Chiropractic

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Integrative Medicine

How do you decide which treatment plan is best for each patient's individual needs?

Tailoring Treatment Plans: Finding What Works for Each Patient

Hey everyone, Dr. Sean back. My question is, how do you decide which treatment plan is best for each patient's individual needs? Well, in short, it's the treatment that helps them feel better subjectively and improve and function objectively. When a patient comes in to see me, the first thing I do is a thorough history. I get to learn what may have provoked that injury or may other factors that are not necessarily helping that injury to heal up. That will help me dictate what I want to do for an examination. Now, when you get an accurate diagnosis, you'll understand which treatment plans or treatment modalities may be helpful. The first step you do is a trial. If that helps them subjectively and objectively, you build upon that trial and progress it. Now, some people might hit a plateau or one therapy doesn't help when it helped before. And this is when we can start either modifying therapies or advancing their treatment from something that's more passive to maybe more active. Something more that I do versus something more that they do. So, everyone's gonna have their own individual treatment plan, but it shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all approach no matter what discipline or field you go into, chiropractic included. Everyone needs to be looked at as an individual. A trial intervention should be given. If that's helpful, we reinforce it. If it's not, we have to change it up. So, the treatment plan that's best is the treatment that works for the patient.

The best treatment plan for each patient is the one that helps them feel better and improve their function. An accurate diagnosis is key to understanding which treatment modalities will be most effective for the individual. A trial intervention should be given and adjusted depending on how the patient responds.

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When determining the best treatment plan for a patient's individual needs, it comes down to what helps them feel better subjectively and improve their objective functioning. I start by conducting a thorough history to understand any factors that may have contributed to their injury or hindered their healing process. This guides my examination and helps me arrive at an accurate diagnosis, which informs potential treatment modalities. I begin with a trial intervention and assess its subjective and objective effectiveness. If it proves beneficial, we continue and build upon that treatment. However, if a patient reaches a plateau or experiences diminished results from a previously effective therapy, we modify or advance their treatment approach. It's important to remember that individuality is key in developing tailored treatment plans. A one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable in chiropractic or any other field. Each patient must be viewed as an individual, and interventions should be adjusted accordingly. Ultimately, the best treatment plan is the one that works for the patient's unique circumstances.

Is there a limit to the number of treatments a person can receive in one year?

No Limit on Treatments, but Reinforcements Are Key

Hey what's up everyone, Dr. Sean back. My question reads, is there a limit to the number of treatments a person can receive in one year? That's a very reasonable question and I've never actually been asked that, but the short answer is no, it's not gonna hurt you, but realistically if someone is having to receive a specific treatment that I do to maintain or to help them accomplish whatever their goal is, if that's feeling better or performing better, there's something that's missing. Meaning when someone comes in, my treatment is designed to reset their system. Whether that reset is helping them perform better or heal faster from an injury. After that, they should do reinforcements. That reinforcement should be to help maintain what we just did. That can be in the form of stretching, strengthening, mobility, whatever the case may be. And then if that works, meaning they came in, I did a reset, they left, they did reinforcement and when they came back, whatever their issue was, was improving, they shouldn't need necessarily more treatments. In fact, we should start spacing them out so that they can be, you know, self-sufficient. So the short answer is no, there's not necessarily a number of treatments. We don't want to adjust them or dry needle them every day to the point where we're giving them too much mobility. It shouldn't hurt them, but realistically the the limit should be on us because we should be doing our job helping that patient be self-sufficient.

No, there is not a limit to the number of treatments a person can receive in one year, however it's important that treatments are spaced out and that patients are taught how to maintain their own health with reinforcement exercises.

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Is there a limit to the number of treatments a person can receive in one year? The short answer is no, it won't harm you. However, if someone needs repeated treatments to achieve their desired outcome, something may be missing. My treatment is designed to reset the system, whether that's improving performance or aiding in healing from an injury. After that initial reset, reinforcement is necessary to maintain the progress made. This can involve stretching, strengthening, or improving mobility. If this reinforcement works and the issue improves, additional treatments may not be necessary. In fact, we should start spacing them out to promote self-sufficiency. So while there isn't necessarily a specific number of treatments, it's important for us as practitioners to focus on helping patients become self-sufficient rather than relying on frequent treatments that may not be needed.

What types of injuries can be treated with chiropractic care?

Chiropractic Care: Treating Musculoskeletal Injuries and Beyond

What's up everyone, Dr. Sean here. My next question reads, what types of injuries can be treated with chiropractic care? The list would be very very lengthy. What I will say is chiropractors have been traditionally known to treat back pain or even musculoskeletal disorders. Nowadays, when I went to school, even though I'm in chiropractic school, we still learn a lot about physiotherapy and we even take a board exam on physiotherapy. And I have a lot of friends who are physical therapists that end up learning about joint mobilization. So I'd say they're not exactly synonymous between chiropractic and physical therapists, but the injuries that we treat are going to overlap quite a bit. What I would say is what we don't treat is kind of easier to understand. We're not going to be treating cancers, we're not going to be treating fractures, we're not going to be doing obstetrics or giving any sort of drugs. We can assist with quality of life and helping with pain level management, but traditionally the injuries that we're going to be treating are more musculoskeletal based. And then for myself, I did a lot of postgraduate training in neurology, specifically for like vision and concussion and TBI. So it's also going to depend on the level of training that your chiropractor has after he or she went to school. And it's also going to depend on state boards to say like, hey, we're the right stop first or we need to get you to a different doctor first. So instead of making this exhaustive list of all the injuries, what I'll just say in general is musculoskeletal injuries and then depending on the person you see, it could be a little bit more than that.

