Our team here at Westfield Health and Rehabilitation works hard in the evaluation of each patient ensuring that the correct care is given according to each patient’s individual problems, rather than a typical “across the board” care regime. Evaluation begins with X-Rays taken in our office. After careful study, an individual health care plan is customized for each patient aiding in spinal and physical correction.
Typical treatments plans are as follows:
I. Relief Care
The primary goal of Relief Care is to relieve your symptoms. Just as an Orthodontist applies braces to correct misaligned teeth, a Chiropractor applies gentle, hands-on adjustments to correct subluxation, while a Physical Therapist uses physiotherapy modalities to stabilize the weakened or damaged joints.
An Orthodontist must tighten braces on a weekly basis when they are first applied to straighten teeth. The component of time is also important in both Chiropractic care and Physical Therapy to correct your spine and muscles. During this phase of care, a Chiropractor applies hands-on adjustments to reposition the vertebra during each visit, which are spaced 48-72 hours apart until your correction begins to take hold. A Physical Therapist can increase muscle stabilization via exercise, stretching, manual therapy and strength training.
Relief care includes the application of spinal adjustments and supportive physiotherapy. Periodic check-ups will be performed to measure your progress and you will be taught a home exercise program.
II. Corrective Care
The goal of Corrective Care is to complete the correction begun in your Relief Care phase. As your correction begins to take hold, the time between your visits can be increased. Discontinuing care during the corrective phase would be like the Orthodontist removing braces when the correction is half way completed, which would cause a patient's teeth to return to their original position. Corrective care visits are spaced three to five days apart, depending on your progress.
Corrective care includes the application of spinal adjustments and the instruction of new exercises to supplement your home exercise program. Periodic check-ups will be performed to monitor your progress.
III. Stabilization Care
The goal of Stabilization care is to stabilize the muscles and ligaments that support your spine to decrease the likelihood that your original problem will return. In addition to spinal adjustments, a program of stabilization exercises will be taught. A comparative X-Ray study will be performed to measure progress. Stabilization visits are spaced one to two weeks apart.
IV. Wellness Care
The goal of Wellness care is to promote the optimum function of your nervous system and immune system. Periodic check-ups and spinal adjustments are performed. This phase of care can be though of as going to the Dentist for periodic check-ups to maintain the health of the teeth or wearing a retainer to maintain corrections made by the Orthodontist. Wellness care is vital to avoid future spinal degeneration and to help you reach your highest level of health and vitality!
