The chiropractic profession is fluent in all basic medical sciences with specific focus on the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system and its interrelationship with the nervous system. Such expertise is essential and imperative to fully address all systems involved in the evolution of neuromusculoskeletal (NMSK) pain.
The doctor of chiropractic can assess, diagnose, and treat many acute or chronic NMSK conditions resulting from a variety of causes, including trauma and postural stresses.
OUR GOALS
The practitioners at the Robichaud-Lévesque Clinic take pride in providing evidence-based care while educating patients so that they may attain and maintain an optimal quality of life while reducing pain and improving physical wellbeing. We offer a combination of non-invasive, specialized, and innovative treatment options garnered over years of experience so that you receive the most effective and efficient treatment possible.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Following a thorough case history and examination, our clinicians will determine the best course of action for the patient. A customized, patient-specific treatment plan will be put forward, while any risk associated with recommended care will be discussed while reviewing consent prior to care.
Our doctors of chiropractic rely on different techniques to correct spinal-related disorders, as well as peripheral joint and tissue dysfunctions. These include spinal manipulation therapy, the Ultralign system, and laser/photobiomodulation therapy. Soft-tissue techniques such as acupuncture, dry needling and instrument-assisted myofascial therapies may be used as complements to chiropractic treatment. Active rehabilitation protocols may be prescribed to maximize outcomes.
THE THREE BASIC TYPES OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE
- Acute care is provided to patients who have acute injuries so that their condition may be corrected and stabilized. Acute care typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks, which amounts to a total of 6 to 12 treatments.
- Supportive care is administered to patients who have reached the maximum medical improvement or maximum therapeutic benefit but fail to sustain this improvement and progressively deteriorate when treatment is withdrawn. In other words, supportive care is therapeutically necessary. Frequency of visits varies and depends on the patient’s condition.
- Preventative/maintenance care is for patients who are currently pain- or symptom-free and who seek to prevent pain and disability, promote health, and enhance quality of life. In other words, preventative care is optional or elective.
WHAT IS SPINAL MANIPULATION?
Spinal manipulation as a treatment for spinal pain has a long tradition dating back to antiquity. It is a skilled, passive manual therapeutic maneuver carried out by way of a brief, shallow and carefully administered thrust targeting a dysfunctional spinal segment.
Many patients with low back pain and other spinal-related disorders benefit from the application of spinal manipulative procedures. Spinal manipulation therapy primarily addresses joint dysfunction to reduce pain and muscle hypertonicity, restore altered biomechanics and ultimately limit wear and tear on the joints.
Spinal manipulation is considered very safe and may be accompanied by a popping sound called the cavitation phenomenon, whereby gas is released in the joint.
Spinal manipulation has also been shown to have a direct and immediate effect on the nervous system.
EVIDENCE SUPPORTING SPINAL MANIPULATION
Over the years, spinal manipulation has been studied in depth as pertains to its clinical efficacy and cost effectiveness for treating spinal pain. These studies have concluded that spinal manipulation is an effective and safe treatment for spinal pain of mechanical origin.
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF SPINAL MANIPULATION
The therapeutic effects of spinal manipulation are explained in terms of mechanical (physical) and neurophysiological (reflex) mechanisms.
The physical effects of manipulation involve:
- Increase in active and passive ranges of motions
- Breaking of intra-articular adhesions
- Joint and muscular mechanoreceptor stimulation
The neurophysiological effects include:
- Inhibition of pain by afferent impulses to the central nervous system
- Relaxation of muscle by inhibiting motor neurons
- Stimulation of the autonomic nervous system
ALTERNATIVES TO SPINAL MANIPULATION
Sigma Ultralign System – Read more