Chiropractic Care

 What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on the effects of disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints; including, but not limited to, back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is the “chiropractic adjustment”, also known as “spinal manipulation”. The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile or restricted in their movement as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation/adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility; thereby alleviating pain, muscle tightness and promoting tissues to heal.

Chiropractic adjustments rarely cause discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or tenderness following treatment that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours (as consistent with some forms of exercise and stretching).

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Doctors of chiropractic assess patients through the utilization of clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and the other diagnostic tools to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.

Dr. Richard L. Olson, BS, DC graduated Magna Cum Laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He has practiced in Wisconsin for the past 20+ years. His unique approach to chiropractic care has earned him the respect and loyalty of a multitude of satisfied patients. Dr. Olson looks forward to adding you to this list!