This is a topic that comes up often, and not one that is elaborated on enough. I can’t tell you how many times I have encountered people, that when they find out I’m a chiropractor, their response is “Now I know who to call when I throw my back out!” or “I don't have back pain so I don’t need you yet!”
Now don’t get me wrong, I can absolutely help someone with a spinal issue, originally this was my profession's bread and butter! But like many professions in life, as time goes on, they evolve and expand. This is necessary, and chiropractic is no different.
Nowadays, not many realize exactly what a chiropractor can do beyond the confines of back and neck pain. My skill set and education has given me a huge tool box and knowledge base to handle conditions that arise in any area of the musculoskeletal system. Honestly, one of my favourite things to treat is hip and knee pain, yet that is always surprising to those that do not know any different, and that's okay! It's my job to educate you on my abilities.
All that said, here is a list of syndromes, conditions, aches and pains that you might not realize I can treat!
Headaches: Migraines with and without auras, tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, suboccipital headaches, vestibular headaches
Muscle strains: From neck and low back, too quads, hamstrings, calves, forearms, you name it. If it's a muscle strain, I can treat it.
Ligamentous sprain: Acute or chronic pain that results from an ankle, wrist, elbow, knee, or finger sprain. My methods will be geared towards decreasing inflammation and providing support to progressing into rehab to prevent future injury.
Knee pain: Whether this is stemming from a biomechanical issue, you fell, tore a meniscus/ACL, or are dealing with osteoarthritis, this is one of my favourite regions of the body to treat. Knee pain sometimes gets overlooked because what affects the ankle and hips can influence your symptoms as well.. But I’ll save that for another blog!
Tennis/Golfers elbow: pain management, supportive care and rehab/preventative.
Tunnel syndromes and nerve entrapment, muscle weakness and nerve pain. Think carpal tunnel, thoracic outlet syndrome, and sciatica among others!
Hip Impingement Syndrome: Sometimes impingement is as simple as releasing the gluteal complex, hip capsule and adjusting!
Arthritis management: From Osteoarthritis, RA, Psoriatic and others. I can’t reverse any of the degeneration changes or change your immune system, but I can help you manage pain and work to keep your joints moving and muscle tension low.
Scoliosis: Pain management and specific rehab to help support muscles that are weak and others that are tight due to curvature.
Pregnancy Management: I can help with pregnancy posture, can tape, treat pubic symphysis dysfunction/pain, round ligament strain, low back pain, sciatic and carpal tunnel that may arise when the body changes to accommodate a baby. Chiro also helps your body prepare for labor and delivery and is great for postpartum.
Infant Care: This includes helping with breastfeeding issues/latching, torticollis, colic, gastrointestinal distress, sleep, nervous system support as babies and kids grow and general MSK support through developmental milestones.
Keep in mind, this list is by no means exhaustive so If you don’t see something here that you have questions about, please reach out! I tell all my patients that I am an open book, and that if I don’t know the answer, I will find one for you!
One last note - My second job as a health care provider is to make sure you are in the right place! If I believe you need to be co-managed with other providers like acupuncture, PT, massage therapy or medical, I will help you get there. If you need imaging because we think something more is going on, I will always advocate for you to get you what you need. Your best interest and getting you well is my number one priority, period.
As always, take care of you and be resilient!
Dr. P
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