Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment covers a wide variety of services to help patients who suffer from any form of pain or have been injured.
A common misconception about chiropractic care is that all we do is perform spinal adjustments when, in reality, it refers to a profession that focuses on the treatment and recovery of any musculoskeletal injuries.
At Health Fit Chiropractic, we have a team of chiropractors who are trained in many different treatment techniques to address a wide variety of injuries. This includes the chiropractic adjustment, soft tissue (muscle) work, and personalized rehab plans. We are specialists in conservative management of all injuries. Our office provides a natural alternative to recovery that is centered around movement, exercise, and hands-on therapy instead of surgical interventions or medications.
The Chiropractic Adjustment or Manipulation
The chiropractic adjustment refers to a technique which is designed to put movement in a joint that is fixated. The doctor uses this to help restore normal function and motion in a joint.
Generally, this technique employs gentle pressure or a shallow thrust to restore optimal motion. An adjustment is sometimes accompanied by a pop noise, which results from the joint’s release of nitrogen gas.
Patients who visit our chiropractic office for care, usually complain of one or more of the following.
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Auto Accident Victims
- Headaches and Migraines
- Neck or Back pain with radiating symptoms
- Sciatica
- Postural Pain
- Hip Pain
- Ankle Pain
To date, many studies of the chiropractic adjustment have proven its effectiveness, safety and high levels of patient satisfaction.
In 1994, the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy deemed this technique as the gold standard for treating low back pain.
Since the agencies initial findings, more research has been conducted on neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and and physical rehabilitation. Each of the study’s findings supports the role of chiropractic care and its manipulative procedures.
How does a chiropractic adjustment help me?
The adjustment is by far the most synonymous treatment with chiropractic. We are often asked how it is used, how it helps patients with pain, and if it is right for everyone.
The adjustment is a very powerful tool that we use on the majority of our patients. The goal of the adjustment is simple. Restore proper motion to an area that has been compromised. When one of our doctors is evaluating you for an adjustment, they will palpate (push) your spine and feel for any joint dysfunction. Joint dysfunction can occur from an injury, muscular imbalances, sitting with poor posture, or many other causes.
When there is joint dysfunction in the spine, it means that the joint does not move the way it was designed to. You can picture it as being restricted or “stuck.” When we perform an adjustment or manipulation to the areas with aberrant motion, we are reintroducing the proper joint motion and mechanics. This allows the body to have proper biomechanics and will enable you to move better.
When should you seek care from a Health-Fit Chiropractor?
If you have been suffering from pain of any kind, we are a great place to begin your journey to recovery.
At Health-Fit, every patient receives a thorough examination to determine the root cause of their pain. Due to our extensive examination process, we are able to help patients diagnose and address a wide variety of complaints. Many patients present after sustaining injuries from working out, participating in sports, or as the result of a car accident. Additionally, we are experts in treating pain that stems from less obvious sources such as postural disorders, poor workplace ergonomics, and others.
Each case is different. Everyone who receives care at Health-Fit Chiropractic is put on a personalized treatment plan that is designed to maximize their recovery and help them return to what they love doing most. Treatment plans are created by utilizing a combination of the following tools: soft tissue treatment, specific injury-related rehab exercises, the chiropractic adjustment, and/or our Class IV cold laser treatment.
What can you expect at your first Health Fit Chiropractic appointment?
If you have never been to a chiropractor before you may not know what to expect at your first visit.
At your first appointment, you will be brought into a treatment room and greeted by one of our doctors. We begin every new patient exam with an in-depth health history to establish a clear understanding of any medical events that could be contributing to your chief complaint or a contraindication to your care.
We then perform a detailed history specific to the chief complaint that brought you into the office. At this time, you can provide us with any additional information or medical studies that may be pertinent to your case such as radiology reports or diagnostic imaging. Once we have a thorough understanding of what you are dealing with, we will help establish goals for your recovery. At Health-Fit, not only do we want to help you get out of pain, but we also want to help you achieve any goals you may have.
After completing your thorough history, we will take you through a series of neurological, orthopedic, and functional movement tests to help us determine what treatment will yield the best results for your individual case.
Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will create a report of their findings for discussion. Our recommended treatment tools will then be explained and performed. Once treatment is complete, the doctor will discuss the projected timeline for recovery, expected progressions, and when you should schedule your next appointment.
Our flexible appointment times are designed to accommodate your busy schedule. We encourage patients to schedule 2-3 appointments out in order to get their preferred appointment times.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about chiropractic
Q: What is the “popping” sound?
A: The popping sound is the result of little gas bubbles that are formed in a joint being released. When you are adjusted, the joint opens up and allows those bubbles to escape.
Q: If there is no noise when I’m adjusted, does that mean it didn’t work?
A: No! As a matter of fact, most of the benefits of the chiropractic adjustment are a result of reintroducing movement into a restricted joint. This occurs with or without the sound. Although many find the sound satisfying, it is not essential for the benefit of our treatment.
Q: Once I start seeing a chiropractor, will I have to continue forever?
A: Absolutely not. Our goal at Health-Fit Chiropractic is to help you get better and back to your life as fast as we can. We design our treatment plans to help patients go through all the steps of recovery. These include decreasing pain, increasing their strength and mobility, and in many cases, training them for a return to sport. Many patients choose to come in for regular maintenance care because of how great they feel after treatment; however, this is a choice the patient makes based on their lifestyle and needs.
Q: Can chiropractic benefit me if I don’t have any injuries or obvious pain?
A: Yes! Chiropractic care can truly benefit everyone. Even those who are not suffering from pain may benefit from a proper functional assessment and chiropractic care. This is because biomechanical imbalances can lead to injuries in the future. Our doctors are trained to perform a full functional exam and determine any imbalances that may predispose you to suffer an injury in the future. If we can proactively address those issues, we can help you perform at your highest level and keep you injury-free.
Q: I came in with knee pain, and you treated mostly my hips. Why?
A: Everything in the body is connected, and even though your symptoms manifested in your knee, your hip may be the source of the pain. In many cases, the dysfunction that leads to your symptoms is either above or below the actual point of pain. Our functional assessments guide us to the root cause of your problem. If we only treated the symptoms directly, the pain would continue to return.
Q: I am not comfortable getting my neck adjusted, can you still help my neck pain?
A: Absolutely! We understand that some individuals would prefer they don’t get their neck adjusted. One of the things that makes Health Fit Chiropractic so versatile is all the techniques our doctors are trained in to help you with. Soft tissue muscle work, cold laser, and rehab exercises are all very powerful tools to help manage neck pain. They can be used in addition or on their own to help you overcome any neck pain you might be experiencing.
What our patients are saying
I started to see Dr. Christie and his staff four months ago for lower back problems. His techniques and those of his team have tremendously helped me overcome my low back issues. I would highly recommend Health-Fit Chiropractic & Sports Recovery to anyone.
I had been suffering from debilitating headaches for over a month when my husband suggested I make an appointment with Health-Fit Chiropractic & Sports Recovery. Dr. Chris Gouveia provided excellent and well-rounded care. I am happy to say that in a very short amount of time, I was feeling back to 100% and productive again. Dr. Gouveia and Dr. Christie are both absolutely wonderful, caring individuals who will listen and plan with you for complete wellness.
