Our Clinic is a multidisciplinary state-of-the-art practice.  Below are some of the different treatments that we provide to help achieve a pain free Nebraska. 

About Our Practice 

•  Active Release Techniques Soft- Tissue Management System
• Spinal Decompression Therapy by SpineMED
• Spinal Rejuvenation Therapy
• Spinal Manipulation/Mobilization
• Treatments of Headaches
• Biomechanical Analysis of Running Injuries
• Biomechanical Analysis of the Golf Swing
• Biomechanical Analysis of the Throwing Motion
• Customized Orthotics Fitting
• Exercise Strengthening
• Low Level Laser Therapy for pain control & healing 
• Massage Therapy
• Nutritional Support 
• Post Operative Scar Tissue Management
• Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Therapy
• Performance Care
• State of the Art Chiropractic Treatments
• SEMG Testing using MyoVision
• Radilogical Exams (X-Rays)

Hello, my name is Dr. Thomas Morehead, Dr. Chris Saalfeld and I would like to welcome you to our website.  My staff and I take great pride in our quality treatment standards and would like the oppurtunity to welcome you to our caring facility.  We feel that our facility is the state-of-the-art facility in Omaha.  We utilize some of the most advanced up to date procedures and techniques.  These include Active Release Technique, which most consider the Gold Standard in soft tissue treatment, low level laser therapy, a strength and conditioning area using some of the most effective rehabilitation equipmentand, and specialized table for spinal rejuvenation.

We'll go to work to help you reach your fullest potential.  Whether you're training for a marathon, trying to attain your best golf swing, or endevoring to be at your best physically our staff has years of experience helping elite athletes and fit-minded reach their optimal performance.

*Call or e-mail us now for a complimentary DVD on Spinal Rejuvenation Therapy or a DVD on Why Chiropractic is so Popular*

You may also visit www.omahapainrelief.com to download a FREE Video & Report on various injuries from lowback pain & neck pain to headache & weight loss and the numerious ways to treat these conditions!

Chiropractic Care

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic (Ki-ro-prac-tic): Meaning is treatment by hands.  Chiropractic is the second largest healing profession in the world.  Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise: With a normal functioning spine and a healthy lifestyle, your body is better able to heal itself.  The primary tool of treatment is the spinal adjustment in which pressure is applied to an area of the spine having a dysfunctional joint (subluxation).  The result is reduction of pain and inflammation and the removal of pressure which was on a nerve.

Chiropractic physcians are highly trained doctors that specialize in science of the function of the spinal column, the bodies musculature structures and nervous system.  Pain is a signal from the body to the brain that something is wrong.  We do not treat the symptoms, we search for the ture cause of the pain and dysfunction.  We view the patient as a whole intergrated being and forcus on spinal health as the key to overall health and wellness.  Chiropractic is the only profession dedicated tothe detection and correction of the subluxation also known as the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC).

What is the Vertebral Subluxation Complex?

Our bodies are made up of billions of living cells that are organized into tissues, organs, and the body systems.  They work together in a synchronized, harmonious way to create a living being, the human body.  The brain controls the synchronization and communicates to the body via the nervous system.  A subluxation (VSC) is a misalignment of one or more of the vertebra of the spinal column.  The subluxation could cause a pinching or irritation of the nerves and could be caused by automobile accidents, traumas, stress, poor posture, sports injuries, repetiteve strain injuries and other causes can create these spinal misalignments.  These misalignments can immediately or over time cause the symptoms of headache, migranes, back and neck pain and numbness, burning, tingling, and weakness in the shoulders, arms, legs, hands, hips, and feet.  The subluxation can cause alteration in the nerve functions and interferes with the transmission of the impulses resulting in a decreased signal from the brain to cell, tissue, organ, or system.  In simple terms, the inability of the body to express its maximum health potential.

This complex can include all or any combination of the following:

1. The osseous(bone) component: There is abnormal motion and/or position of the spinal vertebra.  The vertebra are either less mobile (Hypo-mobile) or too mobile (Hypermobile).  Vertebra that are hypo-mobile are often referred to as fixed or jammed.  The vertebra that are hyper-mobile are often referred to as loose or unstable.  Either way, there is an abnormal function and a dereased range of motion.
2. The connective tissue component: The muscle, ligaments, tendons and/or fascia in the area are adversely affected and their normal function is altered.  The muscles may have spasms or are to weak to perform normal movement of the human skeleton.
3. The disc component: Teh cushion between the vertebra, called the disc, may be affected by abnormal position or motion of the vertebra.
4. The neurological component: A subluxation can cause irritation of the associated nerve and/or cause interference with their normal function.
5. Altered biomechanics: When a subluxation causes the bones, connective tissue, disc, and nerve function, and only in one or more areas of the spine, the spinal column cannot perform its normal function.  This abnormal function can lead to the spinal curvatures being decreased resulting in an unbalanced condition of the spine.  This can lead to further additioanl abnormal functions of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, organs, and systems, which can lead to more subluxations.

Treatment by Adjustment:

When the 24 bones (vertebra) that protect the spinal cord lose their normal position (subluxation) or motion, delicate tissues surrounding the nerves become irritated or pinched.  If during a thorough chiropractic examination reveals faulty biomechanics of the spine.  Chiropractic adjustments are recommended to help correct this condition.  Adjustments are the only form of treatment that can correct this position.  Pain and stiffness are just some of the  symptoms caused by subluxations.  Pain medication and muscle relaxers only cover up the symptoms and do nothing to correct the underlying problem.

