How Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Helps to “Rebuild” the Body

If you have suffered a personal injury, you may need more than just chiropractic adjustment to restore your health — you may also have to contend with weakened muscles, stiff tendons or ligaments, chronic pain, and reduced range of motion left behind by the injury. That is why our physicians frequently prescribe physical therapy and rehabilitation and other supportive techniques to rebuild your body and help it protect itself against future injuries.

An injury that affects the spinal column is likely to have repercussions throughout the body, not only from direct tissue damage but also through nerve impingements that impair function. For instance, a misalignment in the lumbar spine can cause bulging discs that pinch nerves and cause weakness, pain or loss of feeling in a leg or foot. Over time this interference with nerve function allows the muscles in the limb to atrophy and the connective tissues to grow stiff and painful. While chiropractic adjustments can help remove the nerve impingement, restoring normal nerve function, you must still rehabilitate that leg back to its normal strength and flexibility.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation involves a combination of carefully-prescribed stretches, exercises and manual techniques to coax weakened tissues back to health. It also aids in pain management by reducing stiffness within the tissues. But this therapy goes beyond simply getting you back to pre-injury shape — it also seeks to address any weaknesses that may have facilitated the injury in the first place. For example, if the “core” muscles of your back, pelvis and abdomen are habitually weak, you may continue to suffer back problems. Spinal stabilization exercises enhance the support to your spinal column, reducing your risk of future injuries.

Treatment and Wellness Plans

At Absolute Wellness Center in Eugene, OR, we offer in-house rehabilitation facilities and individual therapy programs, always conducted in one-on-one rehab sessions with our physical rehabilitation team, giving you all the tools you need to get well and stay strong. Our clinic also offers sports medicine, chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and massage. If you have questions about what treatments may be appropriate for you, give us a call at 541-484-5777.

You may be interested to read more about physical therapy and rehabilitation for auto accidents and whiplash or our blog article entitled Why Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.