Chiropractors genuinely want to see their patients succeed and enjoy life
as much as possible. Therefore, they aren’t likely to simply perform an adjustment
and send you out the door. Chiropractors work to understand the root of your
issue so that they can then offer a broad array of treatments to make sure that you
get the most from their care. One of these avenues is corrective exercises.
These are exercises that your chiropractor will suggest which are based on your
unique history, condition, and limitations.
Corrective exercises are not meant to be the sole factor in helping you with a
condition but are used to develop a plan designed to be part of a well-rounded
chiropractic treatment strategy. While there are many issues that chiropractors can
help with, most patients suffer from pain caused by muscle tension in the
spine. While your adjustments focus on the proper alignment of the spine, corrective
exercises can help to strengthen muscles that are not performing
adequately.
When muscles are underdeveloped, other muscles must work to
compensate. This overcompensation can lead to joint misalignment and is often
linked to an increased number of sprains or strains in an individual. Corrective
exercises can help to strengthen the appropriate muscles which decrease the
risk of injury.
Chiropractors who utilize corrective exercises will base
their instruction on your individualized needs. They can review your goals
and current fitness level to tailor a program that is unique to you. They also
understand that over time, you may require changes to keep you improving and
eventually reach your target.
Corrective exercises aren’t the only part of your overall chiropractic treatment but
is the bulk of the work that you will do outside of the office setting. Therefore,
you should work with your chiropractor to understand the entire process. Your
chiropractor will teach you the proper movements for the exercises while you
are in the office and can also send you videos and educational material that
you can review at home. With the combination of office demonstration and the ability
to evaluate the exercises at your own pace, the chances of success with your
treatment program increases. This is truly a win-win for you and your
chiropractor.
No one can begin something new and expect to perform at the level of a seasoned
professional. Your treatment plan is no different. If you are in extreme pain or
facing serious muscle deficiencies, your exercises will be tailored and amended to
fit your specific needs and limits. As your muscles strengthen, once difficult
exercises should no longer pose a challenge and your chiropractor will review
and update your plan. You may perform the same moves, but with added weight,
more time, or increased repetitions. You may also be introduced to entirely new
moves as your level of fitness increases.
While physical therapy is similar to corrective exercises, physical therapy typically
utilizes office visits much more heavily as you may need constant monitoring by
a physical therapist during prescribed exercises. Though this can be an
effective practice for many individuals, there are some who prefer to work more
independently or may not have the time to make additional office
visits.
If you’ve been injured or are experiencing pain, you should consider scheduling an appointment with a chiropractor today. They have the skill and means to treat your issues with a broad approach that will lead to increased health and mobility in all areas of your life.