Dooley Noted: 6/30/2014
At age 21, I received my first chiropractic adjustment. It was so beneficial that I changed my career goals in order to become a doctor of chiropractic.
While in school, I was equally fascinated and discouraged. I loved the science and autonomy to help with nutrition and movement care. However, I was frustrated by the consistently passive manual therapy techniques and requests to see patients several times a week for these treatments.
So, I let myself experience it for myself.
I saw a chiropractor and massage therapist 1-2 times a week for months on end. It felt great as I was being treated. But I was never really taught how to prevent my movement issues.
After years of manual therapy in school, I was taught rehabilitative techniques from some amazing professors. Immediately addicted, I started learning the powers of prevention by helping a patient with stability and strength, along with mobility corrections.
As I became stronger and more stable, I was surprised by how much mobility I gained. When I married the three – mobility, stability, and strength – I needed less and less passive corrections.
Is there a place for manual therapy? Absolutely.
Is there a place for stability and strength? You’d better believe it.
If you are arriving at your manual therapist with the same problems week after week, month after month, then you may want to consider seeing a chiropractic rehabilitation specialist or physical therapist.
Either of these types of therapists are trained to deal with pain while helping you correct the underlying issues.
Look for certifications behind their name, like SFMA, FMS, NKT, PRI, and DNS, just to name a few.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley