Pain management and treatment can be a tricky business, especially if your pain is relatively new and you’re contemplating the best pathway(s) forward. On top of trying to figure out which treatment is best for you, it seems like everyone has a different idea on how to treat symptoms of pain. From consuming painkillers to engaging in physical therapy, finding the right treatment method can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. That’s why, we at Lakeside Sports Chiropractic Center in Cornelius, North Carolina, offer a full spectrum of services, designed to help everyone create and maintain an effective treatment plan.
Two of our main areas of practice include our namesake, chiropractic care, and also, physical therapy. At this point, you might be wondering, what differentiates the two? Should you opt for chiropractic care, physical therapy, or a combination of both? Fortunately, when you attend our clinic, we can create a recommended treatment plan based on your medical history, current health, and desired objectives and outcomes.
That doesn’t mean you have to wait until you’re face to face with a chiropractor to learn some basic information about these procedures and adjustments. In this article, we’ll begin by defining chiropractic care versus physical therapy, and then outlining why you might choose one over the other.
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Defining Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy
Both chiropractic care and physical therapy are often used as tools and treatments to effectively manage pain, both chronic and acute. These two approaches share many similarities, however, there are some key differences, and deciding which one to choose will often be decided based on the nature of your pain and/or injury. For starters, let’s quickly define chiropractic care and physical therapy.
What is Chiropractic Care/Adjustment? A chiropractic adjustment is a treatment that is performed by a licensed chiropractor. Chiropractors use targeted force and pressure to manipulate the body’s joints and realign the spine. Chiropractic adjustments help to reduce pain and discomfort and can be safely implemented alongside other traditional medical care you may receive.
What is Physical Therapy? Physical therapy also known as physiotherapy or abbreviated as PT, is a care method that is often used to treat chronic pain and/or injuries. PT often combines a variety of targeted exercises that a patient will perform alongside the supervision and aid of a physical therapist. Like chiropractic care, it can be used to reduce pain and discomfort in addition to improving movement and ability consequently helping to rehabilitate all types of injuries.
Chiropractic Care vs. PT: Which One is Right for You?
It’s hard to provide a definitive answer to this question mainly because there are so many factors and variables to consider when choosing a pathway forward. While the goals and outcomes of physical therapy and chiropractic care are very similar, there are a few distinctions that set them apart. For instance, chiropractic adjustment focuses on the alignment of the spine and other joints in the body. Whereas physical therapists focus on improving movement and function throughout the entire body.
Generally speaking, the major difference between these two treatments lies in their execution. Chiropractors use manual adjustments and targeted force to improve joint function. On the contrary physical therapists use exercises, stretches, and even massage, to improve movement and promote function. Chiropractic care can lead to long-term relief and improved physicality; however, it is often preferred for those seeking more immediate relief. Physical therapy is often used as a tool for prolonged improvement and long-term recovery less immediately.
To reiterate, there’s no easy answer for deciding which method you should opt for. There are a lot of things to consider including the nature of the pain and/or injury, the desired outcome, the part of the body affected, and the symptoms you’re looking to treat or mitigate. Fortunately, this is a decision you don’t have to make by yourself.
Lakeside Chiropractic Provides Exceptional Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy in Cornelius N.C.
Our mission at Lakeside Sports Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy has always been to help as many patients as possible, as they navigate their pain and injury management journeys. While many chiropractors and physical therapists work in separate clinics and capacities, we’ve combined the best of both worlds, providing world-class treatments in both modalities. Yep, our clinic offers therapeutic services, enabling us to treat a wide range of patients with a full spectrum of ailments and injuries.
We believe in treating each patient with a customized plan that focuses on holistic wellness. This is why our clinic specializes not just in PT and chiropractic adjustment, but also in a variety of complementary services designed to maximize the treatments. At Lakeside you can also partake in:
- Nutritional Counseling and Planning
- Dry Needling
- Cupping Therapy
- Shockwave Therapy
- Laser work
- Digital X-Ray
- Motor Sports Rehab
- Weight Loss Services
- And more.
We even have our very own online supplements store, where you can conveniently purchase products from our inventory which includes supplements, vitamins, minerals, and much more.
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The Lakeside Difference Stems from Our Customized Approach
Ultimately, you can spend hours upon hours reading and researching information regarding physical therapy and chiropractic care. While it might give you a general idea of which treatment is right for you, to ensure optimal results and outcomes, you’ll want to get in front of a professional.
Lakeside is a world-renowned chiropractic and physical therapy Cornelius NC clinic that has helped everyone from professional athletes to sports enthusiasts find relief and comfort in the face of injury and illness. We create fully formed treatment plans after carefully evaluating each client. Through our recommendations and subsequent treatment plans, our clients have gone on to live healthy and happy lives with pain that is reduced significantly, if not eradicated.
To find out more about what we do and how we do it, come and talk to our exceptional treatment team today. We will help you to determine whether you should consider chiropractic care and/or physical therapy.
At Lakeside Sports Chiropractic and Physical Therapy, Dr. Jennifer Lidstrom and her team of experts Cornelius Chiropractors are here to help answer all your questions. Please feel free to contact us today via phone at (704)-896-8446 or visit us at our new location:
11220 Treynorth Drive, Suite A
Cornelius, NC 28031
United States
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Lakeside Sports Chiropractic and Physical Therapy or its staff. Lakeside Sports Chiropractic and Physical Therapy does not endorse or recommend any specific treatment, product, procedure, or opinion mentioned in this blog post.
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