Chiropractic Treatments and Myofascial Release
Q. When should I consider chiropractic care?
A. There are many reasons to seek chiropractic care. Work, accidents, sports injuries, household chores, even the stress of daily living can cause joint and spinal problems. Even if you do not have painful symptoms, chiropractic care can help you maintain a healthy spine and body. Our bodies tend to “cover up” and accommodate for minor injuries and dysfunction. A chiropractor can uncover these quickly and remove interferences to optimal health. Your chiropractor will also point out how you could be preventing these daily “insults” and promote a well functioning nervous system.
Dr. Gerber is often heard saying, “if you have a spine, you should see a chiropractor!”. Her patients tell her “I didn’t know that it was restricted until it was moving again” and “ I didn’t know I could live without that chronic discomfort, it’s been there for such a long time – I thought I’d have to live with it forever”.
Our bodies have a remarkable way of coping with loss of motion, minor aches and pains, recurring headaches, and postural alterations. This is a situation of sub-optimal health that can be remedied by a course of chiropractic care, advice and minor changes in how we do things. Consider an examination today!
Q. What is an Adjustment?
A. Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick and gentle thrust, at a specific location of the spine. This helps correct spinal joints and tissues that aren’t moving properly. There are many ways to adjust the spine and your chiropractor will discuss treatment choices and describe the process thoroughly before your first adjustment. Sometimes even more gentle mobilizations can be used in combination with soft tissue therapy to relieve your condition.
Q. Why is myofascial release used?
A. Myofascial release techniques are used to allow for free and unimpeded movement of muscles, tendons, nerves and joints, to allow for a dramatic change in comfort, flexibility and strength. This type of soft tissue work is used to enhance and optimize your performance, improve your form and function and allow for a speedy recovery from pain.
Q. What is a myofascial release treatment like?
A. Every session is a combination of examination and treatment. The provider uses her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, joints, ligaments and nerves. Combining precisely directed tissue depth and tension with very specific patient movements treats abnormal tissue. The over 500 specific treatment protocols are unique to ART® and allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each patient.
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Q. What is it like to be adjusted?
A. Chiropractic adjustments are highly skilled, gentle manipulations of your spine or limb joints. Our practice members feel well informed, comfortable and relaxed while being adjusted. The vast majority of patients experience immediate relief at the removal of subluxations and the correction of proper body mechanics through the adjustment. Each patient is adjusted in a very specific way depending on his or her health presentation, age, flexibility, and consent. “Diversified techniques” are used to accomplish the best outcome for each individual in Dr. Gerber’s practice.
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Q. What makes the sound during the Adjustment?
A. Curios about what makes the sound of an adjustment?? Lubricating fluid bathes the joint surfaces between two bones. When the joint motion is corrected, a gas bubble is released in the fluid, sometimes making a popping sound– it’s exactly the same as when you “crack” your knuckles. The sound, called a cavitation, has no impact on the quality or value of the adjustment, and should be seen more as an indicator of motion having occurred.
Q. How is a chiropractic adjustment performed?
A. Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during four intensive years of chiropractic education after 4 years of post-graduate study. The chiropractor typically uses his/her hands to move the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to reduce pain, and restore or enhance joint function. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient.
Q. Are there different types of chiropractic care?
A. Just as there are different reasons for visiting a chiropractor, there are different types of care. Some patients simply want relief from pain. Others want to stay well and promote optimal health. Chiropractors are certainly not just for back pain!
Relief or emergency care is provided for acute pain or discomfort in any part of the muscular, skeletal or nervous system. More frequent visits over a relatively short period of time may be required.
Corrective care treats problems of a more chronic nature. Muscle imbalance, ergonomic involvement, and postural strain require investigation and management. Because these issues have existed for some time they may require a longer period of care, similar to braces slowly improving crooked teeth.
Wellness or Maintenance care allows you to keep working with your chiropractor with periodic adjustments and health advice to keep you as healthy as possible. This higher level of care is preventive in that your subluxations and imbalances are detected and removed even before symptoms have a chance to develop.
Although chiropractors use their hands for most treatments, they also use other methods such as cold, electrotherapy, laser therapy, personalized exercise rehab programs, and muscle testing and balancing. Your chiropractor can also give you information and guidance on how you can stay healthy through proper nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes.
Q. How many adjustments will I need?
A. Each patient’s spine and care plan is unique. There are 24 moving bones in the spine, and chiropractors see a wide variety of faulty movement patterns. Each treatment plan is custom-tailored for his or her age, diagnosis, condition and health goals. The number of adjustments varies with each patient, depending on these factors also. Visits become less frequent as your spine stabilizes and aggravating factors are addressed. Patients also play an integral role in their healing by following nutritional and ergonomic advice, doing stretching and strengthening exercises and avoiding stress.
Q. What should I expect on my initial visit?
A. You will be asked to fill out a patient entrance form which will help your chiropractor to obtain important information on your health history, medical and chiropractic experiences, current health status and lifestyle. A thorough examination including posture, gait analysis, orthopaedic and neurological testing, and spinal range of motion assessment will be performed. X-ray pictures of your spine may be required also. A report of findings explaining your diagnosis and causative factors will be presented and you will be encouraged to ask questions. Before treatment begins, you will be asked for your informed consent after the doctor describes treatment options, benefits, risks and other relevant findings.
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Q. What results can I expect from treatment?
A. That depends on your condition. The length of time you have had the problem, your age and the degree of your disability all affect the length of your treatment. Your chiropractic doctor will tell you the frequency of visits recommended, and the duration of the treatment plan. One of the main reasons people choose chiropractic is that they often get quick results. Individual cases vary and chronic conditions may need more treatment. Chiropractors using different modalities (i.e. electrotherapy, laser) and forms of treatment (i.e. ART ®) that can be an asset towards faster recovery. The best results can be expected when patients follow Dr. Gerber’s prescribed treatment plan.
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Ready to invest in your health, book a chiropractic check-up today!