Dr. Callie Lance, owner of Chattanooga Sports Chiropractic Institute, is changing the way Chattanooga thinks when they hear “chiropractic.” How? First of all, Dr. Lance is adamant to point out that “chiropractic is a profession, not a treatment”. While different chiropractors may approach patients and treatments in a variety of ways, she strives to restore better body motion and function through spinal manipulation, but also works with the soft tissues of the body and focuses on restoring mobility and balance to improve overall performance.
The definition of Chiropractic is “a system of integrative medicine based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of joint dysfunctions, especially those of the spinal column.” This leads to a philosophy and approach of treating the body as a whole system, rather than just focusing on the pain area. Pain is the last symptom to arise and the first symptom to subside, but Dr. Lance feels that approaching the cause of the pain is more valuable in overcoming the problem while also being more effective in preventing its return. Chiropractic care can be used to treat a wide range of problems and is often viewed as the treatment of choice for conditions that are musculoskeletal in nature.
Why is an athlete or an active individual encouraged to visit a chiropractor, even if they don’t have pain? Evaluating the body as a whole (since different areas are dependent on each other for proper movement, balance and function) is the most effective way to determine areas of accommodation or compensation that can lead to discomfort or poor performance over time. Recognizing why these imbalances are occurring leads to a more effective management of them before they affect the body negatively.
For instance, you may be able learn a different breathing technique that increases your core stability which, in turn, leads to a faster run pace or more efficient weightlifting effort. Better workstation ergonomics and posture may take the tension off your shoulders while you work on your computer, leading to less stress, strain, and discomfort. A muscular dysfunction in your lower spine and hip area can be the beginning of a compensation pattern leading to pain in the shoulder area.
Dr. Lance takes pride in her ability “play detective” in her efforts to get to source of existing complaints and also to prevent other problems from occurring while helping to maximize endurance, coordination, and performance.
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