WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC

by Dr. Laurence Dion, Soleil Chiropractic, Airdrie, AB

Chiropractic care addresses the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. It helps improve dysfunctional patterns, which have become negative responses your body has created. Frequency of care and adherence to recommended "homework" has the biggest impact in the beginning, as it helps generate enough momentum to create new positive patterns.

Benefits of Chiropractic

Short-term and regular chiropractic care have a number of benefits including:

spinal and extremity pain relief
headache and jaw pain relief
increased mobility and range of motion
decreased stiffness and muscular spasms
increased joint health
increased performance and energy
increased sense of well being and relaxation
increased balance and coordination
reduced degeneration
enhanced tissue healing and faster injury recovery
decreased tissue inflammation

Chiropractic care has many benefits - visit Dr. Laurence Dion, Airdrie Chiropractor.

STAGES OF CARE

The typical patient will encounter 3 stages of care. The first stage focuses on symptomatic relief such as reduction of pain and other discomforts. The following stage addresses tissue healing and function normalization. The final stage consists of periodic spinal care to prevent the formation of new injuries, minimize future flare-ups of old injuries, and slow down degenerative spinal processes.

Relief Care
Corrective Care
Wellness Care

Relief

Relief care is the first stage of care for most patients. The primary goal during this initial stage is to provide symptomatic relief. Treatments focus on those techniques and therapies which most quickly and effectively reduce pain and discomfort. This will allow most individuals to continue their activities of daily living. Patients are generally recommended to "take it easy" but are encouraged to stay mobile and functional so long as there is not a risk of further injury or tissue damage. Therapies that reduce inflammation and muscle spasm are also used during this stage when present.

Corrective

The second stage of care consists of addressing persistent patterns, and healing and rehabilitating injured tissues. Unless these events take place, a favorable outcome is unlikely and future recurrences of the issue are probable. It is important to follow recommendations given by the doctor during this stage. Tissues and structures that are not fully healed and rehabilitated are prone to future problems. Sticking to appointments, complying with exercise, and following other recommendations and referrals will help ensure progress. Patients should also be aware that once pain and discomfort have subsided, tissue healing and functional correction is many times still incomplete and will often require additional care.

Wellness

Once the spinal tissues are healed and spinal biomechanics have normalized the patient will be recommended to continue with periodic spinal checkups. Chiropractic spinal checkups provide similar benefits to the spine that dental checkups provide to the teeth. Namely, catching minor problems and disturbances before they have the opportunity to cause pain, discomfort and irreversible tissue changes. Just like with cavities and heart attacks, irreversible tissue damage has generally occurred before the symptoms of spinal pain and discomfort become apparent.

Dr. Laurence has been so great to me throughout many years of knowing her and being in her care! You can feel her passion is helping people. Recently, I’ve been so lucky to watch her with my family, specifically my newborn. She’s always had our best interest, and I’m beyond grateful she’s referred us to only the best practitioners, in other fields. 1000000% she is my first recommendation to anyone. - J.H.