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.

Lower Merion Township PA, Haverford Township PA, Radnor Township PA, Tredyffrin Township PA, Easttown Township PA, Willistown Township PA, Montgomery County PA, Delaware County PA, Chester County, PA, Aldan, PA 19018; Ardmore, PA 19003; Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004; Berwyn, PA 19312; Broomall, PA 19008; Bryn Mawr, PA 19010; Chesterbrook, PA 19087; Chester Springs, PA 19425; Conshohocken, PA 19428; Daylesford, PA; Devon, PA 19333; Gladwyne, PA 19035; Gulph Mills, PA 19428; Haverford, PA 19041; Havertown, PA 19083; King of Prussia, PA 19406; Malvern, PA 19355; Merion, PA 19066; Merion Station, PA 19066; Narberth, PA 19072; Newtown Square, PA 19073; Paoli, PA 19301; Penn Valley, PA 19072; Penn Wynne, PA 19096; Philadelphia, PA; Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462; Radnor, PA 19087; Rosemont, PA 19010; St. Davids, PA 19087; Strafford, PA 19087; Villanova, PA 19085; Wayne, PA 19080; West Chester, PA 19382; West Conshohocken, PA 19428; and Wynnewood, PA 19096. Pennsylvania.

Common Causes of Low Back Pain

Common Causes of Low Back Pain Bryn Mawr Chiropractic Care

Common causes of low back pain

Common Causes of Low Back Pain

If you’re suddenly experiencing low back pain, you might not only be uncomfortable, but concerned. It can happen at any age, but most people are more likely to experience low back pain in later life. Low back pain can occur for a number of reasons.

Overworked or Knotted Muscles

Putting excess stress on the muscles in your lower back can cause low back pain. Some common causes include:

      • Extra weight gain in the last few years
      • Overstretching muscles
      • Long periods of sitting, standing, or lying down
      • Intense exercise – especially physical activity that doesn’t fit your usual lifestyle
      • Trying to force your back into a straight position

While your doctor can recommend treatments for these and other common causes of low back pain, many people have no problem managing their pain at this stage. You may have a sore lower back, but it will often clear up and go away by itself.

Dislocated Spine

Your low back may hurt from damage to your discs. Dislocations and tears in the spine can damage the discs and cause severe back pain. In some cases, you will feel pain that goes all the way around your back.

Sometimes, back pain is an indication of a problem with the spine itself. This is called spinal stenosis.

Nerve Damage

Another reason for low back pain may be a problem with your nerves. If you are experiencing pain in both your lower back and legs, the cause is likely nerve damage.

A pinched nerve in your back can also cause a similar sensation.

Mystery Ailments

Perhaps you have gotten a bump or bruise on your lower back that shows up out of nowhere. If it isn’t severe, it likely doesn’t need medical attention.

In some cases, the cause of a low back pain condition is not obvious, and it’s not uncommon to see several reasons for low back pain in one person. These types of situations require a doctor for accurate diagnosis.

When you have low back pain or another symptom that doesn’t seem to be getting better, you should see a doctor. If you’re unable to leave the house because of your pain, you might be able to get a visit from a qualified health professional at home.

Treatments for Low Back Pain

You may get relief from low back pain with exercise, stretching, treatment by a specialist such as a physical therapist or chiropractor, or a combination of these methods. Again, a doctor is the best person to advise you as to which type of treatment is best for your situation.

If your low back pain isn’t relieved by any of these treatments, your doctor may advise over the counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Stronger prescription opioids like hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, and morphine are also an option. With their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, these medicines greatly ease low back pain for most people.

Natural remedies can also provide relief from low back pain. However, it’s best to be cautious, especially if you’re taking medication, as there can be interactions. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any natural remedies for pain.

Suffering from low back pain is frustrating, but a lot of situations resolve themselves quickly without the need for medical intervention. If your low back pain doesn’t disappear, your doctor can find out why and help you feel better.

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
www.BrynMawrChiropractic.com

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

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

10 Reasons to Visit a Chiropractor

10 Reasons to Visit a Chiropractor

If you have never been to see a chiropractor, you might not realize all the benefits a chiropractic appointment can bring. Chiropractors can treat many physical symptoms as well as improve your mental health. Here are 10 reasons to schedule a visit.

Avoid Dangerous Medications

One major reason people choose to see a chiropractor is to avoid prescription medications that may have been suggested by a traditional doctor. Prescription medication can be addictive and dangerous, especially certain medications that are used to treat pain. If you can relieve your symptoms with chiropractic intervention, you can avoid these medications.

Backache

Back pain is another common type of pain that can sometimes have a cause that is hard to identify. If you suffer from back pain, a chiropractor may be able to help you in ways a doctor cannot. Try visiting a chiropractor to relieve your backache without prescription medications.

