Dr. Michael Francis, DC is the Wilmington DE Chiropractor for Peak Performance, with a focus on both Sports and Auto Injuries.

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Whole Body Cryotherapy

Cryo means “cold”, and Cryotherapy is the process of using cold temperatures for its many health benefits. Athletes have been soaking in cold tubs and ice baths for decades, but recent innovation, research, and technology now allows for whole body cryotherapy (WBC) in a specialized chamber or sauna using liquid nitrogen and is the most advanced, tolerable, and efficient form currently available. Whole body Cryotherapy (WBC) treatments are a revolutionary method of exposing the body to subzero temperatures for a very short duration (3 minutes).

Benefits include reduced pain and inflammation, improved energy and metabolism, enhanced recovery and performance, increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, and has been shown to help with anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Follow the link below for more information on whole body cryotherapy inside The Spine Spa, our own passive therapy room.

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Spinal Adjustments

Following soft tissue injury from sports & auto accidents, or repetitive wear and tear, the individual often alters the normal position or flexibility of the spinal vertebrae, causing misalignments or “subluxations”. Chiropractic spinal adjustments are designed to restore normal alignment, take pressure of nerves, and thus minimize pain and inflammation. This gentle manipulative therapy is highly effective in rapidly returning the injured person to a functional pain-free status.

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Extremity Adjustments

Just like the spine, joints of the extremities can also misalign or “subluxate”. When this happens, biomechanics of that joint can become altered and result in strain, sprain, or nerve entrapment. As the ONLY Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner (CCEP) in the state of Delaware, Dr. Francis – chiropractor, Wilmington DE – specializes in locating and correcting misalignments of the shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, hips, knees, and ankles/feet.

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ARPwave Neuro-Therapy

This cutting edge physical therapy patented on NFL athletes uses direct current (DC) compounded with a high frequency double exponential, patented background waveform, combined with specific active range of motion exercises and functional movements. Whether you have suffered from a sports injury or auto accident, ARPwave Neuro-therapy will remove compensation patterns, improve strength and pain-free movement, and speed up recovery time.

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Exercise & Rehabilitation

As a Physiotherapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Dr. Francis applies scientific knowledge to prescribe a specific condition-based rehabilitation program for each patient. Sport-specific strength training and conditioning programs can also be designed for student athletes, as well as providing guidance for soft tissue injury prevention.

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Cox Flexion-Distraction

Cox Flexion-Distraction Technique is a gentle, chiropractic decompressive procedure specifically developed for the treatment of low back pain. Also known as Cox Decompression, it has become the most widely researched technique for the treatment of low back and leg pain in the chiropractic profession. The unique design of the table allows the certified practitioner to slowly and gently reduce the pressures on the disc and intervertebral joints.

Decompression Therapy is a proven treatment for the relief of lower back pain. With a significant success rate, thousands of patients have prevented spinal surgery and experienced dramatic pain relief and permanent healing. Decompression Therapy can isolate each lumbar vertebra and distract the vertebrae surrounding an injured disc 5 to 7 millimeters, and provides a significant reduction of pressure on structures that are causing low back pain.

Negative pressure promotes the diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrients into the vertebral disc area, thereby re-hydrating the degenerated disc. Repeated pressure differential promotes retraction of a herniated nucleus pulposus (the elastic core of the intervertebral disc). The Disc Decompression Therapy treatment can reduce pressure on the vertebral joints, promote retraction of herniated discs, promote self healing and rehabilitation of damaged discs, thereby relieving low back pain.

As a certified Cox Flexion-Distraction provider, Dr. Francis can promote retraction of herniated discs, reduce acceleration of arthritis and degeneration, relieve nerve compression, and promote self healing and rehabilitation of damaged discs. The result is pain relief and improved biomechanical function.

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Cold Laser Therapy

Cold Laser Therapy is the most advanced form of phototherapy currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of many pain syndromes and neuromuscular complaints. When laser light is absorbed by living tissue, it triggers biological reactions in the cells including:

  • ATP synthesis within the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
  • Production of endorphins and enkephalins (natural pain killers)
  • Enhanced lymphatic drainage (to remove inflammation)
  • Stimulates production of fibroblasts (soft tissue repair) and osteoblasts (bone repair)

In short, the Apollo Cold Laser accelerates the healing time of injured tissue. Cold Laser Therapy is more powerful than other physical therapy modalities, and treatments are done in less than 2 minutes. As a result, many sports physicians and physical therapists are now using Cold Laser Therapy over TENS units, Interferential stimulation, and ultrasound.

