Fort Collins Spinal Rehabilitation Clinic Announces Integrated Approach To Health Care

Nov. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Dr. Michael Farrell and Dr. April Cardwell, chiropractors and co-owners of the Spine Correction Center of the Rockies at 1101 Oakridge Drive, Suite A in Fort Collins announce the addition of a full time medical professional and additional physical therapy services for an integrated approach to spinal and pain rehabilitation care.  The team of a medical professional and two chiropractors certified to perform physical therapy, work together in patient care to optimize healing and facilitate improved care for patients.

“Imagine an environment where your medical professional, chiropractor and physical therapist, are all working together to provide you with the best possible care in musculoskeletal disorders.  At the SCC (Spine Correction Center) we have created this environment, that is allowing us to get the best results with each individuals needs,” said Dr. Michael Farrell.
 
The unique combination of a medical professional and two chiropractors with unique training to provide physical therapy in the same clinic allow for treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions including spinal disc disorders, scoliosis, trauma from auto accidents and falls, sports injuries, and degenerative conditions including osteoarthritis of the shoulder, hip, and knee.

Individuals suffering injuries from a trauma like an auto accident, ski accident, or a fall often develop abnormal muscle pathologies where the muscle spasms and forms hard knots or trigger points.  Trigger points are painful and allow products of muscle contraction to accumulate.  Family Nurse Practitioner Jean Fitch has joined the practice as full time medical staff.  One of her many responsibilities, according to Dr. Farrell is providing trigger point injections.  These trigger point injections contain a botanical ingredient.  “Any type of injury where there are acute or chronic muscle spasms would benefit from trigger point injections.  A patient who has a blown disc in their low back has severe muscle spasms that are guarding the damaged joint, the trigger point injection reduces the muscle spasm effectively and quickly,” remarks Dr. Farrell.
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Patients with degenerative conditions caused by injury or age can find relief from another new service at Spine Correction Center called large point injections.  According to Dr. Farrell these injections go into the knee, shoulder or sacroiliac (hip) joint and replace the natural cushion material within the joint that age or injury has depleted.  “These injections are safe and allow for a localized anti-inflammatory response.  Of particular note are the injections for the knee as they can be used effectively as a means of preventing joint replacements in the knee,” comments Dr. Farrell.

Soft tissue (muscle, tendon, and ligament) rehabilitation is accomplished through therapeutic exercise, stretching, massage, and other modalities by the Spine Correction Centers physical therapists.  The chiropractic team of Dr. Farrell and Dr. Cardwell perform adjustments to the spine and extremities, vibrational therapies, spinal weighting and other techniques to correct spinal abnormalities caused by injuries or conditions like disc herniation and scoliosis.

The team at Spine Correction Center of the Rockies is enthusiastic about bringing this integrated approach with a medical professional and two chiropractors certified to provide physical therapy within the same building providing care.  “This is a new concept for the area, and is allowing us to get people out of pain and get the cause of their pain fixed quickly,” said Dr. Michael Farrell.  

Jean Hershey Fitch is a Family Nurse Practitioner and full time medical staff at Spine Correction Center of the Rockies.  Jean Fitch graduated from Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana with a B.S. in Nursing and earned her Masters in Nursing from the University of Colorado.   Her vast experience in health care includes hospital nursing, village health work, teaching nursing, college health nurse, and nurse practitioner.

Dr. April Cardwell attended York College in York, Nebraska graduating with a Bachelor of Science in General Science.  Dr. Cardwell received her Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa in February of 2006.  In addition to her chiropractic education, she has extensive post graduate study on spinal rehabilitation focusing on spinal curve restoration at the Pettibon Institute.  Dr. Cardwell has also received extensive training in physical medicine through the CLEAR Institute.

Dr. Michael Farrell received a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado majoring in Business Administration with minors in Leadership Studies, Outdoor Leadership, and Biblical Studies.  In June of 2006 Dr. Farrell completed his professional education at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa earning a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.  Dr. Farrell furthered his education through extensive training in rehabilitation programs including the Pettibon Technique.   Dr.  Farrell has obtained comprehensive training in physical medicine from the CLEAR Institute, where he serves on their Board of Advisors.

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Dr. Cardwell has practiced with Dr. Michael Farrell at the Spine Correction Center of the Rockies in Fort Collins, Colorado since July of 2007.