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Chiropractic Philosophy Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts and sciences that emphasizes the dependency of health on the correct functioning of the nervous system. The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) helps to free the nervous system from interference with its normal function when such interference is the result of or related to distortion, subluxation (ie. displaced vertebra), or misalignment of the bones of the spinal column. Since chiropractic focuses on the prevention of dis-ease, Doctors of Chiropractic offer their patients guidance in the maintenance of good health. This guidance considers many factors, including the environment, diet, exercise, rest, and stress. When corrective measures are indicated, chiropractic uses methods that are less invasive than medication or surgery. Modern Chiropractic Chiropractic deals mainly with two systems: A) Musculoskeletal system B) Nervous system There is much medical research supporting chiropractic and how it benefits musculoskeletal conditions for low back, disc, neck, headaches, pinched nerves, shoulder, knee/hip injuries. Chiropractic adjustments will improve your overall musculoskeletal health. The adjustments will restore normal joint biomechanics and alignment. This office pays special attention to stretching, trigger points, muscle balancing and the use of therapies in conjunction with adjustments to facilitate the healing process. Once the musculoskeletal system has been reconditioned, the patient will feel more relaxed, will sleep better, and have increased energy and strength. Misalignments and subluxations will cause nerve interference, thereby causing a variety of secondary symptoms such as: pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Adjustments will help remove subluxations and misalignments, thereby reducing the aforementioned secondary symptoms. What You Can Expect on Your First Visit On your first visit, you will be evaluated and an active plan of treatment will be given to you, tailored to your specific needs. The doctor will work with you to ensure that you achieve the total understanding and benefit from treating your condition. You will be educated on how to stretch and work out properly, so as not to aggravate your condition. The doctors understand that you want to get back to the gym and your regular daily activities as soon as possible. They will review lifestyle, sleep habits, work ergonomics and workouts, thereby making recommendations and modifications, to ensure your maximum benefit, as well as a most expedient recovery and a positive environment for total health. Office Procedures and Treatment On your first visit, you will sit with your doctor, one-on-one, to discuss your medical history and perform a complete examination, which will include range of motion, spinal biomechanics, deep tendon reflexes, muscle strength,and neurological and orthopedic testing. Other testing will be conducted to make a final diagnosis and to determine the most appropriate therapies. The doctor will then discuss your conditions and specific physiotherapies that will be utilized to treat your condition and the benefits of these therapies. After the application of your specific therapies, the doctor will do a spinal and soft tissue manipulation, which helps to reduce pain, inflammation and muscle spasm. Spinal manipulation is used to align and unlock the spine and joints. The doctor will go over specific stretches, therapies and supplements that will help facilitate the fastest possible recovery. Once pain, inflammation and spasms are reduced, Dr. Coniglio and his staff will go over your specific workout routine to assure optimal strength and performance to avoid re-injury. Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine The following tips can help you take better care of your spine: 1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping positions are on your back with a large pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your legs. Do not sleep on the pain side down. 2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight. 3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your hips. 4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum. 5) Try to get into the habit of stretching three to five times a day. Stretching will help to improve blood supply and circulation into the damaged/injured area, thereby stimulating the healing process and the removal of metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid. Other helpful information regarding injuries and treatment 1) Pain is usually a final indicator that something is wrong. Pain receptors will only be activated when there are large amounts of pressure, compression, stretching, noxious chemicals, etc. in your body. Problems can exist without pain. For example, patients with cancer do not realize there is a problem because no pain/symptoms exist. It is the same with certain musculoskeletal problems. Through tests such as range of motion, palpation, orthopedic and functional tests, the doctor will determine if you have fully recovered. At this time the doctor will discharge you from treatment. 2) If you are working out and you experience pain, do not ignore it and continue to work out. Your body is telling you that you are damaging tissue. This will result in tissue and joint deterioration and should be checked out immediately with your chiropractor. 3) Most common injuries usually occur when you are doing something insignificant like cleaning your apartment, mild workouts, bending the wrong way, putting on your shoes, etc. Initially, you may not feel any symptoms that day. The next day when you wake up, however, you may feel stiff and achy. Two or three days later, you may not be able to move or get out of bed secondary to severe pain and muscle spasms. This injury occured because of improper joint and spinal biomechanics, imbalance in muscle tone, and loss of range of motion. Restoring the normal range of motion, biomechanics and muscle tone is important to achieving optimal performance and function, thereby preventing future injuries. 