Active care is a type of rehabilitation designed to adjunct patient’s progress through their therapy (chiropractic/physiotherapy) and to reduce the chance of pain returning. Typically, active care treatments are exercises customized for each patient. It helps patients utilize pain and discomfort as a tool to achieve balance in their bodies by allowing pain to direct intention toward either facilitating underactive muscles and/or achieving efficient movement patterns. Although the chiropractor/physiotherapist will perform hands on treatment on the patient in the office, they will also teach the patient active mobilization techniques and exercises that they can do at home. This adjunct is designed to improve strength, stability, mobility and flexibility. Patients are encouraged to perform these exercises on their own to help build strength and begin to correct any issues in their bodies that are causing pain. This also helps fear avoidance and catastrophizing associated with pain, specifically chronic pain. The biggest take away is that active care emphasizes participation and education on how to prevent problems or keep them from recurring.
Our current passive health care system is failing. Per the WHO, the US ranks #1 in health care spending while ranking a dismal 37th in overall health. Do not fall victim to the current system. At Great Lakes Physical Medicine, we take significant steps to educate our patients about the power of active care and the concept of taking responsibility for your own health. Schedule today and visit our website for additional information on our Blog!
