If you've been to see a chiropractor recently, you might have been surprised to see that his office looked more like a gym or a physical therapist's practice than a standard clinic. As chiropractic practitioners learn more about the advantages of exercise in healing back pain, exercise equipment is moving into the chiropractic setting. Knowing what to expect can help you get the most out of your treatment.
Advantages of Exercise in Chiropractic Care
Though some chiropractors still base their practices on spinal manipulation only, others have recognized their therapeutic effects of exercise. Exercise helps build strength and endurance in damaged muscles that surround the spine, which helps you regain pre-injury function, reports chiropractor Michael P. Thille of Dynamic Chiropractic. Thille also reports exercise helps increase blood flow to damaged areas, which helps promote healing.
Fitness Balls Or Wobble Chairs
Two pieces of exercise equipment you might see in a chiropractor's office are fitness balls and wobble chairs. Fitness balls -- also called stability balls or Swiss balls -- and wobble chairs work on the same principle; when you sit on them, you have to constantly adjust your position to maintain your balance. This, according to chiropractor Luke Martin, reduces strain on the spine, especially when you sit on the ball to do back stretches.
Weights
You might also see weights in a chiropractic office. Small offices might use dumbbells, though larger offices may have weight machines, such as the cable weight machines recommended by Dynamic Chiropractic. Weights help build your strength, but they can also do other things. Martin has clients wear specially designed weights on their heads; this builds neck strength while correcting bad posture.
Cardio Equipment
You may also see low-impact cardio equipment in a chiropractors office. Dynamic Chiropractic recommends treadmills, stationary bikes and stair climbing machines; these allow you to get your heart rate up and build your strength without putting stress on your skeleton. If you have a choice of equipment, go with an elliptical machine. Elliptical provides a complete workout with less stress on the body than treadmills, reports the Mayo Clinic website.
Considerations
As with all exercise, you need to be careful when you've been injured. A competent chiropractor will always design an exercise program based on your specific needs and ability level. He should also demonstrate all exercises and answer any questions you have. If you don't feel comfortable with something, or an exercise causes pain, make sure to let your provider know.
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