A main factor when it comes to true health is having 100% range of motion in the joints of your body. Range of motion refers to the full potential of movement that a joint is able to reach, usually its range of flexing and extending (depending on the joint location and type). When you have full range of motion in a joint, you can move it as far as is anatomically possible during any given movement or exercise. 

Having the ability to use a full range of motion is important for many reasons, mainly being that it helps develop and maintain flexibility, activates more muscle groups, and when exercising, it can enhance the effectiveness of the move you are performing. Moving through the full range of motion during your day-to-day routine is crucial to your overall health. For instance, if you spend the majority of your day sitting at a desk, standing, laying down, etc. without moving your joints regularly, you may start to develop pain and/or stiffness in these areas.

There are many different ways that someone can lose their capability to achieve a full range of motion. There are certain medical conditions that affect the joints and limit range of motion, including: 

  • Ankylosing Spondylitis: arthritis of the spine.

  • Osteoarthritis : arthritis due to age and wear and tear of the joints.

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis : autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints

  • Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis that occurs in children 16-years-old and younger.

  • Cerebral Palsy: a neurological disorder that causes muscle paralysis and loss of body control.

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: a disorder where there is not enough blood flow to the joint at the top of the thigh bone, and causes it to die. 

  • Sepsis: a bacterial infection in the joints

Additionally, limited range of motion can also be caused by any kind of inflammation in the soft tissue around the joint, muscle stiffness, joint swelling or dislocation, pain, and fractures.


How Chiropractic Care Improves Range of Motion

There are many exercises you can do on your own that can improve your flexibility and thus, increase your range of motion, but it’s also a good idea to seek assistance from your healthcare provider so they can provide you with a therapeutic plan that can help. Many times, that treatment plan will include regular appointments with a chiropractor, as chiropractic care can lead to improved range of motion, and may also help to relieve any pain you may be feeling. Chiropractic adjustments help reduce subluxations and fixations in the spine and joints of the extremities. 

Dr. Gena Chiropractic, a family chiropractor in Plantation, is here to help you get your joints back on track. For those who experience a limited or lack of range of motion, there is a chance that the underlying issue has to do with your spinal alignment. A chiropractic adjustment addresses any problems going on in the spine, and can greatly affect your joint health. There are a few different techniques that chiropractors use when working on a patient’s joints:

  • High-Velocity Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulation Therapy: this is just a fancy name for the main thing every chiropractor appointment focuses on: the adjustment. A typical adjustment involves short, gentle thrusts of the joint.

  • Joint Mobilization: Soft tissue and lower-force techniques may be utilized to help achieve the same desired outcome. The Activator instrument, ART (Active Release Therapy), NUCCA and Network Spinal Analysis are examples of some lower-force techniques the chiropractor may use.

  • Some chiropractors include physical therapy sessions in conjunction with the adjustments to support the surrounding soft tissues.
    They include the following:

    • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: known as a Tens Unit, this device delivers electrical pulses that help to stimulate the muscles and nerves.

    • Ultrasound: this device uses sound waves to relieve pain and swelling.

    • Low-Level Laser: a no-heat device used to decrease swelling.

In addition to these methods, chiropractors may also use stretching, massage therapy, and heat and/or cold therapy to address joint problems.

Dr. Gena and her team of experienced chiropractic professionals will put together the best individualized treatment and care plan to help ease any pain or discomfort you may be feeling, and breathe new life into your joints. Remember, your health is in your hands; our hands are here to help!

To schedule an appointment at Dr. Gena Chiropractic, your favorite family chiropractor in Plantation, call us at 954-417-5815 or send in a request online.

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Office Hours

Monday

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Friday

Closed

Saturday

9:00 am - 11:00 am

Sunday

Closed

Monday
10:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Sunday
Closed