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Nutrition

Chronic inflammation is being recognized more and more as the root cause of (modern) disease, as well as pain from injuries and misalignments (subluxations). Some examples of conditions associated with inflammation include: auto-immune disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, fibromyalgia, sciatica, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and the list goes on. Causing pain, fatigue, cognitive decline and depression, chronic inflammation has reached epidemic proportions in industrialized nations. Managing inflammation on a long-term basis promotes healing and natural pain management.

For optimal healing and recovery, proper nutrition is an essential adjunct to chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitation. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Francis can make the appropriate recommendations for your condition-based needs. At Francis Optimal Performance Chiropractic, we carry only pharmaceutical grade products that are independently tested, to ensure that the label reflects what is actually in the product.

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Orthotics Casting

Orthotics provide functional support to a falling arch in the foot. Over time, the repetitive force of 6,000-10,000 steps a day can start to stretch the ligaments in our feet that hold up the arch. This dropped arch leads to pes planus (flat feet) and excessive foot pronation, causing internal rotation of the leg and posterior rotation of the pelvis. The end result is additional stress absorbed by the knees, hips, pelvis, and low back. Appropriate orthotics support that arch and help to restore proper movement patterns in the lower extremity. A thorough exam with our chiropractor, Wilmington, Delaware’s Dr Francis, can determine if your pain is a result of improper foot mechanics.

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Active Release Technique

Active Release Technique (ART) is a patented hands-on soft tissue management system designed to identify and treat scar tissue and adhesions that develop in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Repetitive stress, strains/sprains, muscle spasm and hypoxia (lack of oxygen) can lead to inflammation and the formation of dense scar tissue resulting in poor joint mechanics and loss of full function.

Our bodies own scar tissue removal systems are slow and often times ineffective, leading to chronic repetitive injuries. As a certified ART Provider, Dr. Francis, sports chiropractic professional, can quickly and efficiently remove the scar tissue, promoting optimal function and healthier tissue. Active Release Technique initially emerged in the NFL over a decade ago, and currently over 80% of professional sports teams in the U.S. utilize ART sports chiropractic practitioners to improve performance before and after events and to allow for faster healing of injuries.

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Graston Technique

Graston Technique is an innovative, patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. As a certified Graston provider, Dr. Francis utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. The goal is to improve circulation, elasticity, and range of motion back to damaged soft tissue, thus restoring proper function and reducing risk of re-injury.

Graston Technique has become standard protocol in major universities and hospital-based outpatient facilities across the nation, as well as being used by NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball trainers.

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Kinesio Taping

Kinesio-Taping is one of the most effective sports chiropractic techniques to treat overuse injuries in athletes today. Developed over two decades ago by a Japanese chiropractor, Kenzo Kase, DC, the technique is already widely used in much of the world, and was highly visible on many athletes in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Kinesio-Tape is fundamentally different from conventional sports tape, which limits range of motion and circulation by restricting movement of the affected muscle and joints. As a Certified Kinesio-Taping Practitioner (CKTP) and Certified RockTape Functional Movement Technique (FMT) Provider , Dr. Francis can utilize this highly elastic tape to improve range of motion of the injured muscle & joint, while lifting the skin and fascia away from the injured area. This will allow blood to flow properly and alleviate swelling, thus promoting healing.

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We pride ourselves on providing quality individualized care. Dr. Michael Francis is the chiropractor Wilmington residents need for peak performance, with a focus on both sports and auto injuries.
(302) 475-3200
[email protected]

Contact us

Address:

2500 Grubb Road Ste. 132, Wilmington, DE 19810

Phone: (302) 475-3200

Email: [email protected]

Get directions to our North North Wilmington, DE chiropractic office and our downtown Wilmington, DE Chiropractor Office

Chiropractic Office Hours

  • Monday: 8:00am-6:00pm
  • Tuesday: 9:00am-1:00pm
  • Wednesday: 8:00am-6:00pm
  • Thursday: 8:00am-6:00pm
  • Friday: 9:00am-1:00pm
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