THE CLINIC

Center for Chiropractic Medicine, Ltd. was established in October 2003 with the purpose of
providing quality healthcare and educating its patients on how to live a preventative, healthy lifestyle.

WHAT DOES A CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN DO?
A chiropractic physician uses various tools other than prescription medications and surgery to help treat several ailments of the human body. In order for you to achieve your health goals, Center for Chiropractic Medicine utilizes:

- Chiropractic manipulation
- Physiotherapy modalities
- Muscle therapy
- Nutritional counseling
- Rehabilitative exercises
- Acupuncture
- Functional laboratory testing

WHAT IS A CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT OR MANIPULATION?
Many people refer to a manipulation as “cracking the neck or back.” Although it is not uncommon to hear an audible sound when a manipulation is performed (called a cavitation), bones are not being “cracked or broken.” Various joints in the body contain a capsule (imagine a tiny balloon). When a manipulation is performed, there is a change in pressure within that capsule creating a vacuum effect. This results in the “popping” sound. The chiropractic manipulation helps the joints to function the way they are designed, aids in relaxation of the muscles, and stimulates the nervous system.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP?
Contrary to popular belief, Chiropractic physicians see patients with more than just back pain. Here is an example of some other conditions we have been able to help:

- Headaches
- Neck pain/stiffness
- Arthritis
- Numbness/tingling
- Shoulder, arm & hand problems
- Hip, knee & ankle problems
- Dizziness
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- TMJ syndrome
- Fibromyalgia

Chiropractic physicians have experience treating several conditions. After a complete history and physical, the physician will design a treatment plan specifically for you. As with anything, there is no magic bullet “cure.” If the physician sees that you are not progressing with therapy as expected, a referral may be made to other health care practioners or for diagnostic testing.

HOW IS THE CENTER FOR CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE DIFFERENT?

In addition to chiropractic care, the Center for Chiropractic Medicine offers functional medicine laboratory testing and acupuncture. Have you ever been told, “All the tests are normal. There is nothing wrong with you.”? This can be very frustrating because you know that you don’t feel “right” but your doctor is telling you that you are fine. This is where functional medicine laboratory testing is valuable. It allows the physician and patient to dig deeper past the standard blood tests and uncover what may be causing the patient’s symptoms. These tests allow us to analyze saliva, urine, stool samples, and/or blood to test hormone levels, elemental toxicity, absorption of nutrients, food allergies.

These tests have enabled physicians to help patients:

- Control PMS & menopausal symptoms without synthetic hormone replacement.
- Decrease problems with indigestion, constipation
- Decrease feelings of fatigue and gain energy
- Manage weight changes
- Improve activities of daily living in chronic pain syndromes

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
- Men
- Women
- Senior citizens
- Teenagers
- Children
- Infants
- Pregnant women
- Athletes
- Acute & Chronic conditions
- People just like you!!

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Optimal health in women depends a great deal on healthy hormonal function and metabolism. As women we have concerns with:
- PMS
- Hot flashes
- Infertility
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Breast Cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Dysmenorrhea

Just to name a few! Many times we are told as women that we just have to “deal with it.” There are
actually things that can be done to help alleviate these concerns.

Center for Chiropractic Medicine utilizes a functional laboratory that performs Women’s Hormonal Health Assessments in order to provide the physician with a bigger picture of how the hormones are working for that individual female. Three estrogens, progesterone, androgens and other hormones are evaluated. Often times symptoms can be regulated through modifications to the diet and supplementation of vitamins, minerals, and herbs.

Did you know that the average female reaches peak bone mass in their thirties? This mean bone loss can start as early as mid-thirties. Most women do not even start thinking about osteoporosis until they reach menopause. Center for Chiropractic Medicine educates its patients on what can influence the rate of bone loss.

Our office has been able to help women drastically reduce their night sweats and hot flashes by simply recommending certain nutritional supplements.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

One of the focuses at the Center for Chiropractic Medicine is pain management, both in acute and
chronic situations. No one should have to live in pain everyday, and we desire to especially help
those patients who have chronic pain due to arthritis, autoimmune diseases, old injuries.

