Pain Relief
Pain. It’s a problem that affects millions of people. When your back or joints hurt, many other things suffer too. Simple everyday tasks like getting in and out of a car, putting on a coat, picking up a child, sitting at a desk or standing for periods of time may become unmanageable.
There are many causes of back pain. Injuries, heavy lifting, ageing, recreational activities, pregnancy and the stress of everyday life can all cause back pain. Many people choose to just ‘tough it out’ but ignoring back pain doesn’t make it go away. In fact, it can make it worse.
There is a Better Way.
If back pain is affecting your ability to get through the day and keeping you away from your favorite activities, consider chiropractic care. Dr. Paolini will assess your symptoms, diagnose your condition, and recommend a treatment plan to put you on the road to recovery. It is important to treat not only the symptoms, but also the cause. We will provide expert advice to help you prevent pain and injury from recurring.
About the Adjustment or Manipulation
An adjustment is a “high velocity, low amplitude” thrust of the segments of your spine or extremities in order to restore proper range of motion and function. “High velocity low amplitude” means it is quick but gentle. It’s the quickness, not the force that enables the joint to be adjusted. Every joint has a capsule filled with synovial fluid that allows the joint to glide. When an adjustment is made, the cracking occurs due to the fact that the spinal joints are separated very slightly, causing a drop in pressure in the synovial fluid and a the release of a gas bubble (cavitation). That release causes the crack or pop you hear. While it can be loud, it is painless. Some techniques that Dr. Paolini uses, such as activator, are just as effective but do not make any cracking sounds. If you do not like the sound, just ask for Activator treatment.
Did You Know?
- Chiropractic is the third-largest primary health care profession, surpassed in number only by doctors of medicine and dentistry. Doctors of chiropractic treat about 35 million Americans annually.
- While most people associate chiropractors with back pain, they also treat shoulder, elbow, hip knee, foot, carpal tunnel pain and a host of other issues including joint pain, tendonitis, TMJ and headaches
- Chiropractic is used extensively by amateur and professional athletes, professional dancers and others to prevent and treat injuries as well as achieve optimal health and functioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic services are used most often to treat common musculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Through a whole-person, patient-centered approach, a chiropractor can elevate the health and wellness of their communities by helping people of all ages live more fully and actively.
Am I a candidate for chiropractic treatment?
The only way to know if you are a candidate for chiropractic treatment is by consulting with Dr. Paolini for a complete clinical assessment. If you are not a candidate for chiropractic care, or if you require medical treatment beyond the scope of chiropractic, Dr. Paolini will refer you to the appropriate specialist or practitioner.
What should I expect at my chiropractic appointment?
Like any doctor visit, you will be asked to complete paperwork. The paperwork will address your medical history, reason for seeking care, and goals and expectations you have from treatment.
Dr. Paolini will then perform an exam to evaluate your condition. The purpose of the exam is to isolate what area is injured, how it began, a diagnosis of the injury, and any contraindications to treatment. Specific orthopedic and neurological tests will be used to assess things such as range of motion of the affected body part(s), muscle strength, and skeletal and neurological integrity. In some cases tests such as X-rays, MRIs or EMGs may be ordered to confirm diagnoses. Dr. Paolini will then correlate this information and create both short term and long term plan and goals which he will discuss with you prior to any treatment. Short-term goals typically include reducing pain and restoring normal joint function and muscle balance. Long-term goals include restoring functional independence and tolerance to normal activities of daily living.
A treatment plan will also be presented to you describing the amount and frequency of visits that are recommended to achieve these goals. A usual first visit takes about an hour. Treatments afterwards can be from 30-45 minutes. Sometimes it will be less than this depending on what your treatment plan entails.