Physical Therapy Near Glen Carbon
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Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty focused on restoring movement, reducing pain, and improving overall function after injury, illness, or chronic conditions. It uses a combination of targeted exercises, stretches, manual therapy, and specialized techniques to help patients regain strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility. Physical therapy is commonly used for recovery after surgery, sports injuries, back and neck pain, joint problems, and neurological conditions. By addressing the root cause of discomfort and building long-term strength, physical therapy not only helps patients heal but also prevents future injuries. At Superior Chiropractic & Rehab, we integrate physical therapy exercises with chiropractic care to give patients a complete approach to pain relief and rehabilitation.
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Physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits for patients recovering from injury, managing chronic pain, or improving overall mobility. Through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and rehabilitation techniques, physical therapy helps reduce pain, restore strength, and increase flexibility. It is highly effective for improving posture, balance, and coordination, which can decrease the risk of future injuries. Physical therapy also supports recovery after surgery, enhances athletic performance, and provides non-invasive treatment options for conditions like back pain, neck pain, arthritis, and sports injuries. By focusing on both healing and prevention, physical therapy empowers patients to move better, recover faster, and enjoy a higher quality of life.
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Yes, many chiropractors are trained to provide physical therapy techniques as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. While chiropractors are best known for spinal adjustments, they often incorporate physical therapy exercises, stretches, traction, and modalities such as electrical stimulation or ultrasound to help patients recover faster and prevent future injuries. This combination of chiropractic care and physical therapy addresses both joint mobility and muscle function, giving patients a well-rounded approach to pain relief, rehabilitation, and long-term wellness. At Superior Chiropractic & Rehab, we integrate physical therapy into our chiropractic treatments to provide complete care for conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, and postural imbalances.
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Chiropractic care and physical therapy complement each other by addressing different aspects of musculoskeletal health. Chiropractic adjustments focus on restoring proper joint motion and reducing nerve irritation, while physical therapy emphasizes strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and correcting movement patterns. When combined, these treatments provide both immediate relief and long-term stability. For example, an adjustment can help restore spinal mobility, and targeted physical therapy exercises can reinforce that correction by strengthening the supporting muscles. Together, chiropractic and physical therapy improve posture, decrease pain, enhance recovery from injuries, and reduce the risk of future problems. At Superior Chiropractic & Rehab, we integrate both approaches to give patients the most effective path to pain relief, rehabilitation, and overall wellness.
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Yes, physical therapy is generally very safe when performed by a licensed professional. Treatment plans are personalized to your condition, health history, and comfort level, ensuring that exercises and techniques are appropriate for your needs. Physical therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free approach to recovery that focuses on improving mobility, reducing pain, and restoring strength. Some patients may experience mild muscle soreness after sessions, similar to starting a new exercise program, but this typically goes away within 24 hours. At Superior Chiropractic & Rehab, we carefully monitor your progress and adjust your therapy plan as needed to keep your care both safe and effective.
What are some examples of physical therapy techniques?
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Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) is a specialized rehabilitation approach that retrains the way your body stabilizes and moves by restoring ideal muscle activation patterns. Developed from the study of early childhood motor development, DNS focuses on how the nervous system controls posture, breathing, and movement. When injuries, poor posture, or repetitive stress disrupt these natural patterns, the body compensates with inefficient movement, leading to pain and dysfunction.
DNS uses specific exercises and guided positions to reactivate the core stabilizing muscles, improve joint alignment, and optimize movement control. This method is highly effective for patients dealing with back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, and postural imbalances. By improving stability at the deepest level, DNS not only reduces pain but also enhances athletic performance and helps prevent future injuries.
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McKenzie Method
The McKenzie Method, also known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), is a research-based approach to assessing and treating musculoskeletal pain, especially back, neck, and extremity problems. This method focuses on identifying specific movement patterns that either worsen or improve a patient’s symptoms. Once identified, targeted exercises and posture corrections are prescribed to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent recurrence.
The McKenzie Method empowers patients by teaching them self-care strategies, so they can actively manage their condition and reduce reliance on long-term passive treatments. It is particularly effective for disc-related low back pain, sciatica, and chronic neck pain, but can also be applied to many other joint and muscle issues. At Superior Chiropractic & Rehab, we use the McKenzie Method to help patients achieve long-term relief, improve posture, and regain confidence in their daily activities.
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Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)
The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is a clinical tool used to evaluate how your body moves as a whole, rather than just focusing on one painful area. Developed for healthcare providers, the SFMA identifies dysfunctional movement patterns that may be contributing to pain, limited mobility, or risk of injury. By assessing fundamental movements such as bending, reaching, twisting, and squatting, the SFMA helps uncover the root cause of musculoskeletal problems.
At Superior Chiropractic & Rehab, we use the SFMA to design personalized treatment plans that combine chiropractic care, physical therapy exercises, and corrective strategies. This approach not only addresses your immediate pain but also improves movement efficiency, reduces compensation patterns, and prevents future injuries. Whether you’re dealing with back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, or chronic stiffness, the SFMA provides a roadmap to restore proper function and long-term wellness.
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Strength Training Exercises
Strength training is a form of exercise that focuses on building muscle strength, endurance, and power by using resistance. This resistance can come from free weights, machines, resistance bands, or even your own body weight. Unlike general cardio workouts, strength training specifically targets muscle groups to increase lean muscle mass, improve bone density, boost metabolism, and enhance overall physical performance.
At Superior Chiropractic & Rehab, we incorporate strength training into many treatment and rehab plans because it plays a vital role in reducing pain, correcting imbalances, and preventing future injuries. Whether recovering from back or neck pain, improving posture, or training for sports performance, strength training helps patients regain stability, mobility, and confidence in daily movement.