Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that focuses on disorders and dysfunction of our musculoskeletal and nervous systems, and their effects on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat muscle, ligament and joint complaints, aka ‘moving parts’. Traditionally, chiropractic care is well known for resolving symptoms including back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs (including sciatic pain), and headaches. In a specialty office like Washington Park Chiropractic, the list of symptoms treated by chiropractic care is much longer. 
 

When to see a Chiropractor

You will often hear our chiropractors say, “If it hurts when you move it, it is likely a chiropractic problem”. The same can be said if the pain is on the outside of your body. These are general rules of thumb when deciding if a chiropractor is the right solution for your pain or injury. When you have pain or injury relating to your neck, back, or other joints of your body we recommend that you seek our expert opinion first.
 

Joint Dysfunction

Chiropractors solve your mechanical joint issues from the inside out. Meaning, that most pain involving the musculoskeletal system starts with the joints of the spine. These very small joints can often become fixed/stuck/or otherwise temporarily imobile. Joint dysfunction is caused by trauma, repetitive strain, and even stress. The result of a joint fixation is limited movement. A good visual representation is that of waking up with a ‘kink’ in your neck, or inability to rotate one way or look down without pain. Another common obvious joint fixation is that of a ‘rib-out’, represented by acute pain behind the shoulder blade and often described as a ‘knot’. Joint dysfunction cannot be solved with heat, ice, medication, or stretching. Joint dysfunctions can be solved fairly easily by well-trained chiropractors. 
 

Adjustments Defined

Our doctors are experts in diagnosis and manual manipulation. They have extensive training in the specific and highly efficient adjustments that produce results quickly. All treatments are tailored to each patient, however most patients will benefit from traditional, Palmer-style, chiropractic adjustments. Manual adjustments can be further defined as a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust (HVLA), which means a very quick impulse, delivered to a highly-targeted joint complex which moves a very small distance. HVLA adjustments are very safe, and very efficient when indicated. 

 

Solving your Pain

Elite chiropractors with specialized training in sports, prenatal, and pediatrics are able to diagnose and solve conditions beyond neck and back pain. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, low risk, highly effective, and efficient treatment for a variety of ailments including:

• Back & Neck Pain

• Headaches

• Arm & Leg Pain

• Posture

• Scoliosis

• Sports Injuries

• Sports Performance Care / Mobility

• Auto Accident Care

• Pregnancy / Prenatal Care

• Growing Pains/Pediatrics

• Birth trauma in infants

• Wellness Care

• Pediatric Care

• TMJ/Jaw Pain

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Tennis Elbow / Tendonitis

• Knee Pain

• Shoulder / Rotator Cuff Pain

• Disc Herniations / Bulges
   

Chiropractic Education

Chiropractors hold a four year post-graduate doctorate degree and are board certified and licensed by the state to diagnose, manage, and treat hundreds of conditions. In forming a diagnosis, chiropractors perform a thorough history, physical exam, and are licensed to order tests including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and lab tests, and others. Treatment approaches vary; however, chiropractors are licensed to perform spinal manipulation, physical therapy modalities, soft tissue treatment, prescribe rehabilitation and exercises, and counsel on nutrition and body biomechanics, etc. Chiropractors are not licensed to prescribe medications or perform surgical procedures.
 

Chiropractic Treatments / Prognosis

One of the most often asked questions, how many times will I need to be adjusted or see my chiropractor? The answer varies, but here are some good rules of thumb:

• New or recent injury, low force/impact: 4-6 visits

• Injury that has been lingering for 2-3 months or is getting worse: 6-10 visits

• Chronic injury 6 months or more, getting worse or re-injury: 10+ visits

• Wellness/Performance care: 1-2x/month

 

The timeline for healing varies by individual and by injury. The typical timeline for an injury with inflammation to stabilize is 4 weeks. Our timelines are always built upon the body’s healing timeline including repair and remodeling phases. Receiving treatment during the remodeling phase ensures that the injury will heal with the maximum amount of stability and minimal chance for recurrence. A few things that help our patients heal faster:

• A patient is likely to heal faster if they present for treatment as soon as a symptom appears.

• A patient is likely to heal faster if they convey symptoms and mechanism of injury as factually as possible.

• A patient is likely to heal faster if they follow specific, home-care instructions during their treatment plan.

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You can purchase a 6-pack of adjustments HERE

 

Chiropractic Wellness Care

It is hard to overstate the value of routine, maintenance care for your body. Joint mobility, muscle and ligament tone, inflammation, immune system health and nerve function are all profoundly affected by regular attention from a chiropractor. That is why our team is stacked with the best. Any of our doctors can recommend a regular, collaborative approach for you, depending on your history, goals, and preferences. Our typical recommendation is to schedule an adjustment monthly! Our more competitive athletes and physical laborers may prefer adjustments every 1-3 weeks.