Looking Beyond the Spine: A Whole-Body Approach to Chiropractic Care
By Jodi Floyd,
Could Your Movement Patterns Be Telling a Bigger Story?
When you experience pain or discomfort, it is natural to focus on the area where you feel it. However, the body does not work as a collection of separate parts. Your joints, muscles and movement patterns work together as part of a connected system. For this reason, whole-body Chiropractic care may involve looking beyond the spine. A Chiropractic assessment can also consider how areas such as the shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and feet are moving and functioning.
Understanding these relationships can help your Chiropractor develop a clearer picture of your individual presentation and determine an appropriate approach to care.
Your Body Moves as a Team
Everyday activities such as walking, lifting, sitting, working and exercising require multiple muscles and joints to coordinate effectively.
Movement patterns can change for many reasons, including:
- Previous injuries
- Pain or discomfort
- Repetitive work or sporting activities
- Changes in strength or mobility
- Lifestyle and activity levels
- Differences in joint movement or muscle function
As a result, an issue in one area may sometimes be accompanied by changes in the way other areas of the body move. A whole-body Chiropractic assessment considers these movement patterns rather than focusing only on the area where symptoms are felt.
What Does a Whole-Body Chiropractic Assessment Involve?
Your assessment will depend on your symptoms, health history and individual goals.
A Chiropractor may assess:
- Spinal and joint movement
- Posture
- Muscle function
- Range of motion
- Balance and coordination
- Functional movements
- Areas of tenderness or discomfort
- Previous injuries and relevant health history
Where appropriate, the Chiropractor may also assess areas away from the site of your symptoms to better understand how your body is moving as a whole. The findings from your assessment are then considered together when discussing suitable management options.
What Role Does Applied Kinesiology Play?
Applied Kinesiology (AK) is an assessment approach used by some Chiropractors as one component of a broader clinical examination. Applied Kinesiology can involve manual muscle testing, during which the practitioner assesses how a muscle responds to a specific testing procedure.
Importantly, manual muscle testing should not be considered in isolation. Findings are interpreted alongside your medical and health history, physical examination, movement assessment and other relevant clinical information. At our practice, where Applied Kinesiology is used, it forms part of a broader assessment rather than being relied upon as a stand-alone diagnostic test.
Why Look Beyond the Area That Hurts?
Pain does not always tell the complete story about how someone is moving. For example, a person experiencing discomfort in one region may also have changes in mobility, strength or movement elsewhere. Identifying these factors may help your Chiropractor determine which areas should be considered during your care. However, every patient is different. There is no single movement pattern or treatment approach that applies to everyone.
That is why assessment is an important first step.
A Personalised Approach to Chiropractic Care
No two people move in exactly the same way.
Your:
- Health history
- Previous injuries
- Occupation
- Exercise habits
- Sporting activities
- Lifestyle
- Current symptoms
- Personal goals
can all influence how your Chiropractor approaches your assessment.
By considering the bigger picture, we can work with you to understand your presentation and discuss chiropractic care that is appropriate for your individual circumstances. Depending on your needs, management may include manual therapy, exercise, rehabilitation, movement advice, education or referral to another healthcare practitioner where appropriate.
Is a Whole-Body Chiropractic Assessment Right for You?
A Chiropractic assessment may be worth considering if you are experiencing:
- Ongoing muscle or joint discomfort
- Back or neck pain
- Changes in movement or mobility
- Recurring musculoskeletal injuries
- Difficulty with particular movements or activities
- Discomfort associated with work, exercise or sport
You may also choose to have an assessment if you would simply like to better understand how your body is moving and functioning. During your consultation, your Chiropractor will take the time to discuss your concerns, assess relevant areas and explain the available management options.
Looking for Whole-Body Chiropractic Care?
If you would like to learn more about whole-body Chiropractic care, speak with our team or book a Chiropractic consultation. Our Chiropractors take an individual approach to assessment, considering your symptoms, movement, health history and goals before discussing appropriate care options.
Book an appointment today or contact our team on (07) 3398 7022 to find out whether a whole-body chiropractic assessment may be suitable for you.
Individual responses to care vary. Chiropractic care may not be appropriate for every condition. Your practitioner will assess your individual circumstances and discuss suitable care or referral options where required.*
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