What Should my Expectations Be?

What Should My Expectations Be?

Today in my Germantown office a patient whom if have treated off and on probably for a decade asked me, "What should my expectations be?"  He was essentially asking why he wasn't instantly better after he last appointment.  I told him that his expectations were too high.  

This patient has come in for care on an as needed basis like I said for probably a decade or so.  The last time I saw him was a year and a half ago.  Typically he would come in, receive therapy, get adjusted, and feel almost instantly back to normal.  I would typically see him two to four times a year.  He responded great!

I love when a patient gets better fast.  I have an ego, and I like to think I'm good at what I do, so when a patient is better quickly, and tells you how much better they feel there is a certain amount of affirmation in that.

Getting Better Quickly

Now unfortunately not everyone gets better quickly.  This particular patient is not the person he was when I initially started treating him.  He is now married, with three kids, in his forties, and gained some weight, like we all seem to do in our forties.  As we get older, we don't tend to heal as quickly.  That is not to say it doesn't happen, but generally it takes more time.

As far as expectations go, I would estimate about 40% of patients will have a great response after one visit.  That doesn't necessarily mean no more pain, but feel a good level of improvement.  The other 60% takes time.  That doesn't mean that I am going to be treating you every week for the rest of your life, but you may need care a couple of times a week for 3-4 weeks.  Not forever.  

Recommended Therapy Schedule

Now with this patient, I recommended just that approach.  Let's go after the pain on a regular basis for a few weeks until he feels better, and then hopefully his body will remember how it is suppose to feel.  At that point he may begin to again respond quickly and with any future episodes, and be a treated once and feel good type of patient again.

If you have other questions regarding chiropractic treatments, contact us at 301-972-9191 or sign-up at www.CramerChiropracticrehab.com for a free consultation!

Cramer Chiropractic Rehab maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us.

Cramer Chiropractic Rehab

12850 Middlebrook Rd #209

Germantown, MD 20874

301-972-9191

www.cramerchiropracticrehab.com

          

Chiropractic Care for Motor Vehicle Accidents

This morning after treating a patient that had been involved in a motor vehicle accident, she stated that she is feels better after receiving the care, but the pain keeps coming back.  Now in my mind I'm thinking "Great, I'm glad she is improving", and her mind she is thinking "Why aren't I better yet?"

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents typically cause what is called a soft tissue injury, damage to the supporting structures of the spine: Muscles, ligaments, tendons, and even discs.  Often referred to as "Whiplash".  The body will go through multiple phases of repair and recovery which ultimately will take a year or so for your body to fully go through.  Now I'm not treating people involved in car accidents for a year, but only the initial phases which tend to last about six to eight weeks if everything goes smoothly.  These are the most important phases which will allow your body to remodel any remaining damage to it's minimal impact.  This is also the phase most associated with pain.

Treatment: Chiropractic Care

The patient I mentioned earlier has only been treating for two and a half to three weeks, so still roughly in the beginning of care.  Now I also mentioned "if everything goes smoothly".  Smoothly has to do with what else is occurring in your body, and sometimes even your mind.  This patient has just gone through a battle with breast cancer and at the time of the accident was still feeling the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  I explained to her that her body is fighting multiple battles right now, and the whiplash type of injuries she sustained are relatively minor in comparison to the major conflict her body is recovering from with the cancer and the medications and radiation required to fight it.  When our defenses are down, it can take longer for us to recover.  Sucks, but our bodies have less resources.  If you are run down, it always seems that is when you get a cold or the flu.  Soft tissue repair requires not only Chiropractic care, but energy from your body to actually assist in those repairs.  And when your body has a lot of other pre-existing issues it can take extra time to fully recover.

I advised her not to get discouraged, it is still early in her care, and even if it goes longer then those six to eight weeks,it's ok.  She will get there, just a little more slowly.  After all it was the tortoise that won the race.

If you have other questions regarding chiropractic treatments for car accident related injuries, contact us at 301-972-9191 or sign-up at www.CramerChiropracticrehab.com for a free consultation!

Cramer Chiropractic Rehab maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us. 

Cramer Chiropractic Rehab

12850 Middlebrook Rd #209

Germantown, MD 20874

301-972-9191

www.cramerchiropracticrehab.com

          

The Highly Sought after UFC Competition

RecoveryDoc athlete Mike Easton and his contender Raphael Assuncao
The competition will be held, Saturday, December 8th. Dr. Rick Rosa of Accessible Beltway Clinics has worked with professional fighter Mike Easton over the years.


All of the details about the fight and the players can be viewed on the UFC's website ---> http://bit.ly/TFNym5.
Dr. Rosa, a revolutionary leader in the field of sports chiropractic therapy,  has utilized his famed 6 Pillars of Recovery Program, with professional athlete Mike Easton over the years.

Watch Video of MMA Pro Mike Easton

Mike Easton lifts weight and talks about his recovery which was shortened by 50% of the estimated time after treatment by RecoveryDoc.

httpv://youtu.be/NpGWILn-80s

Dr. Rosa, a graduate of New York Chiropractic College, has devoted countless years to the study and integration of chiropractic medicine for recovery and sports. He consistently demonstrates his passion for the advancement of chiropractic medicine through continuous efforts in the education and training of both the chiropractic and athletic community on the essentials of chiropractic therapy and recovery.Video of MMA Pro Mike Easton as he lifts weight and talks about his recovery which was shortened by 50% of the estimated time after treatment by RecoveryDoc.

Dr. Rosa, the founder of RecoveryDoc, works with professional athletes— enabling them to train harder and recovery faster. He ensures athletes not only recover, but are able to perform better and train harder in preparation for the field.

RecoveryDoc’s Six Pillars of Recovery cover all aspects of recovery for injuries and training. The Six Pillars include; awareness of state, rest, play, nutrition, physical and psychological – ensuring professional athletes, recover faster and train harder.

The role of sports chiropractic care has greatly evolved over the past 20 years and Dr. Rosa plays an active role in the continual advancement.

Watch RecoveryDoc Athlete Mike Easton, Saturday, December 8th on Fox!

This is an event you don’t want to miss!

--> http://www.ufc.com/event/FOX5#/fight/Raphael-Assuncao-Mike-Easton