Acute conditions are commonly characterized by moderate to severe pain that begins suddenly or quickly due to an accident or injury, or from a longstanding problem that reaches a breaking point. Acute pain may subside on its own, but if the problem is more severe, it can last for many weeks. Once an acute injury resolves, chronic pain can persists for many months and even many years if it is not treated properly.
The causes for acute injuries and areas affected can vary, but all share common characteristics.
In most cases chiropractors are best suited to diagnose and manage acute conditions Exceptions are very severe injuries where bone fractures, internal bleeding, organ damage, or head trauma is expected. In those cases, emergency medical treatment must be pursued to rule out those conditions.
For most other injuries, you can see a chiropractor first without a medical referral. Chiropractors are primary portal of care providers, which means we have the training to diagnosis your problem and either treat if appropriate or refer to another medical provider if it needs special attention.
Our acute care program consists of the following elements:
The causes for acute injuries and areas affected can vary, but all share common characteristics.
- Tissue damage and irritation this could be from blunt trauma, overstretching of muscles, ligaments, and tendons, or compression of nerves and blood vessels
- Release of inflammatory chemicals this can lead to swelling, redness, warmth, and pain. Using ice and other therapies aim at reducing the effects of these chemicals.
- Immediate loss/change of function when our bodies experience pain and injury, it tries to protect itself from further damage by causing muscle spasms or restricting range of motion.
- Increases stress pain and discomfort can lead to both psychological and physical stress on the body. People in pain can often be irritable or depressed and physically exhausted (often from not sleeping well because of the pain).
- Long term loss/change of function and structure scar tissue and adhesions can form in tissues that are damaged. This can lead to chronic joint pain and muscle tightness, as well as an increased chance of re-injury in the future.
In most cases chiropractors are best suited to diagnose and manage acute conditions Exceptions are very severe injuries where bone fractures, internal bleeding, organ damage, or head trauma is expected. In those cases, emergency medical treatment must be pursued to rule out those conditions.
For most other injuries, you can see a chiropractor first without a medical referral. Chiropractors are primary portal of care providers, which means we have the training to diagnosis your problem and either treat if appropriate or refer to another medical provider if it needs special attention.
Our acute care program consists of the following elements:
- Intake forms and questionnaires these forms are used to gather information about you, your personal and family health history, and your current complaint. It may seem like a lot to fill out, but it is all very important to for allowing us to give you the best care possible.
- Interview and physical examination once the paperwork is complete, the doctor will review it with you and may ask for additional information. Based on that information, an physical exam will be performed to find out exactly what areas are damaged, what is causing your pain, and if there are any other problems that may have increased the chance of injuring that area. This is when the doctor will also rule out problems that may need immediate medical attention.
- Report of findings and consent to treat During the examination and once it is complete, the doctor will make you aware of his findings, let you know what is causing your pain, and point out problem areas that must be addressed for a better recovery. He will then discuss treatment options and possible referral options (if MRIs, Xrays, or medical referral is necessary).
- Beginning Care If you agree with his recommendations, treatment may begin immediately and will usually consist of physical modalities for pain control (electric stim, ice, etc), as well as advice to help control the pain at home and prevent aggravation of the injured area. Before your next visit the doctor will review all of the exam findings and design a more thorough treatment plan and present it to you on that visit.
- Acute stage this is when the pain and inflammation is at its worst. Pain levels are reported as a 7-10 out of 10. Physical modalities and manual therapies are used to relieve pain, decrease swelling, and improve circulation. Advice is given to help you control the pain at home and to prevent aggravating the area of injury. Treatments are usually performed 3-4 times per week until pain levels are more tolerable and may be performed daily if pain is very severe.
- Sub acute stage once pain levels are more tolerable (4-6 out of 10), we can begin restoring range of motion through manual therapies and chiropractic adjustments, as well as showing you stretches and exercises you can perform at home. Areas of pain will continue to be addressed with physical modalities and manual therapies until the discomfort has completely resolved. Basic strengthening and stabilization exercises will be given to start the rehab process. At this point, we can begin to reduce care to 2 times per week and this phase usually will last only a few weeks.
- Strengthening, stabilization, and restoring full function once pain levels are very mild (0-3 out of 10), we can begin using more aggressive methods to fully restore range of motion and strengthen and stabilize areas of weakness. In this phase we will not only address the areas that were damaged and in pain, but other areas that may have made you more susceptible to injury in the first place. Physical modalities such as electric stim and ultrasound are no longer necessary and are replaced by exercises and other activities to help you improve the function of your muscles and joints. Care is only 1-2 times per week for a few weeks to monitor progress and add/change exercises. Chiropractic adjustments and manual therapies may still be provided to clear up any remaining areas of muscle and joint tightness.
- Withdrawl from care and discharge once it is determined that the condition is resolved and you are doing well with your exercises, you will be dismissed to a home exercise program for approximately 4 weeks. At the end of that time the doctor will see you a final time to check on your progress and discharge you completely if there is no longer need for care. If the condition returns, more treatment may be provided and/or your home exercise program may be updated.
- Maintenance care Some people notice that regular chiropractic care and therapeutic massage help them feel great. Keeping the muscles relaxed and joints moving well can reduce stress and discomfort and joint pain and tightness. Some studies even suggest that this may help prevent future injuries and even arthritis. (joints that move well are healthier than those that do not). These people are welcomed to maintain a program where they see us from once every couple weeks to once every couple months. Insurance plans do not pay for this type of care, but we do offer discount plans for these services.