Studies have shown that chiropractic care after a work-related injury significantly reduces recovery time, decreases the need for hospital admissions, and is more cost-efficient than traditional medical care.
There are two main goals following a work-related injury, managing the pain and getting the individual back to work as soon and as safely possible. Chiropractic care can play an essential role in reaching these goals.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
Chiropractic is a branch of health care that focuses on correcting alignment problems, helping decrease pain, and assisting the body in healing itself.
The medical professional who practices chiropractic care is known as a chiropractor. Your primary doctor may refer you, but most of the time, a referral is not required.
To treat injured workers in New York, a chiropractic physician needs to be an authorized medical provider by the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB),
What Types of Injuries Do Chiropractors Treat?
Chiropractors are often thought of as specialists who only treat back pain. However, chiropractors actually treat a wide variety of injuries and conditions, many of which are work-related. If you’ve been injured on the job, in a car accident, or through some other type of accident, a chiropractor can help you heal and get back to your normal activities. Chiropractors treat hundreds of injuries and conditions. A substantial amount of work-related injuries are also treated.
One of the most common conditions is subluxation; this is a condition in which there is a partial or complete dislocation of a joint. Subluxations can occur in any joint in the body, but they are most common in the spine and can be caused by a work-related injury, car accidents, poor posture, or repetitive motions. Chiropractic care can help to treat subluxations and improve joint function.
Other conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, herniated disc, sciatica, and migraine headaches, can also be treated with chiropractic care.
When certain injuries involve the spine, a chiropractor can be beneficial to your treatment and recovery. Muscles provide movement and slight support for the spine. Ligaments provide the majority of support for the spine. Healthy muscles and ligaments keep the spine in correct alignment.
Specific work-related injuries can cause stretching and tearing of these muscles and ligaments. , resulting in pain and discomfort. In some cases, these injuries can also lead to chronic problems such as back pain or herniated discs. If you have suffered a work-related injury that has caused stretching and tearing of your muscles and ligaments, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. An experienced chiropractor can provide you with the treatment you need to recover from your injuries and avoid future problems.
Once damage occurs, these muscles and ligaments loosen, which will allow the spine to become out of alignment.
When the spine is out of alignment, it can cause pain, disc irritation, pinching of nerves, and decreased motion, to name a few.
How can a Chiropractor Help After a Work-related Injury?
A chiropractor uses a variety of equipment and techniques to help relieve pain and facilitate the healing process. Some common ones include:
- Manual manipulation – of the spine is the most common chiropractic treatment technique. It involves using the hands to apply pressure to the spine to relieve pain and improve function.
- Mobilization – this technique involves using gentle movements to loosen up joints and muscles that are tight or restricted.
- Trigger point therapy – involves applying pressure to specific points on the body to relieve pain.
- Exercise rehabilitation – this involves prescribing specific exercises to help strengthen and stretch muscles and improve range of motion.
- Adjustments – this technique involves using the hands or a special adjusting tool to apply pressure to specific areas of the spine or other joints to improve function and relieve pain.
- Soft tissue therapy – involves massaging the muscles and soft tissues around the spine and other joints to loosen them up and reduce pain.
- Mobilization – this technique involves using gentle movements to loosen up joints and muscles that are tight or restricted.
- Trigger point therapy – involves applying pressure to specific points on the body to relieve pain.
- Exercise rehabilitation – this involves prescribing specific exercises to help strengthen and stretch muscles and improve range of motion.
- Adjustments – this technique involves using the hands or a special adjusting tool to apply pressure to specific areas of the spine or other joints to improve function and relieve pain.
- Soft tissue therapy – involves massaging the muscles and soft tissues around the spine and other joints to loosen them up and reduce pain.
- Exercises and stretches – there are many different exercises and stretches that can be beneficial for people with back pain. Some common ones include:
- Massage therapy – involves using different massage techniques to relax the muscles and relieve pain.
- Heat or cold therapy – this involves applying heat or cold to the affected area to help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Laser therapy – involves using low-level lasers to help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Electrical stimulation – this involves using electrical currents to stimulate the muscles and nervous system to help reduce pain.
- Ultrasound therapy – involves using sound waves to help reduce inflammation and pain.
Each patient is different, and your chiropractor will tailor a treatment plan specifically for you based on your individual needs. But in general, these are some of the most common techniques that may be used.
All these treatments are aimed at getting the musculoskeletal system realigned, getting joints functioning again, decompressing nerves, and helping muscles to heal faster with less discomfort.
“When Should I See a Chiropractor?”
Lots of people ask, “When Should I See a Chiropractor?”. There are many reasons to do so.
Injury treatments such as surgery and pain medication can prolong your recovery period. Chiropractic care could be an option over surgery and meds, which could benefit you in the long run.
Chiropractic care is noninvasive and can alleviate pain without medications. Not only will they treat your pain and symptoms, but they may help with your workers’ comp case.
Incomplete or improper medical treatment and/or documentation can get your workers’ compensation claim denied.
If you’ve been injured in any way, it’s important to see a chiropractor as soon as possible. Chiropractic care can help to reduce your pain, speed up your recovery, and get you back to your normal activities more quickly.
Call (888) 590-4030 today to find an experienced workers’ comp chiropractor near you and get well!