Understanding exactly what to expect from a visit to the chiropractor is important, because of the variety of practice styles seen in Burlington and across Canada.
The provincial associations that govern chiropractors outline the standards that guide how chiropractors should practice based on their chiropractic expertise and education. Enforcing best practices is difficult, particularly since the profession has been growing so quickly in the previous two decades.
The unfortunate reality is that not every chiropractor stays up-to-date with the present research pertinent to their area.
For the rest of the conversation, I’ll focus on what to expect from a visit to your chiropractor which runs an evidence-informed clinic.
From the treatment standpoint, the notion of understanding what to expect from a trip breaks down. The reason for this is that each patient and the complaint they present with differs. Here is clear and detailed chiropractic care you should know.
The treatment methods used should change, and may include:
- Passive Therapies
- Joint manipulation or mobilization
- Soft tissue techniques (Active Release Technique, massage therapy, Graston, Smart Tools, etc.)
- Therapeutic modalities (ultrasound, electrical modalities, class 4 laser treatment, etc.), medical acupuncture
- Active Therapies
- Rehabilitation practice (aka exercise medication)
- Work hardening
- Exercise
Are You a Bad Experience with a Chiropractor?
You may be reading this and think to yourself “wait a minute, I’ve been to a chiropractor before and they all did was crack my spine”. The simple truth is that there are numerous chiropractors out there who resort to some “less detailed” type of practice.
Let me state that there are clinical scenarios where spinal manipulative
Therapy (aka “modification”…. .aka “crack”) fast and efficiently resolves the issue. Learning about physiotherapy Burlington? Find out more here.
However, even in those circumstances, there are several other things that a chiropractor may (and should) do to you that are in your very best interest.
Perhaps the chiropractor can prescribe therapeutic exercise that will allow you to prevent or self-manage this ailment later on?
Perhaps there are modifiable lifestyle or occupational factors that predispose you to this particular condition which you may want to learn about?
Maybe the self-management strategies that you are currently using are actually, making things worse?
Or, perhaps that chronic hip problem you’re neglecting all these years is actually contributing to your recurrent bouts of low-back pain and needs to be addressed also.
My Ideas for Finding a Good Chiropractor
The unfortunate reality is that just like in almost any healthcare profession, you will find clinicians that are good, and a few who are not as great.
Do you know someone who can recommend a chiropractor at Burlington?
Does the chiropractor have an online biography that you can see to educate yourself on their approach to neuromusculoskeletal (NMSK) healthcare?
Was the chiropractor comprehensive and thorough during your initial visit?
And of course, do not be afraid to inquire the chiropractor about any questions you might have, whatever they may be. Don’t wait!
As a suggestion, I suggest looking for practitioners that take some opportunity to respond to your questions and are comprehensive in their approach. Furthermore, a thought-out strategy of care ought to be discussed and attainable goals summarized.
The NMSK system is our “movement system” and it entails muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Most of the time NMSK accidents have more than 1 component that needs to be dealt with.
The professional should be able to communicate exactly where they suspect the harm to be, whether other cells may be affected as a consequence of the injury, and a planned strategy to address each of these problems.
They Ought to Prescribe Exercise
I can’t emphasize how key exercise is if we are talking about pain in the “movement system”.
A treatment plan after an MSK accident that doesn’t consist of therapeutic exercise would be the equivalent of a rehabilitation program after a heart attack that doesn’t consist of cardiovascular exercise! Two years ago this might have been acceptable. However, according to the knowledge we have today, this wouldn’t make any sense!
When I was made to use only ONE curative modality on all my prospective patients, it would be exercise….hands down!
Putting perfect movement and tissue resilience after an accident is critical in healing, and injury prevention. This can only be carried out with the use of a particular exercise that creates adaptation in the cells and trains motion. Emphasis on the perfect exercise program is crucial and shouldn’t be dismissed.
