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Chiropractic

What Can I Expect During a Treatment?

During the first visit, the chiropractor uses standard examination procedures to diagnose the patient’s condition and recommend a course of treatments. The examination will include a detailed discussion on health history, on any symptoms the patient is experiencing, physical activities engaged in, any medical treatments currently underway, and any medications being taken. Often take a full set of x-rays is taken as well as a physical examination of the body performed. Particular attention is paid to the spine, spinal misalignments, and to signs of muscle tension or signs of spasms throughout the body.

The x-rays and physical examination will assist in diagnosis and help determine any musculoskeletal abnormalities and the cause of restricted movement. Based on the results, a treatment plan will be developed. 

Treatments involve physical manipulation or “adjustments” in the body.  These adjustments are performed on Chiropractic table (or chair) with an opening for the face when the patient lies face down. Some tables allow the height to be adjusted. Flexion/distraction tables allow for greater range of motion in various parts of the table.

There are many techniques a chiropractor will use to perform these adjustments.  Many involve applying sudden force to an area of the spine to correct a subluxationtesttest, or to a joint to increase its range of motion:

1. The best known technique is the "high velocity thrust," a short, sharp motion usually applied to the spine. This maneuver is designed to release parts of the body that are experiencing restricted range of motion. High velocity thrusts often produce a "cracking" as the joints are adjusted (such as the back or neck crack).  There are various methods of delivering a high velocity thrust. These range from pushing on the vertebrae with the hands, or using the limbs to make levered thrusts.   

2. Chiropractors may use soft tissue techniques to increase a joint's range of movement or relieve muscular spasm.

3. Other techniques include applying a gentle, prolonged pull to the leg while slowly rotating it in the hip joint. If a restriction is detected, however slight, the leg is held at the point of restriction until a release of muscle tension occurs.

Manipulation of the lower back is normally done while the patient is lying on their side, with the manipulation of the mid and upper back done while the patient lies face down.  For neck and cervicaltesttest manipulation, the patient either lies on their back or sits up straight.

The treatments do not hurt, however if the patient is already in substantial pain, a treatment may initially feel like the pain has been exacerbated.

A treatment plan usually involves three phases:

Acute Care Phase:  This phase aims to correct misalignments of the spine and reduce pain

Restorative Phase:  Once the spine has been properly aligned, follow-up examinations and minor adjustments take place to ensure the spine remains aligned and no longer “slips out of place.”  As the body adjusts to the chiropractic treatments and areas of the body are realigned, they have a tendency to slip back out of place.  As the treatment sessions continue, the body begins to “remember” and “hold” the newly adjusted position.

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