CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractors use many different types of therapies besides spinal manipulation (spinal adjustment) to treat neck and back pain. Like other types of spine specialists, doctors of chiropractic (DC) perform a thorough physical and neurological evaluation of the patient to diagnose the cause of spine-related pain. Diagnosis of the spinal disorder is essential to the patient’s chiropractic treatment plan. Common treatments chiropractors recommend include therapeutic exercise and stretching, spinal traction, manual soft tissue therapy, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound, diet and nutritional counseling, and lifestyle modification.

Therapeutic Exercise
Chiropractors commonly prescribe specific strengthening exercises for their patients with back, neck, and extremity problems. These exercises can help decrease pain, prevent muscle deterioration, promote joint health, increase strength, stability and range of motion, and protect against new or recurring injuries.

Your chiropractor will show you how to perform the exercises and supervise you until you are comfortable doing them on your own. It’s important to keep up with your exercises as prescribed (similarly to drug prescriptions). Studies show that individuals who follow their exercise instructions heal faster than those who do not.

Therapeutic Stretches
Following an injury, therapeutic stretching is an important way to prevent scar tissue from forming. Even after the spinal injury has healed, maintaining a regular stretching program helps keep tissues flexible, increases mobility, and protects you from new injuries. As with exercise, your chiropractor will instruct you on proper stretching techniques and will supervise you until you are comfortable enough to do them on your own.

.