Shockwave therapy is an acoustic wave technology that can penetrate up to two inches deep to target tendon tissue. It is very effective in treating Achilles tendons, hamstring, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow and many others. Shockwave therapy improves blood floor to chronic tendon injuries to help facilitate healing and help restore the health of the tendon.

MSK (musculoskeletal) ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints throughout the body. It is used to help diagnose sprains, strains, tears, trapped nerves, arthritis, and other sports injuries. We are actually able to image your injury while you are moving it to confirm the location and sometimes even the cause of the injury. This information allows us to make a precise diagnosis and give you better rehab protocols and speed the healing of injuries.

Dr. Zappala specializes in sports injuries and uses manual manipulation of the spine and extremities as well as rehabilitation and strength and conditioning techniques to treat our patients. Sports chiropractors have advanced training in areas of sports medicine not covered in the traditional chiropractic curriculum. These areas include but are not limited to concussion management both at the athletic event and in the office.

ROCKTAPE is a brand of Kinesio tape that Dr. Z uses. It is a high-performance brand of traditional Kinesio tape. It is fantastic for treating common sports injuries like Rotator cuff strains, plantar fasciitis, and "runner's knee". Rocktape also can increase endurance by promoting blood flow during an athletic event. When applied properly, ROCKTAPE lifts the skin away from the muscle, which promotes blood flow. Faster blood flow means more oxygen and more lymph drainage, which helps remove lactic acid.

ROCKTAPE can be worn for up to 5 days. It is 100% organic cotton and can be worn while swimming or in the shower. Kinesio tape will help promote tissue healing and facilitate movement to get you back in the game. 

So how does cupping work? Either heat or air is used to create a suction in special cups that are placed on the body. The vacuum that’s created pulls the skin and blood vessels in toward the cup, which is why they can leave marks on the skin. Cupping is thought to pull blood to a certain area, and improve circulation and loosen up muscles and joints.

Dr. Zappala uses specific types of tools to treat soft tissue injuries to speed healing. A classic example is a hamstring strain which needs blood flow. The tools speed blood flow and supercharge healing.

Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT)® is a powerful muscular assessment tool that analyzes and corrects muscular imbalances. MAT focuses on the cause of the imbalance by testing, correcting, and maintaining muscle contractile efficiency. We believe that flexibility is a derivative of strength, and that muscle tightness is secondary to muscle weakness.