Chiropractic Services
Chiropractic care can involve different approaches depending on an individual's movement, joint function, symptoms, physical needs, and treatment goals. The appropriate approach is determined through an individualized evaluation rather than by applying the same type of care to every person.
Chiropractic services may range from care focused on specific joints and movement concerns to approaches adapted for different stages of life. Understanding the purpose of each service can help clarify how chiropractic care may be tailored to individual circumstances.
Chiropractic Care for Different Needs
Each chiropractic service has a distinct role within an individualized approach to care. The service selected depends on the concerns being evaluated and the findings that help guide treatment planning.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments use controlled forces applied to specific joints, most commonly within the spine. The approach may be used to support joint mobility, comfortable movement, and physical function when an adjustment is appropriate.
Corrective Care
Corrective care is an individualized chiropractic approach that focuses on movement, joint function, and other musculoskeletal factors identified during an evaluation. A care plan may incorporate selected chiropractic techniques and supportive recommendations that can be adjusted as the individual's needs and response to care change.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is a nonsurgical treatment approach that uses controlled forces to alter loading and positioning of the spine. It may be considered in selected situations involving spinal symptoms or concerns where supporting comfort and mobility is part of the treatment goal.
Extremity Adjusting
Extremity adjusting focuses on joints outside the spine, including joints of the arms, legs, hands, and feet. Treatment can be adapted to the specific joint and individual circumstances with the goal of supporting mobility, movement, and physical function.
Pediatric Chiropractic
Pediatric chiropractic care is adapted to the age, stage of development, physical characteristics, and individual needs of a child. Evaluation and treatment may focus on musculoskeletal concerns involving movement, joint function, and physical activity.
Prenatal Chiropractic
Prenatal chiropractic care is adapted to the physical changes and treatment needs that can occur during pregnancy. Depending on the individual's circumstances, care may focus on musculoskeletal concerns involving movement, joint function, and physical comfort.
How Is a Chiropractic Service Selected?
Choosing an appropriate chiropractic service begins with understanding the individual's concerns and determining what factors may be contributing to the symptoms or movement limitations being evaluated. Health history, physical findings, movement, joint function, and treatment goals may all contribute to the decision-making process.
Individual Evaluation
An evaluation can help identify the areas of concern and determine which type of chiropractic care may be appropriate. The findings may also indicate when a particular service is not suitable or when additional evaluation or another type of care should be considered.
Factors that may be considered when developing an individualized approach include:
- The individual's symptoms and primary concerns
- Movement and joint function
- Relevant health history
- Physical examination findings
- Individual treatment goals and needs
Care Can Be Adapted
Individual needs can change over time, and the approach to care may be adjusted accordingly. Follow-up assessments can help determine whether the current approach should be continued, modified, or discontinued based on the individual's response and treatment needs.
Choosing the Right Chiropractic Approach
The six chiropractic services described above address different treatment needs and patient circumstances. They should not be viewed as interchangeable options, because the appropriate approach depends on the individual's evaluation findings and goals.
Understanding the purpose of each service provides a starting point for learning more about the type of care that may be relevant to a particular concern. The individual service pages above provide additional information about how each approach works, what treatment may involve, and when it may be considered.
Learn More About Chiropractic Services
Understanding the different chiropractic services available can help clarify which type of care may be relevant to an individual's circumstances. Each service page provides more detailed information about its purpose, treatment approach, potential applications, and considerations for determining whether it may be appropriate.
For questions about chiropractic care or to discuss your individual needs, contact the chiropractic clinic to learn more about the next steps.