4) Within the first 24 hours after an initial injury, it is advisable to ice the injured area repeatedly 8-10 minutes two to the three times per day. 5) Be sure to do appropriate stretches for your condition three to five times a day. 6) Once you have an injury the body must go through specific stages of healing. This healing process cannot be skipped but through proper treatment, we can speed up the healing process up to 50-75% faster. Most patients will be out of pain within 3-5 treatments. Testimonials 1) "It was April 2002 when I was introduced to your love, kindness and care. I was in so much pain, I could not even be touched. I literally sobbed walking down your steps to make my first appointment towards healing. Your magical touch has brought me to where I am today. Two years later, I am able to make my goal come true. Because of you, I am going to Ireland to ride 500 miles in 6 days for AIDS." -Devra 2) "In 1999, I was seriously ill with a staph infection. I was misdiagnosed by my general care practitioner. My illness was severe and persistent and the medication that my doctor gave me did not help. I was in bed for several weeks. I feel extremely fortunate because I went to see Dr. Coniglio. He designed a health plan that went beyond chiropractic. With a series of different therapies and exercises, my respiratory system improved. With Dr. Coniglio's care, and the care of an ear, nose and throat specialist, I recoverd my health. I am grateful to Dr. Coniglio and I feel he really saved my life." -Kathy Buist 3) "Professional athletes aren't the only ones with work-related injuries. We writers have them too! Mostly from wrapping ourselves around a computer keyboard. Dr. Steve has helped me to sail through some otherwise debilitating neck and lower back stress. He deserves the Pulitzer Prize of Chiropractic!" -Brad Gooch 4) "Dr. Coniglio and the team at West 16th Sports Chiropractic have a generosity of spirit and level of professionalism that I have never experienced among the NYC health care centers before. My back pain was a totally unexpected injury and Dr. Conoglio and his team provided me with a path to health and well-being that not only helped manage my lower back pain, but also educated me as to how to make the necessary lifestyle changes to maintain my progress. Thank you!" -Giovanni Legrottaglie 5) "When I injured myself in rehearsal I was devastated. Lying down on my back, I was unable to move. I called everybody I knew to find someone to help me. My good friend immediately suggested Dr. Steve and his staff. The treatments received at his clinic were first rate. Having visited many doctors of all kinds, immediately I knew I was in expert hands. My treatment, not only being extremely effective, also provided me with great information to prevent further injury. Within a few weeks I went from confined to my bed to being able to do everything a normal person can do. After a couple more weeks I was back in professional auditions. I am extremely confident that if I have another injury I will be taken care of by the best of the best." -Jonathan Jaffe -professional dancer with "The Stephen Petonio Company" 6) "After one and a half years of training and just before the Gay Games in Sydney, I severely injured my lower back while training for the upcoming events. I could barely walk from the pain and discomfort. After 3 days of intense treatment from Dr. Coniglio, I was back in training and two weeks later I was holding the Gold medal in the Men's B International Latin Division of the Games." -Jorge Guzman 7) "Doctors Steve and Lou and the team at West 16th Sports Chiropractic are the only chiropractors that I personally use and refer my clients to for supplemental treatments. They have a wonderful combination of skill, compassionate hearts and a spa-like environment that allows a deep healing to take place." -Kimberly Miller, Acupuncturist (646) 486-4277 8) "Due to an injury in a bike accident, I couldn't move my neck in either direction. In desperation, I went to see Dr. Coniglio, whose name I'd chosen at random from a list of providers approved by my health insurance. At first, the pain was so great and my nervousness so overwhelming, I wouldn't let him come anywhere close to adjusting my neck. The first time I let him crack me, he said it was good to feel the fear that accompanies the unknown, and even better to move through it to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with doing something frightening. I wasn't sure I believed him at the time, but it turns out he was right. Dr. Coniglio started out slowly, and within a couple of weeks, I received full-fledged chiropractic adjustments on a regular basis. Now I've recovered close to full use of my neck, and I even look forward to my appointments. When I think of how scared I was to go see him at first, I can't help but feel lucky that fate put me into the hands of this kind stranger, chosen randomly from an insurance provider book." -Lauran Sarat 9) "To the entire staff at West 16th Sports Chiropractic -- thank you so much for the assistance that each and every one of you all have given me over the past month. You all have been so outgoing, understanding and compassionate towards me, for which I am grateful. You have turned a really negative time in my life and made it a positive therapeutic experience, which really helped me and my recovery from it. Thanks so much!" -Timothy Berman 10) "I am writing your office a letter of recognition for your successful treatment of my tennis elbow. In addition, I may have had the impetus to go without the recommendation of another honest chiropractor. Knowing himself that he did not have all the means to treat it (ultrasound equipment), he said look for another who does. Within a couple of treatments I felt much better, and was able to resume my athletic regimen within a month." -George Barnes 11) "Herb and I wanted to thank you for your gifts and understanding, healing and humanity. In this modern world of 'rationed' care, it's rare to find a healthcare professional who can and does go beyond his narrowly defined managed care role, and exercise the deeper gifts of healing. You helped Herb and I see and deal with the unconscious fears haunting us as a result of my being ill. We sincerely appreciate the time you took in your office and the gym to help us get through this time with such concern and caring." -Bert and Herb