Evidence-based Physical Medicine
Chiropractic as a profession has evolved. Gone are the days of subluxations and chiropractors preaching the “adjustment” as the be-all-end-all for every injury under the sun. Modern chiropractic colleges are now teaching evidence-based physical medicine founded on research and the best clinical practices of the modern era. Doctors of chiropractic emerge from their doctorate programs trained as neuro-musculoskeletal clinicians and diversified physical therapists. This title reflects their scope of practice as doctors in charge of the nervous system, bones, joints and their associated structures like muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and more.
Modern Diagnostic Skills
Far removed from the “stack ‘n crack” chiropractors in the days of yore, modern clinicians boast diagnostic skills and training comparable to orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine doctors and specialized neurologists. They have the clinical ability to diagnose specific pathologies using a combination of physical exams, orthopaedic testing, and diagnostic imaging. Compared to physicians, they will often invest more time and attention to their physical exams to ensure a specific and accurate diagnosis before starting treatments.
The Modern Chiropractor’s Tool Box
As diversified physical therapists, their patient-centered and evidence-based approach includes therapies and modalities often associated with physiotherapists, kinesiologists, and occupational therapists. The prescription of therapeutic exercises, soft tissue manual therapies like Active Release, instrument assisted therapies like Graston, and electrical modalities such as ultrasound, cold LASER, TENS and IFC machines are all part of a modern chiropractor’s toolbox.
All-encompassing Approach To Therapy
Combine this all-encompassing approach to therapy with patient education, lifestyle couselling and the added benefit of chiropractic joint mobilizations (when clinically indicated) and you have a physical therapist able to deliver a truly holistic and well-rounded treatment plan. And, while most people classically associate chiropractors with treating the spine and nervous system, modern chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat the entire neural-musculoskeletal system.
That means anything associated with joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and all parts of the nervous system is within their scope of practice including shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, hands, feet, jaw and everything in between. This unique combination of clinical diagnostics and diversified therapy allows modern chiropractors to bridge the gap and act as both Doctor and physical therapist, ensuring patients are seamlessly guided through all steps in their recovery from initial diagnosis to returning to sports or their regular daily activities.
Long-Term Solutions
Patient-centered chiropractors will also be more interested in finding long-term solutions to issues. Modern clinical goals involve determining the root of the problems and not just merely treating the symptoms or providing a quick fix Band-Aid for short-term relief. A patient-centered approach means fixing the issue for good and empowering you to remain healthy and active, not scheduling weekly appointments for the rest of your life. The goal of a modern doctor of chiropractic should not be just to remove pain but also to foster independence in their patients and teach them the skills to facilitate a speedy recovery, prevent future injury or maximize athletic performance. The last thing an ethical clinician wants to do is encourage a lifelong dependence on treatments or guilt and/or pressure patients into services or products they don’t need.
So, the next time you’re considering a new chiropractor or physical therapist, carefully evaluate not just their approach to therapy but also their underlying intentions. If you feel a chiropractor or physical therapist isn’t a right fit, maybe it’s time to step into a more modern approach. For more information about Impulse chiropractors and their approach to diagnostic and therapeutic services at either the West Vancouver or Port Moody locations call or book online today.
Step Into A Modern Approach
Visit the West Vancouver Clinic or the Port Moody Clinic to see how we can help you.
Let’s speed up your recovery!
