Understanding Corrective Exercises

Back on Track Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Birmingham, AL, often recommends patients perform corrective exercises both in and out of the chiropractic office. It's important to always follow a chiropractor's instructions as to which exercises to perform at home and which ones to avoid. Keep reading to learn about corrective exercises and why your chiropractor may recommend them.

What Are Corrective Exercises?

Knowledge of a person's physiology, kinematics, and biomechanics is used in developing corrective workouts. By using a person's unique anatomy, chiropractors can fix physical imbalances and improve a person's quality of life as a whole. Common types of corrective exercises include:

• Lunges
• Walking backward
• Lying shoulder rotations
• Calf stretches
• Overhead squats
• Retraction rows
• Golf ball roll for over-pronation
• Tennis balls for thoracic kyphosis
• Pull-ups
• Iliotibial bands for gluteus muscles and lower legs
• Foam roller for the rectus femoris

Appreciating the Value of Corrective Exercises

One of the most vital elements of using corrective exercises to improve a person's quality of life does not fall on the patient. Instead, the chiropractor's assessment of a person matters more than anything. Why? If the correct diagnosis isn't obtained, the chiropractor won't know which corrective exercises to recommend.

How Does a Chiropractor Effectively Assess a Patient?

Chiropractors can effectively and safely assess a patient using the NASM's Corrective Exercise Continuum. Using the continuum, it becomes possible to create personalized solutions that improve a person's unique mobility needs. More so, it allows a person to take advantage of corrective exercises that reduce the risk of future injury.

Four Phases of the Corrective Exercise Continuum

When chiropractors use the Corrective Exercise Continuum to treat patients, there are four primary steps involved:

• Inhibit
• Lengthen
• Activate
• Integrate

During the inhibit stage, the goal is to reduce muscular tension, improve circulation, and alleviate soreness in the muscles. The lengthening stage aims to reduce stiffness, improve posture, and increase a patient's range of motion. In the activate stage, corrective exercises help improve muscular endurance, increase strength, and activate individual muscles. Lastly, in the integration stage, exercises help enhance overall performance, increase movement patterns, and advance total-body coordination.

Who Uses Corrective Exercises?

Professionals in the fitness industry, such as masseuses, sports trainers, and chiropractors, often use corrective techniques to improve a patient's mobility and general well-being. Some suggested exercises come in the form of workout plans, while others can be done while going about your daily life.

Quality Chiropractic Care in Birmingham

Are you searching Google for a chiropractor near me? If so, you can rest easy knowing there are many licensed chiropractors in the Birmingham, AL, area. Contact the Back On Track Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 205-942-4243 to learn more about using corrective exercises to improve your quality of life.