Where appropriate, our doctors will prescribe rehabilitative exercises specific to your injury or condition. By adhering to the exercises as well as the treatment plan, you will accelerate the healing process. Occasionally, patients will complain of tenderness in the areas that were addressed during treatment. This is a common finding because we are breaking down scar tissue and removing adhesions, which can sometimes create a slight inflammatory reaction. In order to combat this effect, ice applied regularly over the area will help to decrease the tenderness. Your doctor will provide you with information regarding the frequency of ice application as well as the specific location to apply it. Proper rest (8-10 hours uninterrupted), staying hydrated (half you body weight in ounces) and avoiding inflammatory foods (ask your doctor for a list) will help to accelerate your healing.
Our main goal when providing treatment is to remove the source of the pain. In order to do that, we must first locate it and then address it accordingly. Because we are directly targeting the painful tissue, pressure applied to the area can be uncomfortable, but we do everything in our power to cater to your tolerance level. A description we often hear is that “it hurts so good”, which is accurate because by targeting the area it produces some discomfort, but you can tell that it is doing your body good. Patients are so pleased with the outcome that any discomfort during the treatment is well worth it.
ART has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Dr. Leahy noticed that his patients’ symptoms seemed to be related to changes in their soft tissue that could be felt by hand. By observing how muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves responded to different types of work, Dr. Leahy was able to consistently resolve over 90% of his patients’ problems. He now teaches and certifies health care providers all over the world to use ART.
The majority of patients report improvement after the first visit, while for others it might take 2-3 treatments before improvement is detected. The response is varied depending on several factors such as the patients overall level of health, exercise history, pain tolerance, and individual characteristics. Most patients will experience full recovery after approximately 6-9 visits, but again this depends on factors such as the severity, complexity, and chronicity of the injury, as well as the patient’s adherence to the treatment and exercise recommendations.
Many patients find periodic follow-up visits particularly helpful so that performance chiropractic doctors may monitor their body’s performance. Just as patients visit their dentist periodically to avoid major problems, many of our patients return to ensure that small problems are corrected easily before they become more complex issues. However, you will never be required or pressured to receive maintenance care.
