What’s the first thing that comes to mind when somebody brings up chiropractic? Commonly when people think of going to the chiropractor, they most often associate that with getting “cracked” or “popped.” In todays blog we will dive into what a chiropractic adjustment actually is and how it can be helpful for treating pain.

The musculoskeletal system is made up of muscles, bones, joints, cartilage and tendons, all of which together gives us the ability to move and also plays a vital role in protecting our organs. Since the musculoskeletal system makes up the overwhelming majority of our bodies, it is no wonder that it is to blame for so many pain driven conditions. This being said, lets talk about how chiropractic adjustments can be helpful in treating pain.

A chiropractic adjustment is a therapeutic treatment that uses controlled force directed at a specific joint in the body. Within the musculoskeletal system, there are well over 300 joints, all of which play a vital role in proper function of the body. When a joint is not moving properly, it often times results in pain. When this is the case, a chiropractic adjustment can be applied to that specific joint, which helps to restore function, range of motion and decrease pain.

During a chiropractic adjustment it is not unusual to hear an audible “popping” sound. This is caused by the release of small pockets of gas trapped from within the joint, while it is being taken through a full range of motion during the adjustment. Although this does not always happen, nor does it need to happen for an adjustment to be effective, it is a phenomenon that is often times associated with the adjustment. After a adjustment is performed, the joints within the body are able to move through a greater range of motion which helps to restore natural body function.

As complex as our musculoskeletal system can be, we can greatly reduce the risk for pain when all joints are moving as they were designed to do. Benefits of getting adjusted are quite vast and include everything from improved mobility and balance to decreased pain and muscular tension. The chiropractic adjustment is a researched and proven technique that is safe and effective for restoring proper motion within a joint, helping to improve overall body function. The chiropractic adjustment plays a vital role in our success with decreasing pain and increasing function with almost all of our patients. When paired with other modalities such as acupuncture/dry needling, soft tissue therapy and dynamic rehabilitation we are able to provide a comprehensive and integrated plan to help them achieve their goals in a timely fashion. Do you feel like your body is holding you back from doing the things you love to do? If so, chiropractic care may be a great option for you. Give us a call at 317-449-2020 with any questions you may have or to set up an appointment so we can help get you back to doing the things you love.

Content provided by Dr. Milton Brinza

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Lets face it – injuries, especially sports-related injuries, are inevitable. Whether it’s a torn rotator cuff muscle suffered while pitching or a sprained knee from ballet dancing, injuries are a part of being active. Rehabilitation, therefore, should also be active.  I missed my entire junior year of football due to a sprained ankle that occurred during pre-season training.  I was told to R.I.C.E and…well, that’s about it. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate, repeat. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate, repeat. I was following the athletic trainer’s orders and sat passively on the sideline with a bum ankle that never seemed to strengthen. I then spent the next season taping my ankles before every practice and game and wearing ankle braces over the tape. 

It wasn’t until I read about Indianapolis Colts star Dwight Freeney rehabbing his sprained ankle 2 weeks before the 2010 Super Bowl with a chiropractor that I realized there was another way. As a chiropractor, I have been educated on the latest therapies and most effective protocols for treating all kinds of injuries. So when a patient came into our clinic on crutches with a sprained ankle, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our approach to injury rehabilitation. 

Patient is a 40-year-old male with an inversion sprain that occurred while landing from a flying round house kick at taekwondo.

Treatment consisted of medical dry needling of the surrounding tissue with a TENs unit to decrease tension, soft tissue mobilization to remove muscular adhesions, joint centration for proper alignment and kinesiotaping to reduce swelling. This protocol was implemented twice a week for the first 2 weeks.  After just one week, swelling was down, bruising had dissipated and mobility was returning.

After 4 visits the therapy shifted to exercises and treatments that promote joint motion and weight-bearing.  A study by Linde et al. supports this approach – the study consisted of 150 patients with inversion sprains being treated with early motion and weight bearing exercises. After one month, 90% of patients demonstrated pain-free gait and 97% had increased work ability.

Within 8 visits, the patient’s issues had resolved and so the emphasis turned to preventative care and improving resilience through balance training. 

At Integrated Health Solutions, we take an active approach to our patient’s injuries and pain with a primary focus on functionality.  Our goal isn’t just to get you back on the field, its to make you the best version of you possible so that you can enjoy physical activity without fear of re-injury. 

Content provided by Dr. Drew Hunt

Sources: 

1. https://www.lanjochiro.com/2010/02/dwight-freeney-superbowl-hopeful-using-chiropractic-to-heal-ankle/
2.  Linde F, Hvass I, Juergensen U, Madsen F. Early mobilizing treatment of ankle sprains: A clinical trial comparing three types of treatment. Scan J Sports Sci.1971;8:71-7

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Treatment of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

At Integrated Health Solutions, a large percentage of our patients have experienced some sort of trauma, whether it is from a sports injury or involvement in a motor vehicle accident. When it comes to injuries sustained from accidents, it is from our experience and patient feedback, that an individual does not always feel the pain immediately.  Many of our patients have reported that they did not feel any pain until a few weeks after the accident. This is because our body has an immense ability to keep us from sensing pain.  However, the soft tissues have been affected since the time of the trauma.

Many people who experience physical trauma believe that the pain will eventually go away on its own. We have had patients come to us six months, and even a few years, after their accident, who have unfortunately realized the pain is now a chronic problem and are desperate to feel better. Because of this, we suggest anyone involved in a car accident pay attention to any of their symptoms, some of which may include, but are not limited to: blurred vision, dizziness, clenching of the jaw, pain in the shoulders, neck and back, and headaches.  If you experience any of these symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional help.

Many times, we see patients who have gone to the emergency room after their accident, which is excellent for an initial triage however the main concern of the emergency room is to make sure you do not have any life threatening injuries or fractures. Some patients may be given medication to help with their pain, but please keep in mind that the medicine is doing just that, it’s helping you deal with the pain, not treating the source of it.

We encourage our patients to consider rehab to help reactivate the soft tissue that was damaged in the accident. Different kinds of soft tissue therapies help loosen up the adhesion and fibrotic formations that set in after injury to muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc. Acupuncture is a phenomenal tool for decreasing pain and inflammation, and rejuvenating the tissue. Chiropractic care will help centralize the joint and help with proper mechanics.  At Integrated Health Solutions, we follow this integrated approach to help treat the cause, not just cover the symptoms.

If you have been involved in an accident, or have experienced an injury, please seek medical attention by a provider who specializes in restoring soft tissue integrity, joint mechanics, and who is focused on addressing the cause of the pain, not just masking it.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting us at 317.449.2020.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.

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