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How Can I Make My Chiropractic Adjustments and Acupuncture Treatments More Effective?
by Dr. David L. Wick, D.C.

Many patients ask me at the outset of their treatment plans what they should do to make their treatments more helpful. I’m always happy to hear that question because it helps me understand that they are ready to follow step one of the following plan:

1. Make A Commitment To Better Health—The beginning of a new treatment plan provides the opportunities to appreciate new healthier habits. One good habit is to keep the scheduled appointments we’ve made in order to achieve the maximum benefits of treatments. Each treatment builds on the one before.
   
   
2.  Be Aware That Healing Takes Time—Just as it takes time for disease processes to develop, it takes time for bodies to heal. Many factors affect the speed of healing; lifestyle, condition, age, following our recommendations, etc.

    

3.  Be Active!—For many years, people in pain were prescribed bed rest. Now the research proves that active people recover faster. We prescribe specific exercises for our patients, but some general activities can be helpful in speeding the healing processes. Within limitations, a good walking or swimming program, for instance, can help keep your joints moving and your muscles active. Click here for some basic information on exercises.
   
   

    

4. Be Attentive To Your Posture—Imagine what would happen if you were to hold a 12-pound bowling ball at the very end of your outstretched arm. Within a few moments, your tired muscles would allow your arm to fall and perhaps drop the ball. A very similar thing happens when we hold our 12-pound head in front of our shoulders. The muscles in our neck and upper back get tired out and give way to poor postures that may result in headaches, neck problems or upper back problems. Similar problems may happen if you hold your phone between your ear and shoulder or spend long hours standing or sitting in a poor posture. Be attentive to your body’s signs that poor posture is being used and correct them as much as possible. Feel free to talk with me to get some ideas about how you can correct your posture when working at school, home or office.

    

5.  Be Careful When Lifting Or Bending—Lift heavy items using your legs, not your back, by bending at the knees and keeping the object close to your body. Do not spend long periods of time bent over while working as this causes the muscles to tire out.

    

6.  Get Some Good Sleep—This step cannot be emphasized to much. Sleep times provide the body with the best ability to heal so we encourage getting as close to eight hours nightly as possible. Also, make sure that you have a mattress that properly supports you and a pillow that supports the curve of your neck. When sleeping, rest on your back or your sides and avoid lying on your belly. Click here for more sleep tips.

    

7.  Eat and Drink the Foods That Support Healing—Good nutrition is essential as it provides the raw materials used by the body to heal itself. I often like to use some good whole food supplementation as well as diet to promote the healing process. Also be sure to drink plenty of fresh water. Click here for more information on why I use whole food supplements.

    

8.  Be An Optimist!—We have found that patients with a positive outlook tend to heal faster.

    

9. Ask Questions and Be Educated About Health—We know that when patients are better educated about health matters, they get more effective, longer-lasting results as they improve their lifestyles. We want you to understand our treatment plans and what we’re doing to help you. Being inquisitive helps to ensure that we’re both on the “same page.” Check the articles on this website for some great information that may complement the work we are doing in the clinic.

When it comes to being healthier, a little bit of attention to these suggestions goes a long way.

©Copyright 2005 Dr. David L. Wick, D.C. All rights reserved.

This article is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of any illness. Diagnosis and treatment of all health conditions should only be performed by your doctor of chiropractic or other licensed health care professional. Please use this article for informational purposes only. This information does not replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare provider.