If your question is not listed feel free to call us in Anchorage at 346-5255 or Outside Anchorage (toll free) 1-877-346-5255.
You can also fill out our information request form here. We will respond as soon as possible.
1- How will rehab help me?
Rehabilitation focuses on stretching and strengthening the muscles supporting your spine. This is important because your muscles play a central role in the amount of pain you experience. Whether your pain is from an injury, trauma or just everyday wear and tear, your muscles have been affected.
During the initial healing phase, your muscles tighten up to protect the injured area. This protection often causes pain and inflammation. Rehabilitation begins by focusing on reducing pain.
Once the pain is reduced, we then focus on increasing range of motion and strengthening the affected areas. We’ll then provide education on posture, positioning and daily activities to help prevent re-injury.
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2- How can rehab help decrease pain?
Rehabilitation is more than just exercise. While exercises are a part of the process, treatments such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hot/cold packs, traction and diathermy are also used. These help increase blood flow, relax tight muscles, stimulate the healing process, and increase joint flexibility. Education is also a vital part of rehabilitation.
Together, all of these things will help you safely use your muscles – and prevent your pain from returning.
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3- Why do I have to have chiropractic care and rehab?
Rehabilitation is complimentary to chiropractic care for many reasons. First, chiropractic care focuses on adjusting the bones in your spine and extremities, while rehabilitation focuses on the muscles supporting those bones.
Also, our muscles often contribute to spinal problems and visa versa. Strengthening and stretching those muscles will help maintain the benefits of chiropractic care. Meanwhile, having regular chiropractic adjustments will help maintain the benefits of rehabilitation.
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4- What is the difference between OT and PT?
Both occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) focus on the overall health and strength of your body. They also help you return to an active, pain-free life.
An occupational therapist, however, takes a look at your daily activities and how your pain is affecting your work and play. Then, they’ll work with you to find ways to continue your activities – with as little pain as possible. Physical therapy, meanwhile, focuses on reducing pain and rehabilitating specific areas of your body.
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5- How long do I need to be in rehab?
The length of rehabilitation varies depending on the individual. However, the majority of patients can expect the rehabilitation phase to last four – six weeks.
Factors that may affect the length of rehabilitation include:
Activity level
Obesity
Stress
Substance abuse (tobacco and/or alcohol)
Follow-through with appointments and home exercises
6- How can rehab prevent new injuries?
Rehabilitation will help teach your body the safest way to move and exercise. It will also help your muscles attain proper balance. This all helps you to move efficiently and effectively – minimizing future injuries.
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7- Do I need to continue exercising after my pain has decreased or is gone?
Every time you move your muscles, you allow fresh blood and oxygen into the area, helping to flush toxins and reduce pain. Exercising helps promote a healthy body – and maintains the benefits from your rehabilitation.
The bottom line is – the more exercise you can incorporate into your daily life, the healthier your body will be.
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8- Should I continue to exercise even if there is pain?
Rehabilitation exercises should not increase your pain. If you’re experiencing pain during exercise, it is important to stop. Try repositioning yourself, resting for a few minutes, then trying again. If pain persists, consult your therapist or doctor.
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9- Can’t I just do exercises at the gym?
When you’re not in acute pain, working out at the gym is encouraged. However, the equipment found at most gyms is not appropriate for everyone – especially rehabilitation patients.
The exercises and machines used in rehabilitation are more specific to your individual needs. Using this equipment, under the guidance of your therapist, will help prepare your body to be more effective when you do return to the gym.
During rehabilitation, your therapist will also work with you to design a post-care gym routine to help maintain the benefits of your rehabilitation.
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10- Why is posture important?
The way you position your body has a huge impact on the “little” damage you incur every day. Over time, these “little” damages add up – causing big problems.
When you hold your body in the safest manner, you minimize the damage to your body. That’s why posture and body mechanics are the first things we discuss during rehabilitation.
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