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LOOKING FOR A CHIROPRACTOR?…There is a choice.
The majority of chiropractors in the Boca Raton area are best described as “traditional” chiropractors. Corrective Chiropractic is different because its focus is Structural Correction of the spine. So to determine what kind of chiropractor you need to see at this time, please take the time to understand the difference…beginning with “traditional” chiropractic…
According to the ACA, “Traditional” chiropractic has the following goals:
1. Decrease Muscular Spasm
2. Increase Ranges of Motion
3. Reduce Pain
This is what MOST chiropractors in the Boca area offer and I believe that most of them do a great job at what they do.
Unlike “Traditional” chiropractors, Corrective Chiropractic East Boca focuses on Structural Correction of the spine by utilizing Structural Corrective Chiropractic Technique in an effort to correct the following structural abnormalities:
1. Short Leg Syndrome
2. Compensatory Lumbar Scoliosis
3. Anterior Head Syndrome
NORMAL STRUCTURE
To recognize “abnormal”, you must first be aware of what’s normal. How do you know if you have a fever? How do you know if you have high blood pressure? How do you know if you are near sited? You know what is abnormal only because you know what’s normal.
Whether you are familiar with them or not, there are in fact “normals” in all aspects of life. When it comes to the spine there is indeed a normal structure that is considered ideal. Of course we are not expecting perfection. However if your head is displaced 30mm beyond what is considered acceptable, you have Anterior Head Syndrome (AHS). Your head shifting forward is no different than your care being forced out of alignment, or the foundation of your house sinking on one side by just a couple inches.
Because the underlying structure has been shifted, regardless of the reasons, this deviation of your skull puts abnormal stress on your muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs and spinal bones- forcing them to compensate and inevitably degenerate, possibly producing pain and loss of function.
SECONDARY CONDITIONS…WHAT IS YOUR BODY TELLING YOU?
Fortunately, like your car, life gives us warning signals so that we know when there is a problem. Just look at your dashboard in your car and you’ll see a variety of warning indicators that let you know when things aren’t right (aka “normal”).
In the human body, our warning indicators are a number of secondary conditions. As you are probably aware, a secondary condition suggests the presence of a more serious primary condition – typically the underlying cause of your symptoms. Here are a few of the secondary conditions that may require your attention:
- Neck & Back Pain
- Sciatica & Hip Pain
- Numbness & Tingling
- Muscular Spasm & Tension
- Headaches (Variety including Migraines)
- Pinched Nerve
- Herniated Disc
- Canal Stenosis
- Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Pain
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- Decrease Ranges of Motion
- Poor Posture
- Granny Hump (Dowager’s)
- Muscular Imbalance
- Dizziness/Vertigo
- C arpal Tunnel Syndrome
THE PRIMARY CONDITION…THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF YOUR SECONDARY CONDITION?
An ABNORMAL spinal structure creates continuous strain on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs and even nerves. This stress can result in a variety of the secondary conditions as described.
The best way we know how to determine if you have one of the primary conditions we focus on correcting is to undergo a Complete Structural Examination. During the exam a series of x-ray images are taken to determine if you have any of the FOUR SIGNS that are clear indicators of Short Leg Syndrome, Compensatory Lumbar Scoliosis and Anterior Head Syndrome. These indicators have nothing to do with age or genetics. They are a result of the wear and tear these structural abnormalities can cause. They include:
1. Thinning, compressed discs
2. Changes to the shape of the vertebral body
3. Loss of the spines natural curves
4. Significant spinal shifts to the side, forward or backward
These signs are not hard to miss. If they are there…they are there.
THE COMPLETE STRUCTURAL EXAMINATION
Just like you wouldn’t buy a house without looking inside, we don’t work on your spine without first looking inside. The Complete Structural Exam is just that…complete. We begin with the structure of the feet, analyzing their alignment with the ankle and knee. Any significant deviations from normal are corrected before we take the structural x-rays. Short Leg Syndrome (anatomical difference in leg length) is the first thing we address before completing the radiographic examination of the entire spinal structure. Our new high frequency x-ray machine directly downloads the images into the computer. This not only saves time and the environment (no chemicals!), but also insures and excellent image for study. Digital Structural Analysis is then used to correlate the patient’s posture with their structure. Finally, functional and necessary orthopedic and neurological tests follow to determine the extent of any damage that may exist.
COMMON SOLUTIONS
There’s more than one way to skin a cat, and as the saying goes, there are a variety of ways for you to get treated outside this office. If you are not already on them, prescriptions pain killers, muscle relaxers and anti inflammatory medications are often times our first resort. If they don’t work out, the next step is usually physical therapy. Cortisone injections are usually the next step and in many cases, when these other treatments don’t work, more invasive procedures are recommended. Some patients have even taken a trip or two to the traditional chiropractor.
Regardless of your experience or level of success with these treatments, all of them have been known to be helpful to many people. We just want you to know what your choices are so that you make the best decision for you and your condition.
THE CORRECTIVE CHIROPRACTIC WAY…FOCUS ON THE PRIMARY CONDITION
As mentioned in the very beginning, here at Corrective Chiropractic East Boca we focus on structural correction of the spine including:
We do this by utilizing Structural Corrective Chiropractic Technique combined with pre and post adjustment spinal remodeling procedures and structural correction exercises. The goal is to direct your spine toward what is considered normal. By doing so this will relieve the abnormal stress and strains that contribute to your secondary conditions.
So after your Complete Structural Examination you will return to review the findings and receive our best recommendation to achieve maximum correction. This visit is included with the examination along with an opportunity to get a taste of what it is like to be a patient in this office. A taste means you will get a slightly toned down version of a Structural Correction session, so you know what to expect without being surprised on any subsequent visits.
As for “How long does it take?”…A young adult patient with moderate structural changes can expect to spend a MINIMUM of 16 weeks under care. This includes up to 3 sessions per week as well as following the required complimentary recommendations which include sleep position, cervical and lumbar supports, nutritional supplements (just a few things), corrective insoles, heel lifts, shoes, etc…Everything and anything that can effect the outcome.
At the end of the initial phase of correction the Complete Structural Exam is repeated. Maybe you feel great, and all your secondary conditions are “all cleared up”, but that isn’t as important as confirming, objectively, if your spine is corrected structurally, on its way or if nothing happened. We can’t x-ray you everyday, so, after the recommended plan is completed, we take a look. At this time we can see if more work is needed or not.
Finally, just like you would wear a retainer for your teeth after the braces came off, we offer all patients who have successfully completed their initial plan of correction, a Structural Protection Plan. For some, all the exercises, ergonomic recommendations and postural recommendations are not enough to keep their correction on their own. There are a number of Protection Plans which consist of periodic visits designed to protect your investment and make sure what we corrected stays corrected.