Wilson Medical Centre

Chiropractor & Rehab Services

WMC 2013 014Looking for a Chiropractor?

Chiropractic care is one of the safest and most cost effective means of treating chronic body pain, stiffness, and discomfort. Chiropractors help thousands of people live an active, healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs or surgery.

Chiropractic is from Greek words meaning done by hand. It is grounded in the principle that the body can heal itself when the skeletal system is correctly aligned and the nervous system is functioning properly. To achieve this, the practitioner uses his or her hands or an adjusting tool to perform specific manipulations of the vertebrae.

 

Your Initial visit

An initial chiropractic exam will most often include a history and a physical. You will be asked about your current complaint, whether there are chronic health problems, family history of disease, dietary habits, medical care received, and any medications currently being taken. The current complaint should be described in terms of how long it has been a problem, how it has progressed, and whether it is the result of an injury or occurred spontaneously. Details of how an injury occurred should be given. The physical exam should evaluate by observation and palpation whether the painful area has evidence of inflammation or poor alignment. Range of motion may also be assessed. In the spine, either hypomobility (fixation) or hypermobility may be a problem.

Manipulation

When spinal manipulation is employed, it is generally done with the hands, although some practitioners may use an adjusting tool. A classic adjustment involves a high velocity, low amplitude thrust that produces a usually painless popping noise, and improves the range of motion of the joint that was treated. The patient may lie on a specially designed, padded table that helps the practitioner to achieve the proper positions for treatment. Some adjustments involve manipulating the entire spine, or large portions of it, as a unit; others are small movements designed to affect a single joint. Stretching, traction, and slow manipulation are other techniques that can be employed to restore structural integrity and relieve nerve interference.

Length of treatment

The number of chiropractic treatments required will vary depending on several factors. Generally longer-term treatment is needed for conditions that are chronic, severe, or occur in conjunction with another health problem. Patients who are not in overall good health may also have longer healing times. Some injuries will inherently require more treatments than others in order to get relief. Care is given in three stages. Initially appointments are more frequent with the goal of relieving immediate pain. Next, the patient moves into a rehabilitative stage to continue the healing process and help to prevent a relapse. Finally, the patient may elect periodic maintenance, or wellness treatments, along with lifestyle changes if needed to stay in good health.

Follow-up careWMC 2013 015

Discharge and follow-up therapy are important. If an injury occurred as a result of poor fitness or health, a program of exercise or nutrition will be prescribed. Home therapy may also be recommended, involving such things as anti-inflammatory medication and applications of heat or ice packs. Conscious attention to posture may help some patients avoid sustaining a similar injury in the future, and the chiropractor should be able to discern what poor postural habits require correction. A sedentary lifestyle, particularly with a lot of time spent sitting, is likely to contribute to poor posture and may predispose a person to back pain and injury.

 

 

Why You Should Consider Seeing a Chiropractor?

There are dozens of reasons why you should consider seeing a chiropractor. Here are the most important:

Your Spine Needs Attention You visit the dentist regularly to ensure that your teeth are healthy and strong – shouldn’t your spine deserve a regular check-up too? Having a healthy spinal column is good common sense. Your backbone is literally what keeps you standing upright and contributes to your overall mobility. Just like a regular oil change keeps your car running smoothly, a regular spinal alignment can help keep your body in great condition.
Chiropractic Care Helps You Feel Better Do you suffer from Back Pain, Neck Pain, or Headaches? A visit to a chiropractor can help relieve you of all of these discomforts. These types of ailments are often symptoms of a greater musculo-skeletal problem. When you’re spine is fixated, restricted or ‘out of alignment’, your nervous system can be adversely affected, causing you to feel pain and discomfort in a variety of ways. A trained chiropractor can help ensure that your spine is aligned properly and your nervous system is operating optimally.
Your Body Needs A Tune Up Your body can experience a lot of wear and tear in just one day. Whether you’re sitting in front of a computer, or playing a competitive sport, your spine is subject to an awful lot of abuse. Regular chiropractic visits will “tune up” your muscles and nerves, helping your body perform in peak condition.
Recover From an Accident or Injury Quicker If you’ve recently been injured in a car accident or while playing on a sports team, now is the perfect time to visit a chiropractor. In many cases, chiropractic care is a safe and affordable alternative to surgery, and can reduce or eliminate your need for painkillers. A chiropractor can help you recover from whiplash, as well as sprained ankles and wrists, torn muscles, and joint discomfort.
The Healing Power of Chiropractic Care Chiropractic care is commonly associated with the treatment of back and neck pain, but did you know that a chiropractor can also help treat and relieve pain caused by conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, and even tennis elbow. A professional chiropractor can help you recover from a variety of ailments, quickly and safely. From back pain to vertigo, your solution could be as simple as a spinal alignment. Contact a chiropractor today to learn how chiropractic care can benefit you!