Massage Therapy Q & A

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a term that is applied to a set of specialized exercises, muscular movements, adjustments and activities designed to increase functionality and flexibility. Physical therapy restores movement and mobility, improves strength, and helps patients recover from injury so that they can regain control of their life after a debilitating accident or illness.

How do Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Work Together?

Many people think that physical therapy and chiropractic are somehow at odds, but the truth is, chiropractors work together with physical therapists, and there’s a great deal of overlap between the two professions. More often every day, people are beginning to see physical therapy and chiropractic are two important and complementary aspects of a comprehensive whole body approach to recovering from illness and injury.

How does Physical Therapy Treat Arm, Back, Leg, Neck and Shoulder Pain?

People who suffer from pain in their back, neck, shoulders, arms and legs often think of heading to the chiropractor for an adjustment to alleviate the pain. However, they just as often visit a physical therapist for similar reasons. It is important to have a dedicated whole-health team to guide patients on their path to recovery and wellness.

The truth is, while a chiropractor can make the necessary adjustments and apply treatments to address the underlying causes of pain in the back, extremities and throughout the body, the efforts of a good physical therapist can pick up the race at that point and help patients to regain functionality, strength, and mobility in those affected areas.

For those who are suffering from pain resulting from a spinal or nervous injury in East Haven, CT, Dr. Church can develop a comprehensive individualized treatment plan for chiropractic and physical therapy to restore a patient’s health and help them get better than ever.

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Back pain can be caused by a range of ailments and injury, by overuse resulting in soft tissue injuries, sprains, and strains, or bone fractures. It can be caused by herniated discs, by osteoarthritis in the spine, or by rare conditions like spondylitis, bacterial infections, and tumors.

Understanding the cause of lower back pain requires a thorough examination which may include CT, MRI, or other scans. Only when the cause of the ailment is clear can treatment begin.
What Symptoms Should Patients Not Ignore?

Any pain is a sign that something is wrong but some symptoms are certainly indicators of a more severe condition than others. Those who experience weakness in their extremities, whether it’s the legs, arms, or face, should see a doctor immediately. If the back pain radiates into the chest, the patient should immediately seek medical assistance.

Tenderness and pain in the rear lower leg could mean a potentially fatal blood clot. If back pain is causing respiratory troubles, the patient should seek medical assistance right away. All of these could be related to back problems or could indicate serious ailments like stroke or heart attack.
How Can a Chiropractor Help?

Chiropractors specialize in injuries to the back, spine, and nervous system. They engage in highly effective non-invasive treatments of musculoskeletal and nervous disorders. By treating the areas where the pain originates (which may not be where the patient feels the pain), they alleviate the injury, allowing patients to improve strength and mobility, and restore their health and wellness.

Treatment by a chiropractor will usually involve spinal manipulation, but can also involve specialized physical therapy and exercise routines custom-tailored to the individual needs of the patient. By setting goals for recovery and preventative efforts, a chiropractor can not only restore the health of a patient but can help to avoid further illness and injury in the future.