The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.”   The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal. What is a Chiropractic Adjustment? Adjustments are done in many different ways based upon age, body type and Personal preference. The adjustment addresses five basic components: 1. Osseous component: Motion and position of spinal vertebrae. 2. Connective Tissue component: Muscle, ligaments, tendons. 3. Disc component : The cushion between the vertebrae. 4. Neurological component: Interference with nerve function. 5. Biomechanical: Posture, abnormal spinal curvatures-front to back (kyphosis) and/or side to side (scoliosis). Phases of Care          Phase I: Acute Care This phase of care lasts from seven to fourteen days. Its emphasis is on pain relief, restoration of cervical lordosis, and A to P spine balancing. During acute care, patients receive training on their home care equipment and procedures. Each visit to the clinic includes a visual functional, neurological, and postural examination. Patients are adjusted based on the visual, physical and radiographic examinations.    Spinal manipulation in our office will not apply painful compressive forces typically associated with conventional chiropractic. Instead,  distraction and accumulative type forces are utilized. These types of forces are more aligned with biomechanical functions, more effective for relieving nerve compression, pain, dysfunction, and most importantly, are necessary for spinal correction.  At the end of acute care, patients are reassessed to determine their progress and qualification for the next phase of care. Phase II: Rehabilitation and Correction The goal of rehabilitation is to achieve permanent correction. This usually requires a minimum of two rehabilitation sessions per week in the office for a period of one month.  During this phase, patients are trained to be doing their home care procedures twice a day. Each of the  visits includes a visual functional, neurological, and postural examination. Patients are adjusted based on the visual, physical and radiographic examinations. We ensure that patients are doing their home care procedures. Their compliance is formally checked after 30 to 45 days of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation continues until the correction goals are achieved. While many patients achieve permanent correction in the minimum time period, others may take 24 months or more, especially for those with torn ligaments. Phase III: Maintenance and Supportive Care The purpose of this last phase of care is to maintain and enhance patients' spinal correction and muscle strength and endurance. Once a month for a year, patients come to the clinic for a full functional, neurological and postural exam by the doctor. The Doctor Barry will only adjust patients if the exam indicates the need. In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.   Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate.  Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team. Dr. Bryan W. Barry is available for a free postural analysis and to discuss how chiropractic care can improve your life.           Call 203-288-2821 for your Free Health Consultation

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3d spine

3D Spine