Sports Medicine: Learning About Chiropractic
Some times after a serious injury and/or in the presence of back, neck on other related types of pain, some patients get afraid before consulting an orthopedic doctor. Immediately they think about surgery and needles. Then, they talk to a friend or relative who tells them to go to a chiropractor to solve the problem without leaving the room. The truth is that every case is different and may or not be treated by one. If you are researching for a chiropractor before consulting an orthopedic doctor, it is imperative for you to learn more about the profession and its limitations so you can make the best decision. The reality is not like the one we see when Mr. Burns goes to his.
Chiropractic is a natural healing system that treats the whole person, rather than just the particular symptoms of a disorder. In chiropractic, a licensed practitioner corrects structural imbalances of the body, called subluxations, with adjustments and manipulations of the spine and articulations, through prescription of various exercises and the employment of various therapeutic modalities.
Subluxation refers to improper biomechanical motion between two vertebrae, which produces irritation of a spinal nerve, leading to back and neck pain, muscle spam, and potential for further injury. Tight muscles, incorrect training techniques, scoliosis, poor posture, high hip or shoulder, or misaligned spine can all predispose a person to a subluxation.
By restoring proper alignment to the spinal column and the joints, the doctor of chiropractic can help the athlete operate at optimum biomechanics efficiency. Chiropractic care can help the athlete to strengthen the muscles, improve coordination and balance, extend range of motion, restore proper biomechanics function, achieve greater mental focus and have more energy.
One valuable healing aid which chiropractic emphasizes is time. Letting the body heal itself after the structural imbalances have been corrected. Many chiropractors take seriously their responsibility as educators by explaining to patients what they can do to enhance their own rehabilitation process and how time will affect it.
A good sports medicine chiropractor should explain how to modify training techniques to prevent future injuries. For example, a runner might need to change his or her stride length, shoes, running surface, training schedule, or stretching and strength routines.
There are many types of chiropractors and they employ a wide variety of techniques. A group tend to use always the same general spine manipulations on each patient, without spending enough time evaluating each individual”s case or educating patients on rehabilitation and preventive programs.
At the other end of the spectrum are those who spend time figuring out the proper corrections for each case, employ manipulative or therapeutic techniques specific to each individual misalignment, and take time to explain rehabilitation, prevention and training improvements to the patient.
Biomechanical aspects of treatment include testing for muscle strength and flexibility, gait analysis, and correction of weight training techniques, as well as evaluation for skeletal alignment. As adjuncts to the manipulations, many chiropractors use physical therapy modalities, including ultrasound, diathermy, ice, heat and electrical muscle stimulation.
A typical sports chiropractic treatment program consists of two or three visistis a week of 15 to 30 minutes each. The patient sits or lies on a treatment table and the practitioner makes biomechanics evaluations using a variety of techniques, including applied kinesiology. Some chiropractors employ computer analysis of posture, gait or nutrition to aid them in their evaluation, diagnosis and treatment procedures.
Orthopedic Corner | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201 Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119