WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
Chiropractors are medical professionals who typically have an undergraduate degree plus an additional four years of Chiropractic College. Chiropractors use hands-on types of therapeutic treatments such as spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments. The basis in theory of chiropractic care is that proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, will assist and enable the body to heal itself without more serious surgeries or medication. Spinal manipulation is used to restore mobility to joints and tissue injuries caused by a traumatic event, such as accidents or falls. Chiropractic care is primarily used as a pain relief alternative for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue, such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
Chiropractic care may also include instruction in nutrition, lifestyle modification and other holistic methods of care and daily activities. Chiropractic care involves not only passive (therapy done to the injured person) but active therapies which require the injured person to be involved in their recovery process. The goal of both passive and active therapy is to alleviate pain and assist in a long-term stabilization regimen, allowing the patient to experience stability in their physical condition.
Is this chiropractor right for me? (This is the million dollar question, well maybe not a million dollars, but you get the point.)
1. ASK QUESTIONS
When choosing chiropractor it is recommended that you ask the following details:
Licensing in your state
Education background
Experience and training
Opinions toward your type of accident injuries and other medical care you may be seeking
Recommendations for your treatment plan
2. YOUR BODY, YOUR CHOICE
It is important to remember that this is your body and your medical care, you are the one who must decide what works for you and what does not. There may be persons in your life who do not understand chiropractic care, or others who just don’t like it, they are welcome to their opinions, however, you are the one who must live with your decision. Make it wisely, and choose what will work for you.
3. SEEK ACTIVE AND PASSIVE CARE
Chiropractic care requires your active involvement in your own care. Unlike a pill or surgery, which give you a possible pain reduction, chiropractic is designed to strengthen and build your body’s tissue back in a way that will alleviate pain and suffering in a more permanent way. There are many chiropractic modalities that feel good and require little effort on your part. But it is recommended that you seek out a chiropractor who not only uses passive modalities, but requires you to become a participant in your recovery. You will be trained in specific techniques to aid your healing process and make you future physical self stronger and better for the instructions.
4. CHIROPRACTIC AS A PIECE OF THE MEDICAL PLAN
Your chiropractor should make you confident in your recovery. Not all injuries are treatable within his scope of care and your chiropractor should understand the totality of your medical situation, a chiropractor should make the appropriate medical referrals for such medical issues. It is important that your chiropractor have relationships with other medical professionals so that these professionals you are referred to may understand the type of care you are receiving.
5. HELPFUL OFFICE STAFF
The chiropractic staff should be knowledgeable and courteous. You will want to be involved in an office that takes your recovery seriously and not make you feel like a number. Chiropractic care is successful for so many because of the personal attention it is designed to give, particularly for those involved in falls and automobile accidents. The right staff will understand what you are going through and it is their job to aid in the recovery process.
Your chiropractor will outline a course of action that they would recommend based on how your physical and mental condition presents to them. The doctor should be able to discuss with you the types of modalities, frequency of treatment and other important details that they feel will aid in your recovery from your personal injuries.
When you ask the right questions and receive the appropriate care from a qualified chiropractor, your recovery has a better chance of being more expedient and permanent. It is important in your recovery that you take serious what you are taught, you may find that there is good that can from a bad accident when you meet a medical professional who will help you, not only in the acute recovery, but in ways that make the remainder of your life better.