Rehabbing A Sports Injury? Three Reasons To Choose Chiropractic Rehabilitation
If you are recovering from a sports injury such as a muscle strain or a sprained joint, you might assume you need to work with a physician and physical therapist. While this route works for some people, there is another style of injury rehabilitation to consider--chiropractic rehabilitation. This treatment involves working with a sports chiropractor to strengthen the affected area and stimulate healing. Here's a closer look at what you can expect from this type of rehabilitation, and what makes it such a good choice for many athletes.
What does chiropractic rehabilitation entail?
When you first visit a chiropractor seeking rehabilitation treatment for your injury, he or she, like any other health professional, will begin by evaluating the extent of the injury. If you have any X-rays or other information from a physician who has been treating you, sharing that information can be helpful.
Once your chiropractor has a sense of what he or she is dealing with, a variety of techniques may be used to help rehabilitate your injury. Your chiropractor will use gentle stretching techniques to ensure your joints are in proper alignment, which will ensure there's no unnecessary strain on the muscles in the affected area. Some light massage may be performed, and you will be shown exercises to do at home to strengthen and stretch the area, much as you would be if you visited a physical therapist.
Some chiropractors like to use hot/cold therapy or cold lasers to treat injuries. Both of these types of therapy work in similar ways. They reduce inflammation, which alleviates pain and helps speed healing.
What are the benefits of chiropractic rehabilitation compared to other forms of injury rehab?
One huge benefit of this type of rehabilitation is that chiropractors focus on treating the whole body, not just the injury. By making sure all of your joints are properly aligned, they reduce strain on the injured area, which can mean faster healing when compared to other methods which only treat the affected area itself.
Chiropractors also rely on natural techniques. You will not be prescribed any medications or pain relievers. Thus, you do not have to worry about side effects and drug interactions, or the high cost of these medications.
Chiropractors generally focus on working with their patients, rather than on them. Your chiropractor will take the time to listen to your concerns regarding your injury and help you find solutions for any issues that come up along the way. A physician in a busy practice is not likely to have this much time to talk and discuss matters one-on-one with a patient.
Chiropractors are highly trained medical professionals who focus on the interaction of the joints and muscles throughout the body – not just the back. If you are injured playing sports, it makes sense to seek treatment from a chiropractor.
If you are unable to find a chiropractor, or if you think that physical therapy is a better option, contact local businesses like Procare Physical Therapy for more assistance.
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