3 Signs You May Need A Physical Therapist in Addition to A Chiropractor

Chiropractor treating a patient adjustments
Chiropractor treating a patient chiropractic adjustment

Three Signs You May Need to See a Physical Therapist in Addition to a Chiropractor

Although chiropractors can massage your muscles to loosen them up before an adjustment and can assign you physical therapy-type exercises to do at home, they’re not massage therapists or physical therapists (in most cases). And while your chiropractor can handle some musculoskeletal problems that don’t seem directly related to the spine, some problems are likely to need the attention of a licensed physical therapist as well. Here are a few signs that you may need to head in that direction.

  1. You’re sure the problem isn’t spine-related

You’ve probably heard miracle stories about people who went to the chiropractor and magically had their temporomandibular (TMJ) or migraines resolved by a spinal adjustment. However, just because their headaches were helped by a spinal adjustment doesn’t necessarily mean your sports injury will be. Of course, that’s not to say you don’t need to see a chiropractor; you may well have ended up with a subluxation as well as tendon damage during that football tackle. But your torn tendon should be more of a priority, so you should probably see the physical therapist first.

  1. It’s an unusual injury

Sports injuries as a group are quite common, but there’s always a chance that you’ll get an uncommon one that requires specialist knowledge, and the same goes for occupational and other injuries. If you have a common problem like carpal tunnel syndrome, your chiropractor can probably help you with that, but if you have a less common issue with one of the other nerves in your hand you may need an appointment with a physical therapist who specializes in hand therapy.

  1. Your injury hasn’t responded well to chiropractic treatments

If you’re a regular chiropractic patient, congratulations; regular adjustments can significantly improve your overall well-being. But not all injuries are alike, and not all bodies respond the same way to treatments. Your current injury, if it doesn’t seem to be responding well to chiropractic care, may need to be looked at from a different perspective. Going to a physical therapist can be another holistic option if you feel you need a second opinion on how to treat it and don’t want to jump straight to surgery.

These are three situations in which going to a physical therapist may be a good bet for you, even if you’re a longtime chiropractic patient. Don’t stop going to a chiropractor just because you also have physical therapy needs, but don’t let your loyalty to your chiropractor keep you from getting physical therapy either.

About Bryn Mawr Chiropractic Care

Dr. Eric Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D, is a board-certified chiropractor serving the Philadelphia Main Line since 1984, including Lower Merion Township, Haverford Township, Radnor Township, Tredyffrin Township, Easttown Township, Willistown Township, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Chester County, . Services provided include gentle spinal adjustments, sports injury care, family care, auto accident care, and health education.

BRYN MAWR CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Eric G. Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D.
Rosemont Plaza
1062 Lancaster Avenue
Suite 15-I
Rosemont, PA 19010
(610) 527-8491
DrChesloff@BrynMawrChiropractic.com
www.BrynMawrChiropractic.com

Hours are by appointment, Monday through Saturday. Insurance is accepted, as applicable. Dr. Chesloff is a Medicare provider.

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How to Develop A Safe and Effective Spine-Strengthening Routine

How to Develop A Safe and Effective Spine-Strengthening Routine

Yes, the human spine is designed to move. However, if you’re not actually moving as much as you could be, your spine and its supporting parts could be a source of unwelcome discomfort. Fortunately, it’s never too late to develop a routine to strengthen your spine and the muscle groups that support it. Keep reading to discover what you can do to develop a safe and effective spine-strengthening routine.

Start Slowly

It’s one thing to be firmly committed to getting started with a spine-strengthening routine, and another thing entirely to overdo it so much that you end injuring your spine. Reduce your risk of unintentional injury by starting slowly instead. By gaining confidence and allowing your spine and its supporting parts to get used to a boost in activity, it will be safer to step things up later.

Luckily, there are many options with gentler, beginner-level exercise routines good for your spine. Possibilities include:

      • Walking at a comfortable pace
      • Swimming and other water-based activities
      • Yoga, Pilates, and similar controlled movement disciplines

Seek Expert Advice

There are many knowledgeable sources you can turn to for advice as you get started with a spine-strengthening routine. The most accessible and immediate one is your own regular physician. A spine specialist or chiropractor can also recommend an appropriate routine, as can a personal trainer or fitness expert familiar with spine-friendly exercise routines.

Pay Attention to Your Body

It’s perfectly normal to be sore after you’re just getting started with any type of exercise routine. What you don’t want to do, however, is ignore signs suggesting it’s best to take a day or two to rest or change up your routine. Typically, it’s best to do this if you are noticing:

  • Sudden aches and pains around your spine
  • Worsening spine-related pain if you have existing back issues
  • Trouble with mobility
  • Discomfort that’s not going away after a day or so

Commit to Your Routine

USA Today estimates nearly 70 percent of gym memberships go unused. This is often because there’s an initial commitment to a routine at first that eventually dwindles. Starting off strong and tapering off within a month or so is something you don’t want to do with any type of spine-strengthening routine, even if it’s not one that involves a gym. Plus, starting a routine and stopping it before starting again later increases your risk of injuring your spine or its supporting soft tissues. Ultimately, you’ll do yourself and your spine a favor if you develop and stick to a routine that works best for you.

