of health insurance plans outside Arizona, but as of November 2022, it is not currently covered by any health insurance plans in Arizona.
No. The chiropractor that provided treatment at HealthSource of North Phoenix is no longer affiliated with our clinic, nor is any of the other prior staff. While the clinic at our location was previously a HealthSource franchisee, Peak Motion & Wellness has no affiliation or association with the HealthSource franchise or with anyone affiliated with HealthSource. We provide a different range of therapies and utilize a different set of policies and procedures than did HealthSource of North Phoenix. We no longer offer HealthSource products for resale nor do we rely on HealthSource supplies, materials, business practices or manuals in our daily operations. If you wish to seek treatment from a HealthSource franchisee, one is located in Chandler, Arizona and a member of our staff can provide you with their contact details.