Chiropractors typically treat musculoskeletal injuries, but depending on the chiropractor's level of training and state boards, they may be able to treat more extensive injuries.

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As a chiropractor, I'm often asked about the types of injuries that can be treated with chiropractic care. The list is quite extensive, but traditionally, chiropractors have been known to treat back pain and musculoskeletal disorders. However, in modern chiropractic education, we also learn about physiotherapy and even take board exams on the subject. This means that there is overlap between the injuries treated by chiropractors and those treated by physical therapists. It's important to note that chiropractors do not treat conditions such as cancer, fractures, obstetrics, or prescribe medications. Instead, we focus on improving quality of life and managing pain levels, primarily for musculoskeletal issues. Personal specialization also plays a role—some chiropractors receive additional training in areas like neurology, vision, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries. Ultimately, the specific injuries treated may vary depending on an individual chiropractor's training and state regulations. Rather than providing an exhaustive list of injuries, I can say that chiropractors generally focus on musculoskeletal injuries and may offer additional expertise depending on their specialization.

What do you think sets your clinic apart from other practices in the area?

Dr. Sean's Clinic: Education, Teamwork, and Patient-Centered Care

What's up everyone, Dr. Sean here. My question reads, what do you think sets your clinic apart from other practices in the area? I love that this is the humble brag question. Well, first thing I would say is our dedication to education. So not only am I a chiropractor, but I've done a lot of postgraduate work to get certified in sports chiropractic, functional medicine, functional neurology, strength and conditioning, neurochemistry, and nutrition. Basically when someone comes in, we don't want to fit them into our model, and I think having a vast knowledge or a general knowledge of a lot of different disciplines helps us to realize that if they're in the right spot, awesome. If we need to get them there, we will, or maybe we can co-manage them. The second thing is we like that team approach. So when we say co-manage, we always like to interact with other patients, practitioners, or trainers, so everyone knows what everyone else is doing. That way that person is getting that holistic approach. Another thing we like to do is reinvest into our practice. So having some tools and toys, as I call them, is helpful because not always can someone just receive an adjustment or dry needling. We have vision tracking, we have balance tracking, we have medical lasers, we have a lot of different things at our disposal to give patients options. And then the last thing I'd say that sets us apart is we do concussion rehab, whether that's baseline testing before a concussion, or if you happen to get a concussion, whether that's sports or whatever the the cause may be. So one thing I've done is become board certified in functional neurology as a functional neurologist, and probably have over a thousand postgraduate hours in dedication to understanding how to treat brain injury and concussion rehab. So I'd say we have a few things that sets us apart, but the one common theme between all of that is the patient should always come first. We don't want to fit them into our model, we want to recognize and get them where they need to go.

We strive for a holistic approach to patient care, reinvest in our practice to give patients options, and specialize in concussion rehab.

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What sets our clinic apart from other practices in the area? Well, first and foremost, our dedication to education. Alongside being a chiropractor, I have pursued extensive postgraduate work to become certified in various disciplines like sports chiropractic, functional medicine, functional neurology, strength and conditioning, neurochemistry, and nutrition. This wide range of knowledge allows us to approach each patient without trying to fit them into a specific mold. We understand that every individual is unique and may require different approaches or even co-management with other practitioners.

Another distinguishing factor is our team approach. We believe in collaborating and communicating with other healthcare professionals or trainers involved in a patient's care. By working together, we provide a holistic approach that ensures everyone involved is on the same page.

We also invest in our practice by acquiring various tools and equipment. These toys, as I like to call them, go beyond traditional treatments like adjustments or dry needling. We have tools for vision tracking, balance tracking, medical lasers, and more. This gives our patients a wider range of options for their care.

Lastly, we specialize in concussion rehab. Whether it's baseline testing prior to a concussion or providing treatment after a concussion due to sports or other causes, we have dedicated ourselves to understanding brain injuries and concussion rehab. My board certification in functional neurology and extensive postgraduate hours in this field reflect our commitment to providing comprehensive care for these conditions.

Overall, the common theme that sets us apart is that our patients always come first. We prioritize their needs and aim to guide them on their unique journey towards optimal health without trying to fit them into a predetermined model.

What do you think is the most important factor in a successful chiropractic session?

