Chiropractic & Acupuncture

My lingering back and neck pain from an automobile accident plus a more recent series of nasty muscle spasms left me in serious need of some medical help. Thankfully some friends referred me to see Dr. Thomas Mang, owner /​operator of the Chiropractic & Acupuncture clinic along Waters Avenue, just half a block east from the intersection of Armenia Avenue.
I scheduled my first appointment with Dr. Mang, and went through the usual medical forms and discussions about my injuries. He checked my flexibility and range of motion, and then prescribed a course of treatments to focus on my problem areas.
My typical visit starts with a 15-​minute session in «The Chair», which is an electric, pneumatic leather massage chair that tips you back to a zero-​gravity position. You slide your arms and legs into sleeves, and then the chair begins squeezing and thumping up and down your back, from your neck down to your feet, and back up again.
Next is the water-​pressure lounger /​massager for another 15-​miinute session. In this case you lie back on a lounger while jets of water sweep back and forth over your body. Both of these sessions are incredibly soothing.
After that you might receive a traditional massage from one of his highly-​skilled technicians, or some electro-​stimulation therapy whereby little patches are connected to various spots on your neck and back. Pulses of electricity tighten, then loosen your muscles while you lie there.
Next for me is some type of acupuncture therapy which was a very new experience. Dr. Mang used traditional Chinese acupuncture to stimulate various lymph nodes and relieve some tension. Even though this type of therapy was something new, the results were amazing and long-​lasting. As my treatments progressed he moved me from the usual acupuncture needles to a cold laser therapy with even better results.
Finally, my favorite part of the session were the chiropractic adjustments. Dr. Mang was able to twist and turn my torso till I literally pop-​pop-​popped like a roll of bubble wrap. His final therapeutic adjustment was on my neck. I would lie down on his table while he cradled my head in his hands. He turns my head to the side, does a little tap-​tap along my neck, and then pop-​pop-​crack. Truly an amazing feeling from a very talented doctor.
Dr. Mang has several different offices located in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, but this office on Waters Avenue has Sunday office hours by appointment. The net result of these visits is that my pain has gone away, I’m no longer popping Aleve, and I have much more flexibility in my neck and back. That’s a major win-​win-​win for me!