Chronic Fatigue

Do you feel tired and worn out all the time? The feeling of being constantly tired is called chronic fatigue and can sometimes stump traditional doctors. A chiropractor has many ways of dealing with this problem and can help you to get back the energy you’ve been lacking.

Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an issue that causes pain in your hand and wrist. It is often found in people who do a lot of typing or similar activity in their hands. Chiropractors can often help relieve the pain of this type of syndrome and allow you to continue the activities you do each day.

Headache

Suffering from headaches is a good reason to seek chiropractic treatment. Headaches can be caused by many different circumstances, and doctors sometimes find it difficult to determine the cause. A chiropractor can identify areas of stress that could be contributing to your pain.

Insomnia

Insomnia is an inability to sleep at night. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you may want to seek the assistance of a chiropractor. This is especially true if you would prefer not to take prescription medications that can leave you groggy in the morning. A chiropractor can help you sleep better naturally.

Joint Pain

The joints are parts of the body that are often subject to pain, especially in people who have arthritis. If you have inflammation that results in joint pain, try talking to a chiropractor. These professionals may be able to help you relieve the pain in your joints.

Range of Motion

A full range of motion is important to your daily activities, as well as participation in sports. If you are losing some of your flexibility, or if you’d like to improve your range of motion, a chiropractor can help.

Slipped Disc

A slipped disc is a painful condition that is often treated by a chiropractor. This can happen when the soft part of your spine that keeps your bones from rubbing together moves in a way that does not allow it to continue to protect you.

Stress

Mental health issues like stress, as well as depression and anxiety, can be helped through chiropractic treatments. This is an approach that can be used along with conventional mental health treatments like medication and counseling.

Visiting a chiropractor is a good idea for many people. If you are struggling mentally or physically, you should consider making an appointment. You might find that it changes your 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. Chesloff is a Medicare provider.

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.

CONGRATULATIONS 2021 GRADUATES!

CONGRATULATIONS 2021 GRADUATES!

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.

Why See A Sports Chiropractor?

Sports chiropractor treating patient Bryn Mawr Chiropractic Care Philadelphia Main Line
Sports chiropractor treating a patient

Why See a Sports Chiropractor?

Don’t let a sports injury keep you from playing the game you love. Many sports injuries respond very well to chiropractic care, which is effective at managing recent injuries as well as those that occurred in the past but leave you with lingering pain. Find out how a chiropractor can heal sports injuries and what to expect when you begin treatment.

How a Sports Chiropractor Heals Injuries 

Common advice after a sports injury is to rest and ice. Most athletes hope the injury will go away with time, so they can get back to the game they love. Conventional therapy is effective at reducing inflammation that accompanies injuries, but this conservative treatment does not address what caused the injury. Until you address the cause, you may feel stiff or experience pain when you move. Scar tissue that develops can limit your range of motion. Intense workouts can aggravate the issue.

A sports chiropractor addresses your injury from a musculoskeletal perspective. They identify the root cause and treat it using non-invasive therapies. They also work to reduce inflammation and pain so you begin to feel better right away. If you want to heal the injury for good without relying on pain medication or invasive procedures, chiropody might be the right therapy for you. In many cases, chiropractic care can actually prevent future injuries by restoring the natural alignment of your spine.

When you begin working with a sports chiropractor, there will be a physical examination and history of the injury. The chiropractor will develop a treatment plan which usually takes place over several weeks. Depending on your injury, you may notice an immediate decrease in pain symptoms as soon as the first appointment is complete.

Treatment consists of adjustments to the spinal vertebrae that return the spine to its natural alignment and reverse damage caused in the incident. Many chiropractors offer complementary therapies designed to reduce pain symptoms, such as sports massage, laser therapy, or cryotherapy. As inflammation decreases, chiropractors will add stretching and strengthening exercises to your routine. This helps you make a full recovery and prepare to resume your favorite activity.

By the final treatment, pain and inflammation should be gone and you will be cleared to play.

Sports Injuries a Chiropractor Treats 

A sports chiropractor works with athletes who run, golf, play tennis, play football, ride bicycles, and compete in other sports. Sports injuries that a chiropractor treats include:

      • Tendonitis
      • Tennis elbow
      • Golfer’s elbow
      • Concussion
      • Shin splints
      • Neck pain
      • Back pain
      • Hip pain
      • Knee injuries
      • Shoulder injuries

Chiropractors can work with recent injuries or old ones with lingering symptoms. The sooner you begin treatment, the sooner you will start to feel better. It all starts with an initial consult, so find a chiropractor near you to start healing and play your best.

About Dr. Eric Chesloff

Dr. Eric Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D, is a board-certified chiropractor serving the Philadelphia Main Line since 1986, 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.