Chiropractic FAQ Sheet: Injury Rehabilitation
Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.
By: Martha Michael
Life has a funny way of sneaking in those little injuries—whether out in the yard, accidentally stubbing your toe, or chasing your fitness goals and tweaking something on the golf course. Even the most careful knitters can find themselves with a sore shoulder or stiff neck after too many hours hunched over a project. Injuries and overuse happen at every stage, no matter your hobby or hustle.
Luckily, we’re here to restore your body’s natural function and relieve pain, stiffness, and more with a treatment plan that’s tailored to you. Chiropractic adjustments aren’t just about treating pain; they’re about getting you moving again, improving your range of motion, and preventing future injuries.
Why should chiropractic be a first choice for injury treatment and prevention?
When you’re injured, your first instinct may be to pop a painkiller, ice it, and hope for the best. But chiropractic care offers a more effective, natural alternative. Regular chiropractic adjustments could alleviate immediate pain while also helping to prevent future injuries by addressing the root of the problem—proper alignment.
Chiropractic care is a noninvasive approach to treating injuries that avoids pharmaceuticals, surgeries, and long-term treatment plans that can be physically and financially burdensome. Chiropractors focus on your body’s ability to heal, making it a first stop for athletes, weekend warriors, and anyone in between.
An article in the BMJ Open cites a study showing that patients receiving chiropractic spinal manipulation for lower back pain were less likely to need opioid prescriptions. Researchers found that tramadol prescriptions were significantly lower among patients receiving chiropractic treatment, underscoring the reality that treating pain with non-invasive treatment reduces the chance of having complications and side effects of pharmaceuticals.
A study in Washington state showed that workers who suffered lumbar spine injuries were less likely to have surgery if their first provider was a chiropractor. In a sample among 1,885 workers, almost 43 percent who saw a surgeon first had surgery, but only 1.5 percent of those who saw a chiropractor first had surgery.
What’s it like to visit The Joint for injury rehabilitation?
The best part about chiropractic care at The Joint? There’s no appointment hassle, no insurance dance, and no referrals needed. We get that you’ve got things to do and places to be. That’s why we’ve made it easy: walk in when it works for you, and we’ll help you get started with care.
During your first visit, you’ll meet with a licensed chiropractic doctor who will evaluate your injury and develop a customized treatment plan. Whether you’ve strained a muscle, hurt your back lifting, or tweaked your neck while working out, the chiropractor will examine the injured area and determine if an adjustment is necessary. The treatment could involve a comfortable chiropractic table where you stay fully clothed while receiving an adjustment to restore balance and reduce symptoms.
We recommend you show up in non-restrictive clothing—this makes your session smooth and straightforward. Typically, an initial visit lasts about 30 minutes, but follow-ups will take even less time. We know your tight schedule, so we prioritize efficiency without compromising care.
How can chiropractic care fit into sports medicine and injury rehab?
Sports injuries are a special kind of frustration. Whether you’re an athlete or stay active, you want to recover quickly and thoroughly. The Joint’s chiropractors often treat sports injuries, helping you return to peak athletic performance. From ankle sprains to shoulder strains, chiropractic adjustments reduce joint pain, improve your range of motion, and prevent re-injury.
Joint chiropractors, some of whom have backgrounds in sports medicine, understand the nuances of treating active bodies. They know how critical proper alignment is—not only for reducing pain but for boosting athletic performance. Whether it’s knee pain, shoulder tension, or something else, a chiropractic adjustment can support your body’s natural healing process to get back to what you love.
What are other common injury rehabilitation methods that people use?
At The Joint, chiropractic care is the core focus, but we recognize that effective injury rehabilitation often benefits from multiple approaches. Many patients combine chiropractic adjustments with complementary, natural, drug-free techniques to enhance recovery and speed up healing.
Some standard injury rehabilitation techniques that complement chiropractic care include:
- Stretches
- Exercises
- Massage therapy
- Physical therapy
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Dry needling
- Acupuncture
- Cupping
- Heat or ice
For conditions like neck pain or arthritis, chiropractic adjustments may be your primary treatment, but combining them with other therapies can often reduce recovery time and improve overall outcomes.
Why doesn’t The Joint offer other treatment modalities like massage or ultrasound?
Trained chiropractors at The Joint are committed to offering their patients streamlined services. By focusing on chiropractic adjustments, they help patients achieve maximum health outcomes and provide them with information and resources that empower them to seek assistance from additional sources of healing.
When we address your symptoms, our treatment goes beyond regular chiropractic care; our chiropractors also focus on preventing future injuries. The end game is optimal health and wellness. The approach to delivering care may be different from regular chiropractic experiences. Chiropractors at The Joint hope to address your symptoms and keep you healthy through routine, ongoing adjustments.
Chiropractors and staff members strive to maintain a convenient, efficient, effective, and affordable practice for patient visits. They know you lead a busy life and want to accommodate your priorities by keeping appointments short and sweet.
“Most patients who show up at The Joint qualify as a candidate who could potentially benefit from chiropractic care, and those who don’t are referred to the next best place,” says Dr. Steven Knauf, vice president of chiropractic and compliance at The Joint. “We do both, but usually we can see and help the patients who come in.”
Will The Joint’s model work for me?
Chiropractic care isn’t just for back pain—it’s a powerful tool in addressing many types of injuries. Whether you’ve experienced neck pain from hours at your desk, joint pain from overuse, or injuries from playing sports, chiropractic care can provide relief. Doctors at The Joint focus on assessing damage, preventing future injuries, and supporting your body’s healing mechanisms.
We’re not about cookie-cutter solutions. Each patient has unique needs, and Joint chiropractors work with you to create a treatment plan that helps you meet your goals—whether getting back on the tennis court, returning to work pain-free, or simply living without that nagging joint pain.
The benefits of chiropractic care go beyond healing an injured area. Proper alignment may help improve your range of motion, reduce joint pain, and help you stay active—whether that means chasing your fitness goals or keeping up with the kids.
We seek to make injury rehabilitation easy, effective, and affordable. We’re here to support you every step of the way as you heal, recover, and get back to doing what you love.
The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this page, is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise, and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician, or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.