CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractic Care For Sports And Spinal Injuries and How A Chiropractor Can Help
Alternative therapies are becoming more prevalent for people with sports-related injuries and chronic back pain. While chiropractic physical therapy does not give a cure or magically heal an injury, it can help reduce pain, increase movement, and improve quality of life. Dr. Brian Mikhayloff is a Chiropractor at Back in Motion in Brooklyn, specializing in Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, and Sports related injuries. He holds a Specialty as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician®. Here we will discuss Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, and how a trained Chiropractor can help.

What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care utilizes a hands-on approach to treat injuries that cause pain and limit mobility. It is a treatment modality most frequently used for musculoskeletal problems such as back injury and neck pain. It involves the manipulation of the spine to help restore normal joint mobility, balance, and reduce pain. By accessing the nervous system through the spine, which connects to all body parts, Chiropractic care can effectively treat pain in the spine as well as extremities.

Procedure
When you arrive for your first visit, you will be asked to complete a health history questionnaire as well as answer questions about your Medical history. This information provides the Chiropractor with the information necessary to develop an action plan for your care. The Chiropractor will start by examining you and listening to any complaints or symptoms that you may be experiencing with back pain, neck pain, or extremity pain. After the history, the Chiropractor will then perform a physical exam.

While the Chiropractor will be checking if the spine is misaligned, he will also check for any neuromusculoskeletal issues such as trigger points, tight muscles, radiculopathy, injured joints, compensations, and more. Your treatment session may contain hot or cold therapy, special Electrical Muscle Stimulation to decrease muscle spasms, Ultrasound, Shockwave Therapy, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Stretching, Joint Mobilization, Joint Adjustment, followed by an personalized Exercise plan. Your chiropractor will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to suit your needs.

Conditions Treated With Chiropractic Care
Sports-related injuries such as strains/ sprains as well as dislocated joints can all be helped with Chiropractic care. Other conditions include neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pains sacroiliac pain, knee pain, sciatica, torn ligaments and ruptured or damaged discs. Chiropractic can relieve pain caused by herniated discs, bone spurs, arthritis and spinal stenosis. These conditions can cause restrictions in blood flow or nerve conduction to the spine, causing pain, numbness, and tingling.

Chiropractic treatment can help restore the range of motion and function by adjusting the spinal joints and working on the muscles to help increase flexibility, strength, stability, proprioception, and improve circulation. Discuss your symptoms with a trained Chiropractor to determine if this treatment is right for you.

How a Trained Chiropractor Can Help
Chiropractors are trained in rehabilitation and not just focused on correcting the body’s natural function or homeostasis. Chiropractic care enhances the body by strengthening and improving weak muscles. A trained Chiropractor can help you rehab your injury through a series of treatments. They have the knowledge and experience to design a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs.

A big part of Chiropractic Therapy is educating you on staying injury-free while participating in sports or other activities. A trained therapist will teach you proper exercise techniques, stretching, and body mechanics. They can also recommend ergonomic devices, such as exercise balls or yoga mats, to help strengthen and elongate the muscles around your spine. Their holistic and personalized approach will make you feel comfortable and confident about your recovery.

How to Prepare For The Procedure
Before starting physical therapy, you must be cleared by your doctor. You will also want to ensure you have an open schedule, as the treatment can take up to an hour, depending on the patient and the severity of the injury. Eat a light breakfast on the day of your treatment. There may be times when you will need to lie on your stomach for long periods. Check with your chiropractor to determine if you need special clothing or equipment. Ensure you have plenty of water or a sports drink to stay hydrated before and during your treatment.

Your chiropractor will explain the entire procedure before the treatment begins. You should expect a series of stretches, exercises, and physical therapy modalities. During each visit, you will be given information about exercises to do at home and instructions to follow daily. You may require several visits for a full recovery.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Sports-related Injuries
Spinal injuries can sideline sports athletes for a significant amount of time, often causing teams to miss games or a season. Athletes involved in contact sports often sustain injuries leading to severe pain and loss of function. Chiropractic care has been shown to effectively treat these types of injuries and restore a patient’s ability to participate in sports, work, and daily activities. Dr. Brian Mikhayloff, DC, CCSP is specifically certified as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician. His extensive post-doctoral work and studies consisted of diagnosing extensive amounts of injuries as well as treating sports related injuries of the entire body.

Chiropractic is non-invasive and pain-free. The procedure is done gently and does not require taking time off from sports or work. You get immediate pain relief and however progress varies patient to patient. Many patients find that their symptoms improve or soften, allowing them to return to normal daily activities sooner than expected.

Chiropractic care can help prevent future back pain or extremity pain. The holistic approach helps reduce your risk of injury by addressing any contributing factors, such as weak muscles or improper spinal alignment. It also enables you to strengthen your immune system, increasing your body’s ability to heal.

There are no risks or side effects associated with chiropractic care. The benefits far outweigh the minimal discomfort that can accompany the manipulation of the spine. Many patients find a noticeable improvement in the short term, although their injury may take weeks or months to heal fully. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective method of care when used with a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet, regular exercise, and rest.