​Why We Combine Chiropractic Care With Exercise

​4 Stages of Chiropractic Care: From Pain Relief to Wellness Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain, Back Pain & Musculoskeletal Health in Porter Ranch and Northridge, CA Presented by Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh, DC
Soft Touch Chiropractic – Porter Ranch, CA Chiropractic care does not have to be viewed as a single treatment for every patient. At Soft Touch Chiropractic, we think of conservative musculoskeletal care in four general stages: Relief → Corrective → Maintenance → Wellness The appropriate stage depends on the patient's symptoms, examination findings, functional limitations, lifestyle, and individual goals.
Stage 1: Relief Chiropractic Care First Goal: Help Reduce Pain & Restore Comfortable Movement When someone first comes to our office with significant discomfort, the immediate priority is often simple: Help the patient feel and move better. Relief care may be appropriate for people experiencing: Neck pain Low back pain Muscle spasm Joint stiffness Sciatica-type symptoms Sports injuries Whiplash or car accident injuries Restricted movement Depending on the examination findings, treatment may include gentle chiropractic adjustment, joint mobilization, soft-tissue techniques, therapeutic exercise, stretching, traction, or other conservative therapies. Research has examined the role of manual therapy combined with exercise for neck pain, with evidence suggesting that a multimodal approach can be useful for some patients with nonspecific neck pain. The goal of Stage 1: Reduce symptoms and begin restoring normal movement and function.
Stage 2: Corrective & Rehabilitative Chiropractic Care Feeling Better Doesn't Always Mean the Work Is Finished Once pain begins improving, our attention may shift toward the factors that could be contributing to the problem. These may include: Restricted joint mobility Muscle weakness Muscle imbalance Reduced flexibility Poor posture Repetitive movement patterns Deconditioning Previous injuries The objective is not simply to chase pain. We want to improve mobility, strength, flexibility, movement patterns, and everyday function whenever appropriate. This may involve chiropractic care together with individualized exercises and rehabilitation. A systematic review found evidence supporting manual therapy and exercise as conservative approaches for nonspecific neck pain, although the best treatment depends on the individual patient. The goal of Stage 2: Address contributing musculoskeletal problems and improve function—not just symptoms.
Stage 3: Maintenance Chiropractic Care Maintaining the Progress You Have Made After a patient has improved, some people choose periodic conservative care based on their symptoms, activities, physical demands, and personal preferences. This may be especially relevant for people whose daily activities repeatedly place stress on the neck and back, including: Prolonged computer work Frequent driving Repetitive physical work Sports and exercise Prolonged sitting Physically demanding occupations Maintenance care should always be individualized. Not every patient needs the same frequency of visits, and chiropractic care should not be presented as a guarantee that pain or injury will never return. Exercise, movement, ergonomics, sleep, activity level, and healthy lifestyle habits are also important parts of long-term musculoskeletal health. The goal of Stage 3: Maintain mobility and function while supporting the progress already achieved.
Stage 4: Wellness Chiropractic Care Supporting Mobility, Movement & an Active Lifestyle Some patients without significant pain choose periodic chiropractic or musculoskeletal care because maintaining comfortable movement is important to them. Wellness-focused care may emphasize: Joint mobility Flexibility Posture Muscle balance Exercise Healthy movement habits Maintaining an active lifestyle This stage should not be confused with treating or preventing disease. Rather, the focus is on musculoskeletal function, mobility, and helping patients remain physically active. A large review of research on manual therapy for neck disorders found evidence supporting several manual-therapy approaches for certain neck conditions, particularly when appropriately combined with exercise. The goal of Stage 4: Support comfortable movement, mobility, and musculoskeletal function.
Why We Combine Chiropractic Care With Exercise One of the most important lessons in modern musculoskeletal care is that treatment does not necessarily have to be an either/or decision. A patient may benefit from a combination of: Joint treatment + muscle treatment + exercise + stretching + movement education rather than relying on only one approach. Research has investigated manual therapy combined with therapeutic exercise for chronic nonspecific neck pain, and other systematic reviews have similarly examined the benefits of combining these approaches. At Soft Touch Chiropractic, this is why we look beyond the painful location and consider how the joints, muscles, posture, flexibility, strength, and movement patterns work together.
Gentle Chiropractic Care in Porter Ranch & Northridge Depending on your examination and individual needs, care at Soft Touch Chiropractic may include: Gentle chiropractic adjustments Instrument-assisted adjustments Joint mobilization Soft-tissue techniques Therapeutic exercise Stretching Postural recommendations Cervical traction when appropriate Flexion-extension therapy when appropriate Other conservative musculoskeletal therapies The treatment plan should be based on the individual—not a one-size-fits-all formula. Learn more about our approach to gentle chiropractic care. If your symptoms developed following an automobile collision, you can also learn about our approach to car accident injuries.
Which Stage of Chiropractic Care Are You In? You may be looking for immediate relief. You may already feel better but want to improve strength and movement. Or you may simply want to remain active and maintain comfortable mobility. The appropriate approach depends on you. A proper examination can help determine whether conservative chiropractic and musculoskeletal care is appropriate for your condition.
Schedule an Evaluation Soft Touch Chiropractic
​Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh, DC
11145 Tampa Ave., Suite 14A
Northridge, CA 91326
818-831-0100 Serving Porter Ranch, Northridge, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, North Hills, Reseda, and surrounding San Fernando Valley communities. Contact Soft Touch Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation
Research & Reputable Resources For additional information about conservative care for neck and musculoskeletal conditions: Manual Therapy and Exercise for Neck Pain — PubMed Manual Therapy Plus Exercise for Nonspecific Neck Pain — PubMed Evidence for Manual Therapy and Exercise — PubMed Manual Physical Therapy for Neck Disorders — PubMed
This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.
​Presented by Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh, DC
Soft Touch Chiropractic – Porter Ranch, CA

rel=”author”>Masoud Shamaeizadeh