photo courtesy of shareski

A patient in my office asked, “after I’m finished treating my injuries, how often should I return for care?”  When this patient’s injuries resolve, she will be released from care related to a motor vehicle collision.  She was essentially asking, how often she should make appointments when she wants to continue feeling well.

This patient was still recovering from injuries to muscles, ligaments, and nerves in her neck and low back, but she explained that she was already beginning to feel range and ease of motion that rival her pre-accident status.  Her care concluded when she felt better and we ensured that her condition had stabilized.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

If she felt better treating with injuries, she saw that she could continue feeling better receiving chiropractic adjustments after her injuries healed as well.  She understood that her body was benefiting from chiropractic therapy and wants to continue to feel that way in the future.  This is a message that I try to impart to every patient.

For most patients that have no current complaint and desire to present for maintenance care, I recommend visits once a month.  This is often a very good starting point and in the course of care, we will learn if this is a good frequency.  If the patient feels that they are not maintaining optimal functionality, then their frequency can be adjusted accordingly.

Of course patients that are having pain wonder how often they will be treated as well.  Often, patients with injuries will initially be recommended to treat multiple times a week to control symptoms and start to correct misalignments in the spine.  When we start to see maintained improvements then, visit frequency can be reduced.

Staying Aligned Helps Reduce Daily Stresses

The body constantly responds to stressors that affect our well-being and chiropractic treatment can help reduce the effects of these daily stresses on our bodies.  Every patient is different and particular conditions require varying levels of care.

At Matthews Chiropractic Center we can devise an appropriate care plan whether you seek pain relief or desire to stay out of pain.  This is patient centered care, care to suit you.

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For the Spring 2010, Foot Levelers is introducing the new CAOS (Custom Adjustable Orthotic Sandal) for women seeking good support in an easy-on, comfy sandal.  Open-toed like a flip-flop, the CAOS fits like an athletic shoe for all day comfort and support.

Foot Levelers has also teamed with Naot to bring contemporary orthotic sandals to men and women.  This new footwear offers the same option of custom orthotic support in a stylish, qaulity leather sandal.

Treat Your Feet

Most people who have their feet scanned exhibit some degree of pronation or dropping of the arches.  This change is usually on both feet, but not symmetrical.  When one foot and ankle moves differently the effect travels up the leg and can affect the spine.  Having your feet scanned, then supporting your feet with custom made inserts helps your feet, ankles, legs, and hips maintain a level foundation for your pelvis, and ultimately the rest of your spine.  Foot Levelers’ custom-made Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers can help reduce postural stress and maintain your body’s natural state of alignment.

At Matthews Chiropractic Center Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers are a tool that we use to maintain proper spinal alignment between chiropractic adjustments and promote joint health whenever the feet hit the ground.  If you are interested in having your feet scanned or learning more about Foot Levelers, please contact us at info@matthewschiro.com or 704-841-3833.

Related posts:

1. Prepare for the Spring, from the ground up…
2. April is Foot Month!

Playing in the Leaves is Fun, Raking Can Be More than a Chore

Raking leaves is one of those one-sided, repetitive activities that could upset the usual, happy balance in our backs.  Muscles in our back fire in unison to maintain our posture and allow us to do work, but toil in a manner that overworks one side, and this could lead to a real stiff back.

• First, beware working predominantly on one side of the body, like when raking, digging, loading the dishwasher, placing groceries in your car, or putting a child into a car seat.  If you are raking or digging, try to periodically switch the side of your body, where you are working. If you are raking, specifically, alternate between raking front to back and side to side (across your body), to prevent any one group of muscles from fatiguing.
• Split loading activities like packing the car’s truck or bagging those colorful leaves into separate squatting and bending movements.  Avoiding motions that simultaneously twist and bend the low back can help you steer clear of back pain.  Bending and rotating at the same time puts the spine in a position of weakness and increases the chances of injury – this is the mechanism that leads to many disc injuries.
• When bending or lifting, bend your knees to lift with your legs.  The legs are the strongest muscles in your body and using the legs can save your back.

If you should happen to upset the delicate balance of muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons that allow for all our movements, remember I’m here at Matthews Chiropractic Center to help make everything work better again.  And, if just the thought of raking your leaves makes your back ache and pain-free is not your status quo, then chiropractic care could be your remedy.

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August 1st and 22nd

September 12th and 26th

October 10th…

Please call to schedule a time from 9am until noon.

Matthews Chiropractic Center will be CLOSED Monday, August 10th and Friday, August 14th.  On Tuesday, August 11th, we will offer expanded hours in the afternoon/evening.  On Tuesday, August 11th, the office will be open 8am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm.

Stay tuned for updates…

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