Rehabilitation Q & A

What is rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is the process treating an individual in order to achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible after accident, injury, or illness. Rehabilitation cannot reverse or undo any damage caused by disease or trauma, but it will help to restore the individual to optimal health, functioning, and well-being.

What’s involved in a rehabilitation program?

Each rehabilitation program will differ as they are designed to treat each person's specific needs. Some general treatment components for rehabilitation programs include the following:

• Treating the basic disease and preventing complications
• Treating the disability and improving function
• Providing adaptive tools and altering the environment
• Teaching the patient and family and helping them adapt to lifestyle changes

The success of rehabilitation depends on many variables, including the following:

• The nature and severity of the disease, disorder, or injury
• The type and degree of any resulting impairments and disabilities
• The overall health of the patient
• Family support

What is the physician’s role in rehabilitation treatment?

Once a diagnosis is made, Dr. K will design a treatment plan to improve function and movement. The program itself can be carried out by the patient alone or with the help of the medical team. The team is different for each patient depending on their needs, and it is not uncommon for the team to change during treatment to match the patient's shifting needs. By providing an appropriate treatment plan, Dr. K helps patients stay as active as possible at any age. His broad medical expertise allows him to treat disabling conditions throughout a person’s lifetime.

Why visit a chiropractor for rehabilitation?

Chiropractors are educated in a wide range of physical medicine and rehabilitation efforts to treat a wide variety of medical conditions that may affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. By taking the whole body into account, they are able to accurately pinpoint problems and enhance performance without surgery.

Consider rehabilitation if:

• You had an accident or you have an injury or chronic condition that has left you with pain or limited function
• You’re contemplating or recovering from surgery
• You have an illness or treatment for an illness that has diminished your energy or ability to move easily
• You’re recovering from the effects of a stroke or other problems related to nerve damage
• You have chronic pain from arthritis, a repetitive stress injury, or back problems
• Excess weight makes it difficult to exercise or has caused health problems
• You think you’re too old to exercise
• Life changes such as childbirth or menopause have created new challenges to your physical function.