Exercise Therapy - Chiropractic Treatment

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Introduction

Exercise therapy is a part of chiropractic care that focuses on helping the body function at a higher level of efficiency.  Exercise is important for helping all body systems function optimally while preventing injury and deterioration.  Exercise therapy may help improve flexibility, strength, endurance, and posture.  Chiropractic exercise not only focuses on the back, but on other muscle groups and the body as a whole.  Exercise and chiropractic adjustments may be used together to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
 
Chiropractic exercise may help reduce back pain and improve function.  Emphasis is placed on strengthening the back extensor muscles.  Researchers have found that exercise therapy combined with spinal adjustments is more effective than just exercise or spinal adjustments alone.
 
In addition to the back, exercise therapy may be aimed at particular muscle groups or the whole body.  Strength training, aerobic exercise, and stretching may comprise a whole body program.  Various types of yoga may be used to improve joint health, proper breathing, and relaxation.
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Treatment

Your chiropractor will review your medical history and conduct an evaluation before formulating your exercise program.  Your baseline skills, strengths, and limitations will be assessed.  The evaluation results are necessary to customize a treatment plan with specific short term and long-term goals.  You should tell your doctor about any problems or concerns that you have.  You should also discuss your specific goals, expectations, and priorities.  This information is helpful for formulating an individualized plan that is safe for you.
 
Your chiropractor will instruct you on the specific exercises or techniques in your exercise program.  You should perform your exercises as instructed.  At periodic intervals, your exercise therapy program will be reassessed and changed as you meet goals.  By working with professionals, you are ensured that you are exercising at a challenging yet safe level for you.
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.