The document discusses the role of chiropractic care in managing soft tissue injuries through the various stages of healing. It describes how chiropractic can help minimize pain and swelling in the initial active injury stage through techniques like ice therapy. In the passive congestion stage, chiropractic adjustments can help remove fluid, relieve pain, and restore motion. Throughout the repair and remodeling stages, chiropractic aims to fully restore normal motion, sensation, biomechanics and prevent excess scarring that could lead to long-term issues. The goals of chiropractic are to promote full healing while reducing the risk of re-injury and accelerated tissue degeneration.

1. THE ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN MANAGING INJURIES Swelling From Blood Vessels

2. THE ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN MANAGING INJURIES STAGES OF TISSUE HEALING – STAGE I: ACTIVE SWELLING 1.Swelling occurs for 12 to 72 hours / 2.Motion is lost and pain increases Goals of Care: Minimize pain, swelling Care: 1.Rest & support of injured area / 2.Ice to block swelling, pain, and spasm Muscle Spasm Restricts Motion

3. THE ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN MANAGING INJURIES STAGE II: PASSIVE CONGESTION Fluid trapped in tissues restricts motion, causes pain, & delays healing, Begins by 2 nd to 4 th day Goals of Care for Passive Congestion: 1. Remove fluid 2. Pain relief 3. Begin to restore motion Motion Helps to Remove Wastes and Improve Nutrition

5. THE ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN MANAGING INJURIES TISSUE INJURY CAUSES RESTRICTION OF MOTION DUE TO: 1. Inflammation & swelling 2. Pain 3. Muscle spasm Excess scar tissue with no motion With motion, healthy connective tissue strengthens joint

7. THE ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN MANAGING INJURIES Chiropractic Care should continue throughout the repair stage. It takes longer for tissues to heal & normal function to be restored than it takes for pain relief. Pain relief is not the only goal, Chiropractic helps: 1. Restore normal motion, function & biomechanics 2. Improve alignment of new connective tissue 3. Prevent shortening of scar tissue & chronic stiffness 4. Restore & maintain flexibility of ligaments and muscles 5. Restore normal muscle toe & coordination 6. Promote quicker, more effective healing 7. Restore & maintain normal sensation 8. Reduce the risk of reinjury and degeneration

8. THE ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN MANAGING INJURIES

9. THE ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN MANAGING INJURIES Excess scar tissue with no motion With motion, healthy connective tissue strengthens joint

11. THE ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN MANAGING INJURIES If motion is restored & maintained, tissues heal in a much more functional way Chiropractic Relaxes, muscles Restores normal position and movement

12. THE ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC IN MANAGING INJURIES GOALS OF REPAIR STAGE: RESTORE NORMAL MOTION, SENSATION, PROMOTE FULL HEALING, RELIEVE PAIN.