In our Dallas chiropractic clinic we see people that fit into two broad categories. One is acute and the other is chronic. An acute care patient has a sprain/strain. It can be neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain, or many other scenarios. Since it is acute, adjustments and rehab when done properly help the patient to improve rather quickly. We can usually completely resolve the problem in six to twelve visits.
Unfortunately, when the pain is gone people generally feel that they need no further treatment. This is rarely the case. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and rehab, a person who has had one or more acute pain episodes involving joints, muscles, and other soft tissue needs the following:
- Therapeutic exercises: it generally takes 3-5 visits to teach and review the patient’s exercise program. After the patient learns the exercises they must continue to do them at home on a regular basis. Ergonomics also play a big role in the home and workplace. The height of your computer screen, desk, chair, and many other things can affect your health. We offer all inclusive programs that save you money and get the follow-up care done after the pain is gone.
Chronic care is entirely different. I have seen people with sports injuries, workplace injuries, degenerative joint disease/degenerative disk disease, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions where the damage could not be reversed. The people in these situations still have lives to live, children to feed, and bills to pay. They often seek chiropractic care to temporarily improve pain and restore function. Ergonomics and therapeutic exercise are extremely important to these patients. Often the exercises will reduce stiffness and increase range of motion and in some cases relieve pain and reduce the need for chiropractic adjustments.