Accurate diagnosis and patient education: Keys to a successful chiropractic session

Hey everyone, Dr. Sean back again. My question is what do you think is the most important factor in a successful chiropractic session? Well I'm going to actually give you two. Alright, so the first step is an accurate diagnosis. If we have the diagnosis wrong, the treatment might not help them improve as quickly as possible. So we want to have an accurate diagnosis right out of the gate. The second thing is patient education, right? It really helps to make people feel at ease when they understand and know what's going on, understand the timeline that things may take to get better. It helps us to manage expectations and set realistic goals. So I would say I don't have one most important thing, it's the two. It's making sure we do our job correctly and get an accurate answer what may alienate that patient and then educating them on the realistic timeline and things that they should or should not do to help them heal up as quick as possible.

The two most important factors in a successful chiropractic session are an accurate diagnosis and patient education. An accurate diagnosis is essential for providing effective treatment, while patient education helps to manage expectations and set realistic goals.

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The most important factors in a successful chiropractic session, in my opinion, are an accurate diagnosis and patient education. An accurate diagnosis ensures that the treatment is tailored to the specific needs of the patient, helping them improve as quickly as possible. Patient education plays a crucial role in making individuals feel at ease by providing them with a clear understanding of their condition and the expected timeline for recovery. It also helps manage expectations and set realistic goals. Both factors are equally important in ensuring a positive outcome and promoting optimal healing for the patient.

If I start going to a chiropractor, do I have to keep on going to get the benefits?

Do I have to keep going to a chiropractor to get the benefits?

What's up everyone? Dr. Sean here. I have another question today that reads, if I start going to a chiropractor, do I have to keep on going to get the benefits? I actually really like this question and I'm going to answer it in two ways. I'm going to be my own devil's advocate to this. So what I would say is when you go to the chiropractor, you're probably going for a reason. Maybe it's injury rehab, maybe you need some performance help, but the key thing is they should help you with what you're looking for. If that happens to be through joint mobilization or adjustments, then I would say you're going to initially keep going because that chiropractor is going to be able to give you specific care to areas where you're not going to be able to self adjust. And what do I mean by this? When you look at the spine or any joint, they're very specific shapes. So to be really specific and making sure we're moving what needs to be moved, it's all about physics and angles and so forth like that. That being said, once you got that moving, we should be giving you reinforcement training to help you move and maintain that. So if we can do that, you're going to be visiting a chiropractor significantly less and less and less. The times that you go back is when you can't self fix that, whether that's through stretching, mobilization, or exercise. So the other answer is, yeah, if you go to a chiropractor and you get the benefit from it, you should keep going. It doesn't mean you have to go once a week or even once a month, but it's like, you know, brushing your teeth or doing a good diet. Once it helps you, you want to figure out how much you need to implement that to either keep you at the level you're trying to be at, or maybe you do a little bit more to help you achieve a goal. So in short, no, you don't have to keep going. We should make you independent by teaching you how to help yourself, but there are going to be times where you can always visit us when you need that additional help.

No, you don't have to keep going to a chiropractor to get the benefits. If they help you, you should figure out how often you need to visit them in order to maintain or achieve your goals.

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If you start going to a chiropractor, do you have to keep going to get the benefits? It's a great question, and I'll answer it from two perspectives. First, when you initially visit a chiropractor for a specific reason like injury rehab or performance enhancement, they should help you with what you're seeking. Joint mobilization or adjustments may be used to provide specific care in areas where self-adjustment is challenging due to the unique shapes of joints and the physics involved. Once those areas are addressed and moving properly, the focus should shift towards reinforcement training to help you maintain that progress. This means that over time, you'll need to visit the chiropractor less frequently as you become more capable of self-fixing through stretching, mobilization, and exercise.

On the other hand, if you experience benefits from visiting a chiropractor, it's advisable to continue going. The frequency doesn't have to be weekly or monthly but should be based on your individual needs. Similar to brushing your teeth or maintaining a healthy diet, once something helps you, it's important to determine how much ongoing care is required to sustain your desired level of well-being or potentially even exceed it to achieve specific goals.

In summary, while it's not necessary to keep going indefinitely, a good chiropractor will aim to empower you with skills and knowledge for self-care. However, there may be times when additional professional assistance is needed and visiting a chiropractor can provide that extra help.

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Physician disclaimer

Dr. Sean Burkhardt,DC,FIBFN-FN,CCSP,CFMP,CSCS,CSPS,TSAC-F,PES,CES answers your Chiropractic questions. See all the advice Dr. Sean Burkhardt,DC,FIBFN-FN,CCSP,CFMP,CSCS,CSPS,TSAC-F,PES,CES has and get answers to your own Chiropractic questions.

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Dr. Sean Burkhardt is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner, a Board-Certified Functional Neurologist, a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, and a triple-certified Strength and Conditioning Coach with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He serves as a mentor and coach for an NGO helping prepare active and future military for special operations.  He has dedicated his postgraduate education to increasing his breadth and depth of knowledge in clinical neuroscience, concussion management, neurochemistry & nutrition, strength & conditioning, functional medicine, and neurological rehabilitation to help you achieve optimal health of optimal human performance. 