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The
typical patient will encounter 3 stages of care. The first stage
focuses on symptomatic relief such as reduction of pain and other
discomforts. The following stage addresses tissue healing and function
normalization. The final stage consists of periodic spinal care to
prevent the formation of new injuries, minimize future flare-ups of old
injuries, and prevent degenerative spinal processes from occurring.
Relief Care
Relief care is the first stage of care for most patients. The primary
goal during this initial stage is to provide the individual with
symptomatic relief. Treatments focus on those techniques and therapies
which most quickly and effectively reduce pain and other discomforts.
This will allow the majority of individuals to continue their
activities of daily living. Patients are generally recommended to "take
it easy" but are encouraged to stay mobile and functional so long as
there is not a risk of further injury or tissue damage. Therapies that
reduce inflammation and muscle spasm are also used during this stage
when present.
Corrective Care
The second stage of care consists of correcting the problems which
caused and contributed to the condition and healing and rehabilitating
the injured tissues. Unless these events take place, a favorable
outcome is unlikely and future recurrences of the problem are likely.
It is extremely important that the patient comply with and follow the
instructions given by the doctor during this stage of care. Tissues and
structures that are not fully healed and rehabilitated are prone to
future problems. Sticking to appointments, complying with home
exercises and instructions and following all other recommendations will
help insure this occurs. Patients should also be aware that once pain
and discomfort have subsided, tissue healing and functional correction
is many times still incomplete and will often require additional
treatments.
Wellness Care
Once the spinal tissues are healed and spinal biomechanics have
normalized the patient will be recommended to continue with periodic
spinal checkups. For some this might mean once per year, for others
this may mean once per month or more. Chiropractic spinal checkups
provide similar benefits to the spine that dental checkups provide to
the teeth. Namely, catching minor problems and disturbances before they
have the opportunity to cause pain, discomfort and irreversible tissue
changes. Just like with cavities and heart attacks, irreversible tissue
damage has generally occurred before the symptoms of spinal pain and
discomfort become apparent.
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