Hackensack, New Jersey

Bergen County residents suffering from back pain, hip pain or problems in their arms, legs, hands or feet due to personal injuries, sports-related injuries, chronic conditions or auto related injuries can now receive care from a Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner (CCEP). Dr. Angel Carrion of Advanced Health Center, PC has successfully completed the seven modules of advanced study required for CCEP certification, indicating his mastery of the highest levels of chiropractic knowledge in the treatment of conditions affecting the extremities. The Hackensack chiropractor, also a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP), intends to apply this enhanced knowledge to enhance his treatment of back and neck pain, joint problems and muscular ailments.

"As a Doctor of Chiropractic, of course I already had a sound knowledge of the nature and treatment of the extremities," says Dr. Carrion. "I carry a lot of first-hand knowledge of physical biomechanics and sports injuries from my own athletic pursuits. But the CCEP program takes everything to a higher level. The seven modules a chiropractor has to master in this program represent the most advanced protocols available for evaluating and treating the extremities."

The seven modules that comprise the CCEP program cover a variety of advanced techniques including: Assessment of the extremities; Adjustment of upper and lower extremities; Gait and orthotic issues involving the feet; Rehabilitation techniques; Soft tissue treatment; and Adjustment of ribs, shoulder joints and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

Chiropractors who enroll in the CCEP program must pass each of the seven modules and the corresponding written examinations before they are allowed to take the practical examination. Upon successful completion of the practical examination, they are awarded CCEP certification. The CCEP program is offered through the Council on Extremity Adjusting (CEA). The course extends over seven weekends for a total of 105 hours of advanced training and education.

"It is a very demanding program, and rightly so," notes Dr. Carrion. "The whole reason we go through all the modules and examinations is so our patients can know for a fact that we offer the highest level of professional expertise in evaluating and treating their personal injuries, sports injuries, chronic conditions, or auto accident related injuries. Relatively few chiropractors, 6 in New Jersey and 2 in Bergen County, including myself, achieve this level of expertise."

Dr. Carrion gives an example of the benefits of the CCEP certification and how he has been able to utilize this advanced training in a clinical setting:

"I received a call from an athletic trainer treating a Division 1 Soccer player who was unable to play and practice for about 3 weeks due to a hamstring injury of his non- kicking leg.  I examined the athlete utilizing the CCEP protocols and diagnosed him with a hamstring injury, a groin pull and posterior shin splints of the same leg. This instability created a situation where the athlete would over stretch/pull his muscles, tendons and ligaments every time he attempted to kick, run or perform a soccer move.  Typical treatments would consist of evaluating the associated joints for gross dysfunction and evaluation of the associated soft tissue (muscles, tendons and ligaments) structures."

In addition to the standard evaluations and treatments, Dr. Carrion is able to evaluate the neurological as well as the mechanical components of the injury.  With this information he can take a weak muscle that is associated with the injury, adjust the associated joint/extremity to re-establish the neurological component.  This adjustment prepares the body for optimum/accelerated healing.   In this case, working together with the athletic trainer, Dr. Carrion is able to get the athlete back on the practice field in 2 days at about 50 % capacity. 

Dr. Carrion points out in personal injuries, sports related injuries, chronic conditions or auto related injuries an extremity can influence the health of the rest of the body: "Even a slight gait problem from uneven leg length or a foot condition, for example, can cause serious ankle pain, hip pain and back pain. A spinal misalignment can cause back and neck pain and other problems in the extremities, such as the leg, hip pain and sciatica. Fortunately, spinal decompression combined with specific spinal and extremity adjustments can treat these issues."

Advanced Health Center accepts questions and appointments by phone or through the website at: http://www.hackensackwellnesscenter.com.