Physiologic therapeutics and chiropractic care
The spinal adjustment is what makes doctors of chiropractic unique in their approach to treating patients with spinal complaints. The chiropractic adjustment, however, may not be the only procedure a chiropractor may employ in managing a patient’s care.
The chiropractic profession has utilized drugless therapeutics (natural therapies) since as early as 1912 (15). Natural agents such as heat, cold, water, massage, light, and exercise are some of the physiological therapeutic measures that are often utilized by chiropractors. hen controlled, these elements exert a beneficial influence on body functions and can help chiropractic problems.
There are other forms of physiologic therapeutics used in chiropractic medicine that employ the use of electrical stimulation, ultrasound, traction, dietary management and other natural procedures which are known to have specific physiological influence on the body. These methods may or may not be utilized by the chiropractor in the course of a patient’s case management depending upon their specific needs. Utilizing specific manipulations (adjustments) in conjunction with these procedures, the chiropractor’s goal is to remove structural or nervous system irritation that may be a major contributing factor in a patient’s lo back pain.
In the course of the chiropractic treatment, the chiropractor may recommend some procedure(s) that should be employed at home and/or at work. The success or failure of obtaining patient satisfying outcomes may be directly related to an ergonomic/job-related activity or a hobby-related irritating activity at home.
