The Care You Deserve
Far too often in today’s healthcare system, patients are being let down by their healthcare providers.
We believe you deserve better!
You deserve to be guided back to health appropriately and efficiently. Too many injured and ailing people are not being thoroughly evaluated, therefore not receiving appropriate conservative care, nor are they given a game plan to prevent the pain or injury from returning in the future.
Even though this happens with many types of ailments and illnesses, this article will focus on musculoskeletal pain and injuries.
There are 3 fundamental aspects of care you deserve as the patient
1.
Comprehensive Evaluation & Assessment
2.
Conservative Treatment Options
3.
Prevention & Home Care
Comprehensive Evaluation and Assessment
You may have had an experience where the physician evaluating you provided a proper history and consultation, BUT A VERY LOW-LEVEL musculoskeletal exam.
Many times the doctor does not even take the time to assess the muscle tissue, joint function and/or the movement of the patient.
In many cases they perform a few orthopedic tests, may refer you for some diagnostic imaging, before concluding that you must rest for 6 weeks and finally prescribe you some medication to help “manage” your condition.
As a patient it is important to understand what you should expect from a comprehensive evaluation and assessment.
Your evaluation and assessment should provide you with a working diagnosis and the potential indirect causes of the pain or injury. The diagnosis should be specific and clearly communicated.
In order to determine an appropriate working diagnosis a comprehensive evaluation should include, but is not limited to:
A thorough History & Consultation
Functional Assessment: Assessing weakness, tightness, faulty movement patterns.
Orthopedic Exams, Range Of Motion, Neurological testing as needed.
Muscle and Joint Palpation/Testing.
Gait Analysis (if deemed necessary)
When a thorough evaluation and assessment is performed it provides the healthcare provider with the information required to determine the appropriate course of care.
Conservative Treatment Options
You deserve to have a comprehensive hands-on approach to your pain or injury.
Most patient presentations respond best to a specific combination of therapies. This may include muscle therapy, joint restriction chiropractic adjustments, rehab exercises, and advice on how to train and prevent further exacerbations of the injury. You may not need both the muscle therapy and chiropractic adjustment for all pain or injuries, but many will optimally benefit from all four approaches above.
Conservative treatment should not be a “one size fits all” approach.
At Southern Spine & Rehab, we individualize each treatment plan to fit your goals and health desires.
Prevention Training
There are many potential factors that can contribute to re-aggravation of your injury or symptoms.
These include over-use strain from work, life or sport, not following the prescribed exercises, or the lack of injury prevention training from your healthcare provider.
As an informed patient, these are a sample of some prevention options you should expect instructions on.
Activities of Daily Living Training: Many activities we do in our daily life cause physical strain when performed improperly.
Return to Work/Sport Advice: Proper time frame for return and potential modifications.
Body Awareness and Preparation: Proper lifting, bending, posture, etc.
Corrective Exercises: Core stability exercises.
Desk Ergonomics Tips: Desk sitting is causing many of your conditions.
Proper Equipment recommendations: Proper running shoes for a runner.
Skills/Technique Training: Golf swing technique from a teaching professional.
If you are looking for a clinic that listens, does not rush your appointments and puts your best interest at the center of every decision, then book an appointment with us!
In Health,
Dr. Kolten Pedigo
Chiropractic Physician
Marion, IL
