Chiropractic treatment is founded upon the principles of sequential care. At our Elma chiropractic office, there are three primary phases that must occur in a particular order to achieve optimal results. Think of it like building a house – you cannot put the shingles on the roof until the foundation is poured and the walls are built. By utilizing the three phases of chiropractic care, we can alleviate symptoms, facilitate healing, and improve overall wellness.

Acute Care

Acute care is the ‘foundational’ phase of care. This typically applies to patients who are desperate to feel better from an injury or condition that is causing pain or functional immobility. Examples include following a car accident or after an old injury or illness has been exacerbated. The goal of acute care is to halt progression of a patient’s condition, reduce inflammation, generate rapid pain relief, and achieve some degree of functional improvement. This phase of care tends to be more intensive than the others and may initially require more frequent treatments that gradually taper off over time.

Repair and Corrective Care

This is the ‘building’ phase of chiropractic care designed to begin addressing the underlying problem of your condition. It is focused on muscle and ligament repair, as well as rehabilitation. Once pain has subsided and mobility has returned, corrective care focuses repairing damage to the soft connective tissues that may still be lingering. This may include a combination of in-office chiropractic adjustments, as well as at-home exercises used to accelerate the healing process.

Once pain has subsided, it is important to resist the temptation to stop care after the first phase, as doing so can increase the chances of relapse. Corrective care helps strengthen the spine and minimize the factors that contributed to the original condition. Keep in mind that the corrective care phase is often longer than the acute care phase – especially in patients with severe conditions and those who have suffered with injuries for many years.

Wellness Care

Phase three of care begins once your body has thoroughly and completely healed. If your body were like a home, phase three would be the equivalent of preventing pests and protecting the foundation. It is the phase when chiropractic care becomes a routine part of your lifestyle, with the goal of maintaining your results and avoiding future aches and pains. This can include spinal manipulation, lifestyle coaching, dietary counseling, and other therapies designed to maximize overall wellness. By working closely with Dr. Michael Impaglia of Optimum Chiropractic, you can fine-tune your body and keep it in optimal condition.

For more information about the three phases of chiropractic care, please feel free to contact our office. Dr. Michael Impaglia of Optimum Chiropractic is happy to answer your questions and help you schedule a consultation.