Chiropractic Services Beyond Adjustments

The focus on spinal adjustment is what makes doctors of chiropractic unique in their approach to treating patients.  The chiropractic adjustment, however, is not the only procedure a chiropractor may use in managing a patients care.

• Heat and cold - Chiropractors may alternate between heat and ice therapy to help patients treat back pain.  Ice packs may be used for a 10-15 minute period and then switched with a heating pad to restore blood flow to the area and promote faster healing.
• Exercise - Chiropractors may provide patients with instructions for an exercise program focusing on stretching and strengthening the back.
• Massage - Chiropractors may massage the soft tissues to improve circulation, reduce swelling and inflammation, and encourage quicker healing.
• Dietary management - Many chiropractors will provide patients with tips on how an improved diet may help with back pain and may recommend supplements after spinal manipulation.
• Ultrasound - With ultrasound, sound waves create deep heat therapy that is applied to the soft tissues and joints.  Basically micro-massaging the soft tissues and joints, ultrasound therapy can help reduce pain, stiffness, and spasms. It can also increase blood flow and accelerate the healing process.
• Electrical muscle stimulation - During this therapy, electrodes are placed on the skin and send light electrical pulses to different areas of the body with the purpose of reducing inflammation, curtailing muscle spasms, and relieving pain.
• Traction - A chiropractic traction massage may include the patient lying face up as a system of rollers move about the back, all the while stretching and massaging the muscles in the back.
• Cold laser therapy - With cold laser therapy, particles of energy are carried in a laser and absorbed by the cell membrane's photo receptors after penetrating the skin surface.  The cells and tissues then convert this light energy into biochemical energy, fueling a biological process that is believed to decrease swelling, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve circulation.
• Pelvic stabilization - When leg-length deficiency, flat feet and/or subtalar instability are present, the chiropractor may place a small heel lift in the shoe on the short leg side and/or prescribe corrective arch supports to stabilize the pelvis.

So if your chiropractor recommends a service beyond an adjustment, you can rest assured that the service is meant to reduce your pain and speed your healing.

Content provided by Spine-health.com