Chiropractic Care
and
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

Appointment Details

The human body is a complicated but amazing system, and rarely does one component work independently of any others. Even with an injury, the primary area of concern is rarely isolated to one location and requires a complete evaluation to not only manage the acute pain but correct any associated imbalances that are a result of, or are the direct cause of, the primary issue.

Assessment Principles

In conjunction with a detailed history, I perform a physical examination to not only determine a clinical diagnosis but also diagnose which tissues around the areas of concern are not functioning optimally. I use precise palpation coupled with objective alignment markers, manual muscle testing, and range of motion to gain insight on the location of musculoskeletal lesions, neurologic deficits and biomechanical dysfunction. This guides my clinical decision making toward an appropriate plan for treatment and rehabilitation. Diagnostic imaging is also ordered when indicated.

Treatment Principles

Once location(s) of musculoskeletal lesions and/or biomechanical dysfunctions are determined, treatments may include any of the following:

1. Soft tissue therapies to reduce tissue tension and remodel disorganized connective tissue, making it more functional, elastic and resilient.

2. Neuromuscular re-education to restore normal function of nerves and muscles, and improve movement, balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture, and proprioception.

3. Chiropractic joint manipulation to mobilize joints, reduce local joint inflammation, and improve nervous system function.

Rehabilitation Principles

My approach to rehabilitation involves integrating new movement habits into your daily life so that your every move is nourishing to your body and your life. By incorporating the exercises into your daily life you are getting small doses of nourishing movement throughout the day, which ultimately has a longer lasting effect than just spending a few minutes to an hour once a day doing your prescribed exercises. Tissue adaptation without injury occurs with high frequency, low intensity inputs. You are essentially re-shaping your body to move better and be more adaptable to variations in your environment, thus decreasing the incidence and intensity of injury.

My goal is to facilitate a sense of movement autonomy so you feel motivated to continue the work in your daily life. To facilitate change in the body high frequency and low intensity of movements is key! So 1 hour of movement during an appointment, or an hour yoga class once a week becomes negated by the other 23 hours of movement within old patterns if change isn’t infused into every single movement all 24 hours of the day.

I also teach various stretches and exercises that assist in soft tissue healing and repair, reducing muscle spasm/guarding, and expanding usable ranges of motion. The exercises I recommend are influenced by my training in Nutritious Movement’s Restorative Exercise alignment principles and Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) principles.

1. Improved mobility and flexibility Stronger and healthier joints

2. Improved balance and body control

3. Decreased pain

4. Reduced prevalence and severity of injuries