What makes Atlas Family Chiropractic unique is specialized and individualized approach to managing difficult cases. Dr Nygaard uses a variety of chiropractic methods, all low force in nature. Our utilization of the advanced specialty of Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic, is what differentiates  our office from mainstream chiropractors. Dr Nygaard is one of less than 250 Board Certified Atlas Orthogonal Doctors world wide, and the only Doctor with these credentials in Western North Carolina.

We also offer a variety of complimentary approaches to  Atlas Orthogonal. All of the methods used by Dr Nygaard uses are light force in nature. If you have been a chiropractic patient in the past and have a particular manner that you prefer to get adjusted, let Dr Nygaard know, as his approach can be varied to accomodate your  unique needs.

Dr Nygaard tends to adjust with a variety of instruments, as they provide light force, gentle ways of addressing abnormal spinal alignment and biomechanical issues that lead to a variety of pain syndromes

“Chiropractic without the snapping or popping of joints........experience the difference!!!"

PUlSTAR INSTRUMENT ADJUSTING

The PulStar™ is a computerized hand-held analysis and adjusting instrument. The PulStar™  instrument provides computerized  analysis of patient’s spinal segments for fixation and misalignment. As the spine is being analyzed, the results show up on a computer screen in both numerical and graphic format-and are  stored for documentation purposes. The analysis is accurate, repeatable, and scientific. 

Adjustments with the PulStar™ are gentle, painless, and avoid the twisting, snapping, and popping that can often accompany manual manipulation.

SPINAL DISC DECOMPRESSION

Spinal disc decompression is one of our advanced specialties. Though it is often used with severe cases and a variety of diagnoses, spinal decompression can be used for maintenance and prevention of degenerative spinal and disc conditions...read more

CPB - CHIROPRACTIC BIOPHYSICS

The importance of posture and its contribution to long term health is often under  appreciated. Complete postural correction requires longer term care plans (6 to 9 months), home postural exercises, and tractioning. CBP is for people that have the time, resources and ambition to commit to a more comprehensive approach to full spine postural correction.

Dr Nygaard utilized CBP and postural correction in his practice for many years, and considers himself to be well trained and competent in this approach. He has also moved on to less intense and demanding care plans that offer relief of many spinal pain disorders, in a more cost effective and “user friendly” manner.

Atlas Family Chiropractic uses the Posture Pro digital computerized program to image postural distortion patterns before and after postural correction care plans.

SOT - SACRO-OCCIPITAL TECHNIQUE

The brain and spinal cord coordinate everything we perceive, think and do, so the body protects this critical assembly by surrounding it with a system of membranes and fluids known collectively as the craniosacral system. This system runs all the way from the pelvic and sacral areas of the spine up to and including the atlas. skull and facial bones.

A brief summary of SOT can be described as a system that restores and coordinates the communication pathways of the brain, brain stem, spinal cord and nerve system circuitry
This craniosacral system is very complex and is intimately related to proper atlas  alignment.
Spinal trauma can often insult the functioning of the central nervous system, causing  the nervous system to become imbalanced with accompanying blockages that prevent the body from releasing normal stress, leading to compromised health and wellness.

THE ACTIVATOR METHOD

The activator is a small handheld spring-loaded instrument which delivers a gentle, specific  impulse to spinal segments. The Activator Method has its own unique analysis and adjustment protocol. Dr Nygaard has used the activator for years in his practice, while frankly he prefers The Pulstar , and its computerized analysis and instrument adjusting protocol. If patients have had previous experience and success in other offices with the Activator method, Dr Nygaard can easily adapt his approach and provide care based on patient preference.

The ROLE OF FOOT HEALTH IN BODY BALANCE

To achieve optimal and spinal balance it is vastly important to evaluate what may be causing the symptoms in pain syndromes.

Proper head and neck alignment is crucial to achieving body balance reducing stress on the body that accompanies postural stress. This makes proper atlas alignment a necessary dynamic in overall health. Proper head and neck (atlas) alignment can not be under estimated.
Most  times it is also necessary to determine if improper foot mechanics are causing the knees , hips and spine to compensate for pronated or supinated feet and arches.

We have partnered with a vendor who we consider to provide state of the art custom made orthotics.

What separates these orthotics from other foot support is the superior analysis of the feet mechanics while it is motion, and in gravity bearing weight . How the arches of the foot maintain their integrity dictates whether the knees, hips and spine need to twist or compensate for fallen arches. we also measure patient gait scan, again quantifying how the foot operates in gravity. As the patient strides , stepping on the gait scan pressure plate, 4096 tiny sensors scan the foot, measuring the relative load and pressure of each area of the foot. This analysis of foot pressure is graphed in a 3-D manner showing how each foot compares to normal as well as any differences between the feet individually.