How Therapeutic Exercises Support Chiropractic Care in Torrance, CA

Chiropractic care is often associated with hands-on treatment, but manual therapy is not the only approach that may be included in a care plan.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that chiropractic treatment may also include exercise in addition to manual therapy.

That makes therapeutic exercise an important topic for patients who want to understand how movement-based care may complement chiropractic care in Torrance, CA .

Unlike a general fitness routine, therapeutic exercises are selected with a particular movement or functional objective in mind. The specific exercises, amount of movement, and progression should depend on the individual rather than following a universal program.

What Are Therapeutic Exercises?

Therapeutic exercises are structured movements used with a specific functional or movement goal in mind.

They differ from a general workout because the exercise selection can be based on information gathered during a consultation and physical evaluation.

The exercise itself does not need to be complicated. What matters is why the movement is being used, how it is performed, and whether it is appropriate for the individual.

What Can Therapeutic Exercises Focus On?

Exercise selection can vary substantially from one patient to another. Depending on the evaluation and goals, therapeutic exercise may focus on one or several aspects of movement.

How Can Therapeutic Exercises Complement Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care may involve several approaches rather than relying exclusively on one type of treatment.

NCCIH notes that exercise may be used as part of chiropractic treatment alongside manual therapy. Exercise and hands-on care serve different purposes, so they should not be treated as interchangeable.

For example, a hands-on technique may be used when appropriate for joint movement, while exercise may give the patient an active movement task to practice.

Depending on the patient's care plan, therapeutic exercises may also be considered alongside joint manipulation and mobilization or therapeutic modalities .

Why Therapeutic Exercises Should Be Individualized

The fact that an exercise is useful for one person does not mean that the same movement, resistance, range, or repetition is appropriate for everyone.

Individual exercise guidance can take into account relevant health history, movement findings, current activity level, limitations, previous injuries, goals, and how a person responds to the movement.

This is one reason a new patient consultation and chiropractic evaluation can be important before recommendations are made.

Mobility, Flexibility and Strength Are Different

Patients sometimes use the words mobility, flexibility and strength interchangeably, but they describe different aspects of physical function.

A therapeutic exercise plan may address more than one of these areas depending on the individual patient's needs.

Why Exercise Progression Matters

Therapeutic exercise is not only about which movement is selected. The amount of challenge also matters.

An exercise can potentially be modified by changing the range of motion, resistance, number of repetitions, duration, balance demand, speed, or complexity.

A movement that is appropriate at one stage may later become too easy, while an exercise that is initially too difficult may need to be simplified.

What About Therapeutic Exercises at Home?

Home exercises can make movement practice more convenient, but patients should understand what they have been asked to do before performing an exercise independently.

If an exercise causes unexpected or concerning symptoms, stop and contact an appropriate healthcare professional rather than simply increasing the intensity or continuing through the problem.

Questions to Ask About Therapeutic Exercises

Understanding the purpose of an exercise can make it easier to perform the movement correctly and recognize when guidance may need to be updated.

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