Top Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Questions Asked by Patients (2 of 2)

Today, we continue our two part blog where we attempt to answer the most common questions we receive from our patients at iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic to help alleviate some of your concerns and help to answer some of the more general questions you may have about your treatment options and recovery.

Keep in mind, everyone is an individual and your treatment, and recovery will all depend on you and your current health capabilities.

12. How does active release technique work?

Active Release Techniques (ART) is a form of treatment for the soft tissues focusing on relieving tissue tension through the removal of fibrosis/adhesions. These types of adhesions can develop in tissues as a result of overload due to repetitive use and can lead to muscular weakness, numbness, aching, tingling and burning sensations. Some therapists are trained in this type of technique and if you are interested, check to see if your local chiropractor or physiotherapist can accommodate you.

13. I’ve heard of many different types of chiropractic adjustment techniques. Which is the best?

It is true that there are many different chiropractic techniques. Ultimately, there is no ‘best’ technique as a certain technique could be better suited to adjust a particular area of the spine or likewise may work better on a particular patient. Chiropractors who have graduated from the Canadian memorial Chiropractic College are trained in the most common technique which is called ‘diversified’. However, continuing education courses allow chiropractic practitioners to enhance their skills and learn different techniques so that they may have a greater ability to treat more conditions with greater ease and efficiency.

14. Do you guarantee satisfaction?

No. We cannot guarantee anything in terms of treatment, but we make sure that you get best available care for your condition in order to get better as early as possible. Chiropractic treatment mostly produces positive results for a patient with minimal risk and rapid resolution of uncomplicated mechanical back pain through spinal manipulation.

15. Will you show me ways of preventing what you are treating?

Yes. We will not only treat you but also teach you about your condition and ways to prevent it in future.

16. Will I be treated on the first visit?

Yes. In most cases after detailed assessment on your first visit, you will be treated with appropriate treatment protocol. Only in some cases where due to time constraints or unavoidable circumstances, your initial treatment may be delayed.

17. What are the benefits of supervision when attending physiotherapy to exercise in comparison to attending a gym?

Gym activities are for fitness purposes in most instances, whereas physiotherapy exercises are for rehab in addition to fitness purposes. If you do any exercise incorrectly when you are fit you will end up with injury. If you are already injured and doing the wrong exercises you can end up disabled in some extreme cases. So it is always wise to have physiotherapist to supervise your exercise program, tailored for your condition and ability.

18. How are the most suitable exercises determined?

Exercises are determined based on available the evidence obtained through empirical testing or case study analysis and experience gained through years of practice as well as training during school. Doing the right exercises can meet all the demands to heal your injury and keep you fit for the rest of your life.

19. How do I know if treatment is working?

A gradual decrease in your symptoms like pain, stiffness and improvements in your range of motion are some of the indicators that treatment is working for you. Most importantly, your own feeling of ‘getting better’ says that treatment is working.

20. What happens when I suffer a MVA and insurance companies will no longer pay?

Unfortunately this is a difficult situation for most patients who continue to suffer from the injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Following the exhaustion of funds available in the Minor Injury Guideline ($3500), an insurance company will order an orthopaedic assessment for a patient who requests further therapy. These assessments are typically used to determine a patient’s eligibility for continued treatment but are invariably negative in their conclusions. In many cases this even occurs even if the patient has continuing verifiable symptoms or supportive diagnostic tests to substantiate their need for further treatment. Additionally, altering an insurance company’s denial following these assessments is very difficult. In these cases, it is recommended to consult with a personal injury lawyer in order to determine the best course of action as every case is different.

21. When should treatment stop?

Resolution or reduction in the initial symptoms experienced is usually determines the treatment progress. Ultimately, a complete absence of these symptoms for a period of two weeks while returning to all normal preinjury activities is a good indication of recovery. Additionally, regular maintenance care is always recommended in order to prevent a recurrence of the initial symptoms. Consult with your therapist to determine the best schedule for you. Be proactive and not reactive about your health!

22. What are the benefits of physiotherapy or massage?

Physiotherapy is the study of body kinematics in order to treat various physical ailments through the use of modalities like electrostim and ultrasound while incorporating preventative strategies like maintenance exercise and posture correction. Registered massage therapy is the use a hands on approach to aid in the relief of muscular and ligament tension, as well as to improve the circulation in the body.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach us at (416) 759-8099, we are always happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.