Chiropractic adjustments are used to help restore proper position or motion to the spinal bones given increased mobility and strength, while relieving pain and stiffness.  The doctor uses their hands and applies a quick thrust or a constant low pressure to restore these bones to their proper position.  Sometimes the doctor can even use a special instrument or specialized table.  Whatever style the doctor uses the adjustment given is usually gentle and painless.  In fact chiropractors treatments are so safe that they enjoy the lowest malpractice rates of all medical professions.

Keep in mind that Chiropractic doesn't cure anything, you do!

In conjuntion with the chiropractic adjustment, Dr. Morehead utilizes other types of treatments such as True Spinal Decompression, laser therapy, exercise, nutritional support, massage and Active Release Technique, which is the gold standard in soft tissue therapy.

Spinal Rejuvenation Therapy (SRT)

It is a fact that damaged intervertebral discs seldom heal, as the discs are constantly under pressure, even while at rest. The SpineMED Table uses clinically proven principles to non-surgically decompress the spine and reduce pressure inside the discs. Decompression or the reduction of pressure inside the disc facilitates the transfer of fluids, nutrients and oxygen back inside the disc and results in the retraction  of the bulging or herniated disc, causing welcome relief of nerve pressure. SpineMED Spinal Disc Decompression is designed to facilitate the natural healing of the discs.

Previous research of this technology found that the treatment provided relief in 86% of the patients. That is using just the table, when we start incorporating other treatments the result are in the mid 90's. Spinal Disc Rejuvenation Therapy is desined to correct the causes of back pain, neck pain, sciatica or radiculopathy, and not just treat the symptoms. Treatment on the SpineMED Table is so comfortable that most patients fall asleep during the therapy.

Active Release Techniques

The Active Release Techniques Soft Tissue Management System was developed and founded by Dr. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Dr. Leahy is currently conducting research with the University of California San Diego Medical School on cumulative trauma disorders. Additionally, he serves on the Colorado Division of Worker’s Compensation Guidelines Committee for the treatment of cumulative trauma disorders. Dr. Leahy’s works have been published in several peer- reviewed journals.

Active Release provides a way to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of a variety of conditions collectively called cumulative trauma disorders. These disorders are also known as repetitive stress injuries or "overuse" syndromes. These syndromes are given familiar names like rotator cuff syndrome, tendonitis and plantar fascitis. Other conditions that fall directly into this category are post- operative scar tissue, carpal tunnel, chronic low back pain, and hyper extension/flexion injury (whiplash).

Understanding Soft Tissue Dysfunction

To understand soft tissue injury, you must comprehend the basic mechanism of cumulative injury. Cumulative trauma disorder is the major injury problem in the workforce and the general population in this country. Federal statistics show that it now surpasses back pain, and worsening by 670 percent in the last 5 years. Past therapies such as massage, heat, cold, electrical stimulation, rest, exercise and surgery – have all failed to treat them effectively.” Leahy

Symptoms of cumulative trauma disorders are sensations of tingling, burning, aching and weaknesses. When a muscle, tendon, ligament, or nerve is damaged from trauma or overuse, the body will attempt to repair the damage with scar tissue. These scar tissue adhesions left untreated perpetuate the cumulative injury cycle and result in progressive loss of function and increased pain. Soft tissue dysfunction often leads to a loss of flexibility, strength, and range of motion. People often attribute these losses to "just getting old," but this is seldom the case.

Active Release separates, releases, and stretches the connective tissue adhesions, restores vascular and lymph circulation, and increases your range of motion, flexibility, and strength.

The treatments can be a bit uncomfortable, or even a little painful, but this pain is an important indicator that the problem has been located and signals that the treatments are correcting the injury. Patients often report that it "hurts good."

Regardless of your activity level you can benefit from Active Release. From those who are victims of car accidents -- or even the proud weekend warrior -- Active Release has proven to be a fast, effective, non-invasive way to heal a wide variety of soft tissue injuries.

Why Active Release is Different

Active Release is a highly successful approach to injuries of muscles, tendons, nerves, and the surrounding soft tissues. Active Release is not massage, physiotherapy, or chiropractic care. While those procedures relieve muscle and motion dysfunction, they do not necessarily address the underlying problems caused by scar tissue formation.

Active Release has proven to be especially valuable for athletes, from the professional to the beginner. Ninety percent of the time athletes with acute or long- standing muscular strain/sprain injuries experience complete recovery -- in a short period of time.

Who is your local Active Release provider?

Throughout an initial examination, we focus on the patient’s specific problem areas, using Active Release to diagnose the presence of abnormal inflammation and scar tissue adhesions. We then discusses findings and recommendations for treatment with the patient. Recommendations include what kind of treatments are necessary, how many treatments are needed, and the prognosis for a complete recovery.  We treat the affected area by using Active Release -- a unique combination of pressure, tension, and motion to reduce the scar tissue adhesions, which are causing your pain.

Many patients experience complete recovery after only 5–10 visits, although this depends on the severity of their injuries. Because of the soft tissue component, where other treatments fail, ART succeeds. The bottom line is that patients get well quickly, completely, and with much less expense. In fact because success rates are so high and costs are so low, the Colorado Compensation Insurance Authority is funding a study comparing Active Release to more conventional or typical treatments for cumulative trauma injuries.