Remember Your Core

The “core” refers to the muscles primarily in your trunk area. This group of muscles extends to your pelvic area and includes muscles along the side of your body that provide support to your spine as well. These muscles need to be kept strong so your spine isn’t over-stressed from your daily movements and activities.

As you can see, there are many ways to develop and maintain a spine-strengthening routine that’s just right for you. Ultimately, you’ll be rewarded with a healthier spine and the ability to enjoy the many things you look forward to in your daily life.

About Dr. Eric Chesloff

Dr. Eric Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D, is a board-certified chiropractor serving the Philadelphia Main Line since 1984, including Lower Merion Township, Haverford Township, Radnor Township, Tredyffrin Township, Easttown Township, Willistown Township, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Chester County. Services provided include gentle spinal adjustments, sports injury care, family care, auto accident care, and health education.

BRYN MAWR CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Eric G. Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D.
Rosemont Plaza
1062 Lancaster Avenue
Suite 15-I
Rosemont, PA 19010
(610) 527-8491
DrChesloff@BrynMawrChiropractic.com
www.BrynMawrChiropractic.com

Hours are by appointment, Monday through Saturday. Insurance is accepted, as applicable. Dr. Eric Chesloff is a Medicare provider.

Why Choose Chiropractic Care for Workplace Injuries?

Bryn Mawr Chiropractic Care for workplace injuries Philadelphia Main Line Delaware Montgomery Chester County PA Pennsylvania

Why choose chiropractic care for workplace injuries?

An injury on the job affects your health and your ability to work. It is vital that you treat the underlying injuries; otherwise, you risk a recurrence of the injury after return to work. Yet many conventional treatments focus on treating the symptoms using pain medication, rather than treating the underlying causes. For this reason, chiropractic adjustments are a better choice for treating many workplace injuries.

When to See a Chiropractor

It’s important to choose the right medical care based on your injuries. While you’d see a doctor to treat a deep cut that requires stitches, a chiropractor is a better choice for workplace injuries that involve:

      • neck pain
      • back pain
      • herniated disc
      • carpal tunnel
      • frozen shoulder
      • shoulder pain
      • slipped disc
      • repetitive muscle strains and sprains
      • ergonomic injuries
      • knee pain
      • joint pain

The first phase of chiropractic treatment reduces inflammation and pain. Many patients feel a reduction in their symptoms after the initial appointment. When inflammation is reduced, a chiropractor will then adjust the tissue, joints, and spine to restore the body’s natural alignment and break apart scar tissue. This helps you regain the full range of motion you enjoyed before the injury. A chiropractor will also demonstrate stretches and corrective exercises, which you can do in between appointments and when treatment ends to maintain optimal health.

Chiropractic vs. Conventional Treatment

If you have never had chiropractic treatment before, then you may wonder how it differs from conventional medical care. Here are a few of the ways that chiropractic adjustments differ from conventional treatment of the workplace injuries mentioned above.

  • No medication required – Doctors rely on pain medication as a first-line treatment for injuries. However, pain medication has been overprescribed in the U.S., and many people are leery of taking it on account of the prescription drug epidemic. Chiropractic care does not include pain medication; many chiropractors believe that medication simply hides the pain, rather than healing the injury. There is no worry of becoming addicted to pain pills when you try chiropractic care.
  • Safe complementary treatment – Chiropractic care is a standalone treatment of workplace injuries that is gentle and effective for all ages. Individuals who have underlying health conditions may prefer chiropractic care, because there are no contraindications with the management of preexisting conditions.
  • Addressing the root – While conventional medical care does heal the presenting injury, much of the focus is on masking pain symptoms. Chiropractic care looks at the structural elements within the body that are affected by the injury and restores the body’s natural alignment. This alleviates pressure of joints and muscles, promotes natural posture, and heals soft tissue that was damaged. The result is a full recovery from the injury.

With a better understanding of workplace injuries chiropractors treat and what to expect when you see a chiropractor, you can assess your injuries and decide on the best treatment method. What’s more, you will be able to make a full recovery and return to the job you enjoy with no lingering side effects from the incident.

About Dr. Eric Chesloff

Dr. Eric Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D, is a board-certified chiropractor serving the Philadelphia Main Line since 1984, including Lower Merion Township, Haverford Township, Radnor Township, Tredyffrin Township, Easttown Township, Willistown Township, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Chester County. Services provided include gentle spinal adjustments, sports injury care, family care, auto accident care, and health education.

BRYN MAWR CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Eric G. Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D.
Rosemont Plaza
1062 Lancaster Avenue
Suite 15-I
Rosemont, PA 19010
(610) 527-8491
DrChesloff@BrynMawrChiropractic.com
www.brynmawrchiropractic.com
Hours are by appointment, Monday through Saturday. Insurance is accepted, as applicable. Dr. Chesloff is a Medicare provider.