Chiropractic is an alternative form of medicine in which the means of treatment is a physical one. Chiropractors use their hands to treat various musculoskeletal conditions that affect the human body. Chiropractic can treat a diverse group of patients including car accident victims, worker’s compensation injuries, sports injuries, pediatric patients, as well as normal “wear and tear” aches and pains.
Chiropractors create a tailored evidence-based treatment plan, specific to the needs of their patients. With a vast knowledge of how the body works, chiropractors can narrow down the issue at hand and apply appropriate treatment options. Chiropractors have treatment options for everyone, from children to the elderly. At my particular practice, Mendoza Chiropractic, we pride ourselves on providing high quality care to each individual patient based on their needs.
Our practice is located in Long Island, NY. Here, the roads are crowded, people are rushing, and traffic is always a problem. With road conditions like this, car accidents are an extremely common occurrence. Whip-lash injuries, disc herniations, and sprain/strains are some of the most common injuries that a person will experience after such a traumatic event. Chiropractors are often the first health professional that a patient will see following a motor vehicle accident.
One of my most memorable experiences was when a 27-year-old female (we will call her “Jen” for her privacy). Jen arrived in my office for an evaluation after experiencing a head on collision with a drunk driver. Not only did she have severe headaches, neck, middle back, and lower back pain, but she was clearly suffering from post-concussion syndrome and having extreme emotional distress. I conducted a thorough physical examination (including orthopedic and neurological testing), and x-rays of the spine to rule out any fractures. After this, I created a treatment plan that would start her on her road to recovery.
MRI’s of her cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine showed multiple, severe disc herniations (an injury to the cushioning in between each bone in the spine) Due to her severe injuries, she required an aggressive treatment plan starting at five sessions per week. Her injuries also affected her career as a prestigious interior designer. Normally, she would travel many hours to and from different job sites but this was no longer possible. Her job required many hours of sitting in meetings, walking and lifting heavy products which would now prove difficult.
Jen went through treatments that consisted of chiropractic adjustments, stretching, manual muscle release, trigger point therapy, electrical stimulation, heating pads, and cervical/lumbar traction. An adjustment is a maneuver a chiropractor performs with his/her hands that corrects any misalignments of the spine by introducing motion to the joint. When the spine is misaligned, there is pressure on the nerves – this causes pain. By correcting the misalignment, there is less pressure on the nerves and, therefore, less pain.
There are many techniques when it comes to performing a chiropractic adjustment. In fact, each patient may require a different combination of techniques. The most common techniques are a diversified adjustment (the “typical” adjustment you may think of when you think of a chiropractor), SOT, activator, drops, flexion-distraction, among others! Chiropractors are able to consider each patient and pick and choose which technique is best for each person. This is a remarkable trait, chiropractic is not one size fits all profession!
Jen was under my chiropractic care for one year recovering from her injuries incurred by her horrific car accident. With each passing week and month she was able to do a little bit more. Her back pain was less severe, her headaches occurred less often, and her quality of life vastly improved. By the time she was discharged from chiropractic care, she was driving to all her job locations. She could now be sitting in meetings pain-free, lifting heavy products (carefully), and walking easily around job sites.
She had improved so much she felt she was able to take her career one step further and start her own interior design business. Jen is still a patient today, but not for her past injuries. Today, she is seen to keep her feeling her best and to continue living a pain free life. Chiropractic is an amazing natural treatment option that helps the body heal itself. All of this without the use of medications, surgeries, or injections.
Dr. Justine Marini
Mendoza Chiropractic – Long Island, NY.
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