Myth or Truth: Chiropractors only treat spinal complaints?
This is a common misconception. I often hear “I know you can’t help me with this but I’ve been experiencing shoulder pain for years”. Let me tell you that Chiropractors are trained in every area of the body! We have gone through 3.5 years of post-graduate school. There are specific classes that have are targeted towards treating extremities. I have also taken post-graduate courses to treat extremities due to sport-specific injuries. This includes not only adjusting extremities but it also included diagnosing and putting together a treatment plan for the diagnosis. There are number of patients that original seek out chiropractic care for the spine but then we realize as we discuss more that there is more going on. The foot pain could be affecting the low back, the shoulder pain could be because of the mid back are just some examples. Our bodies will compensate and will change how we move and function based on an injury. This is why talking about the complaint as well as the whole body is important to get the whole picture.
Tools could be used such as Graston, which is an instrument that allows me to get into the soft tissue and break up any adhesions or fibrotic changes in the muscles or fascia. Graston tools are used to provide relief based on soft tissue complaints. This can lead to faster recovery and less treatment time rather than just adjusting an area when that may not be the only factor to consider.
The use of RockTape or KT tape may be beneficial for extremities. Rocktape or KT tape has been used to accelerate blood flow to the muscles which help reduce fatigue and help with pain in that area. It also help promote lymph drainage to allow the body to reduce any inflammation waste that may be there due to an injury. It also can help work on proprioception of the joint to improve stability. You have probably seen this at the Olympics with the Volleyball players. You can tape lots of different locations in the body (hip, knee, wrist, shoulder, elbow, back, neck, etc…)
Use of rehabilitation to work on strengthening and stretching is important in spinal and extremities injuries. I am a big fan of the patient taking a role in their care, which is why I usually always recommend some type of exercises for the patient to do. Whether we are trying to strengthening a pattern or working on a mobility plan for sports. It is something that the patient can do to allow them to improve their pain without coming to see me.
I enjoy my patients, but often I want to get them feeling better quickly! That is my ultimate goal because who wants to be in pain and put their life on hold for longer than we already have?
