What is Chiropractic Rehabilitation and Why is it Important?

Mobility is important, especially when it comes to maintaining your health or recovering from an injury.

Therefore, in addition to the treatments and/or medications provided by a doctor, patients often see a chiropractor for rehabilitation.

The term “chiropractic” refers to an alternative form of medicine that concentrates on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system (with a focus on the spine).

Although they are not officially considered medical doctors, the experienced staff at Top Wasilla Chiropractor, for example, have seen significant positive results in the injured patients who have participated in regular chiropractic rehab.

Proven to shorten recovery time and decrease the likelihood of further injury, chiropractic rehabilitation typically involves non-surgical treatments such as stretching, massage, alignments and guided exercises (or movements) at varying intensity levels.

The type of procedure initiated will depend heavily on several factors, including but not always limited to the following:

• Any existing injuries or medical conditions
• The cause of your discomfort
• Your degree of pain
• Your willingness to partake in recovery

Highly regarded for its swift pain management benefits, chiropractic care is good for more than simply masking your agony.

In many cases, chiropractic rehabilitation techniques can be incorporated into other activities such as watching TV, working on the computer, talking on the phone or listening to music.

In fact, not all patients need to visit a chiropractor’s office for every treatment, especially if that patient is given at-home instructions (which is quite common).

There are numerous reasons why chiropractic rehab is beneficial.

Aside from being able to effectively treat mechanical disorders that originate from injury, chiropractic care can also address musculoskeletal issues that have developed over time.

Such conditions usually require a diagnosis, plus the types of strengthening and muscle retraining exercises that are commonly used during most routine chiropractic rehab sessions.

Treatments can reduce pain, improve mobility and increase range of motion at the very least.

However, as opposed to new injuries that are often quick fixes, old injuries may require several rehab sessions to reverse.

Sticking with your chiropractor’s proposed treatment plan is the best way to achieve optimal results.

Standard chiropractic rehabilitation involves several exercises that get prescribed to the patient by the chiropractor.

While each session is tailored to the needs of the patient, most legitimate chiropractors use a combination of the following tools and manual techniques:

• Nutrition
• Strength training (weight lifting)
• Massage
• Foam rolling
• Stretching
• Education
• Referrals to other healthcare professionals

These non-invasive, conservative procedures performed by skilled hands and often include manipulation and/or mobilization of soft tissues and joints to accomplish substantial pain relief and increased range of motion.

Even the best chiropractor can only do so much to make you feel better.

When all is said and done, you are the only one in control of your recovery, health and comfort.

To get the best results from chiropractic rehabilitation, keep the following points in mind:

• Listen to your body; it will tell you if something’s not right.

• Heed the advice of your chiropractor. While he/she may not be a medical doctor, several years of intense training were still required.
• Consistent treatments are required to fix most musculoskeletal issues, especially those that are chronic or pre-existing.
• You can request a modification of your rehabilitation treatment plan at any time by simply asking.

Dr. Brent Wells is a graduate of the University of Nevada, where he earned his bachelor of science degree before moving on to complete his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College. He founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in Alaska in 1998.