Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy is the often recommended form of rehabilitation suggested by the traditional medical community. This generally involves some form of exercise or repetitive motions designed to strengthen muscles and improve range of motion. There is absolutely no question that Physical Therapy has its place in the rehabilitative plan for injured patients, especially following surgical procedures and long periods of inactivity. However, simply strengthening the muscles or increasing range of motion to an area with a disregard to the position of the structural components of the area being addressed can sometimes be more problematic than helpful. If the bones of an area are misaligned or out of place, Physical Therapy may inappropriately exercise and strengthen a malfunctioning joint. Additionally, simply strengthening the muscles around those malfunctioning joints rarely corrects those joint misalignments. Plus, the additional wear and tear to the area can actually make the problem worse in time. Chiropractic treatment evaluates the structure of spinal joints and works to restore proper function to the area being treated. When the joint is working properly, pain, tension, and irritation will generally decrease significantly. If the structure of the joint is not addressed during the rehabilitation process, true restoration cannot be achieved. Additionally, other forms of more passive therapy may be necessary, such as intersegmental traction, electro-muscle stimulation, ultrasound, and other devices. These valuable therapeutic modalities may be warranted before a strength training program is prescribed. Ask if these forms of treatment are appropriate for your particular health problem.