Pain management may include acupuncture, re-adjusting the diet, designing rehabilitative protocols
and co-managing with other health care professionals. Functional medicine laboratory assessment
may also be utilized to obtain a more complete picture of why there is a chronic situation.

ACUPUNCTURE

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is a health science, and not a form of VOODOO that can treat both pain and dysfunction in the body. Acupuncture is a principle, not a technique. There are many ways to stimulate an Acupoint other than using a needle. Acupuncture can use:
- special needles
- lasers
- electric current
- pressure massage to stimulate different Acupoints on the body. So even if a person is “afraid of needles”, they can receive Acupuncture treatment.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?

1. Modern medicine: Research has shown that the brain releases endorphins and enkephalins with
acupuncture treatments. These are chemicals in our body that help to reduce pain.
2. Oriental medicine: There are 12 meridians in which the body’s energy courses through. In times
of sickness, disease, and/or pain, this energy is not balanced. It gets “stuck” in some places, creating low levels in some regions and high levels in others. By stimulating certain points, this balance can be achieved.

Imagine that your body is tuned into a frequency, much like a radio. If your radio isn’t tuned in exactly, you get static coming out of your speakers. Acupuncture helps to get you “tuned in” to the frequency that is right for your body.

HOW MANY ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS DO I NEED?

Chronic problems generally require more visits than acute ones. Some people notice immediate results; others require more treatments.

The average number of treatments ranges from 6 to12, but the doctor may elect to discontinue treatments if desired results occur sooner.

DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?

Five Acupuncture needles can fit in the shaft of a hypodermic needle, so the needle is much smaller and thinner. Most people compare the initial stick of the Acupuncture needle to a “mosquito bite.” Sensations can range from heaviness to a tingling sensation once the needle is inserted.

HOW LONG DO YOU LEAVE THE NEEDLES IN FOR?

Needles are usually left in the points for 20 minutes. However, the amount of time may vary depending on the condition and the individual.

WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOSE TO HAVE ACUPUNCTURE?

Have you ever been told: “Our tests show that there is nothing wrong” or “I’m sorry there is nothing
else we can do”? Acupuncture can help these types of people. People have reported feeling better
with acupuncture treatments when no other treatment method seemed to work. Acupuncture can
help conditions such as:

- Acute & chronic pain
- Headaches
- Hormonal issue
- Digestive disorders
- Shoulder & knee pain
- Addictions
- Allergies/sinus problems
- Fatigue

DR. MELISA A. ROTHENBERGER

EDUCATION:
- Northeast Missouri State University: Bachelor of Science in Biology
- National University of Health Sciences: Doctor of Chiropractic
- International Academy of Medical Acupuncture: Fellowship
- Continuing education in nutritional aspects of thyroid, adrenal and hormonal conditions

EXPERIENCE:
Prior to opening Center for Chiropractic Medicine, I worked in two clinics. One clinic was an integrated medical clinic which specialized in treating chronic pain syndromes/fibromyalgia
as well as women’s health issues. The other clinic specialized in musculoskeletal conditions.

PERSONAL:
I am not only a Doctor of Chiropractic, but also a patient. I started seeing a Chiropractic Physician
at the age of six because of some allergies that traditional allopathic medicine was unable to help.
Our family Chiropractic Physician was our family doctor. We would visit him if we were sick or injured or needing a sports physical for school. However, if we needed a prescription or other procedure, he would refer us to the appropriate doctor. From a young age, I was instilled with this model of health care, from a conservative, preventative standpoint. I wanted to establish a clinic with this same idea, and serve a community that live in, so I opened my doors in West Dundee in October 2003.

I have a passion for helping people and educating them on making “smart” choices in regard to their
health. I often work with other health care providers to ensure that the patient receive the best care
possible.

DIRECTIONS

Located in West Dundee on Rt. 31 just south of Rt. 72 and Spring Hill Mall.