Stages Of Care
The typical patient will encounter 3 stages of care. The first stage focuses on symptomatic relief such as the reduction of pain and other discomforts. The following stage addresses tissue healing and function normalization. The final stage consists of periodic spinal care to prevent the formation of new injuries, minimize future flare-ups of old injuries, and to slow the progression of degenerative spinal changes where that is possible.
Relief Care
Relief care is the first stage of care for most patients. The primary goal during this initial stage is to provide the individual with symptomatic relief. Treatments focus on those techniques and therapies which most quickly and effectively reduce pain and other discomforts. This will allow the majority of individuals to continue their activities of daily living. Patients are generally recommended to “take it easy” but are encouraged to stay mobile and functional so long as there is no risk of further injury or tissue damage. Therapies that reduce inflammation and muscle spasm are also used during this stage when present.
Corrective Care
The second stage of care consists of correcting the problems which caused and contributed to the condition and healing and rehabilitating the injured tissues. Unless these events take place, a favorable outcome is unlikely and future recurrences of the problem are likely. It is extremely important that the patient comply with and follow the instructions given by the doctor during this stage of care. Tissues and structures that are not fully healed and rehabilitated are prone to future problems. Sticking to appointments, complying with home exercises and instructions, and following all other recommendations will help ensure this occurs. Patients should also be aware that once pain and discomfort have subsided, tissue healing and functional correction is many times still incomplete and will often require additional treatments.
Wellness Care
Once the spinal tissues are healed and spinal biomechanics have normalized the patient will be recommended to continue with periodic spinal checkups. For some this might mean once per year, for others this may mean once per month or more. The reasoning behind periodic checkups is the same as for any routine health check. Namely, catching minor problems and disturbances before they have the opportunity to cause pain, discomfort, and irreversible tissue changes. Degenerative spinal changes often develop gradually and can be visible on imaging before they produce noticeable pain, which is why periodic reassessment is offered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does each stage of care last?
There is no fixed length, because it depends on how long the problem has been present, what tissue is involved and how you respond. Relief care is usually the shortest stage. Corrective care generally takes longer than relief care, because tissue healing continues after the pain has settled. Wellness visits are periodic and open-ended. Your doctor should be able to give you an estimated number of visits and a re-examination date rather than an indefinite plan.
Why do I still need treatment after my pain is gone?
Pain is usually the first thing to improve and the last thing to reflect actual tissue healing. Ligaments, discs and muscles that are no longer painful can still be weak, stiff or poorly coordinated, and tissue in that state is more likely to be re-injured. Corrective care exists to close that gap. If you feel fine and want to stop, say so, and we will re-examine you and tell you plainly what is still incomplete.
Do I have to commit to wellness care forever?
No. Wellness visits are a recommendation, not a requirement, and the interval varies widely from once a year to once a month depending on the person and their history. You are free to finish after corrective care. We will tell you what we think the risk of recurrence is, and the decision is yours.
What should I do at home between visits?
Follow the home exercises you were given, keep moving within comfortable limits rather than resting completely, and pay attention to the sitting, lifting and sleeping positions that aggravate you. Staying mobile and functional generally speeds recovery, provided the activity does not put the healing tissue at risk. Home compliance is often the difference between a short course of care and a long one.
Does DRX9000 spinal decompression fit into these stages?
When decompression is appropriate, it usually falls in the relief and corrective stages and is delivered as a defined series of sessions rather than as ongoing care. Not every patient is a candidate, and the decision rests on your examination and imaging. The DRX9000 table is located at our Boca Raton office at 307 Via De Palmas, so patients from our other offices are scheduled there for those sessions. Call 1 (855) 4-TRIMED with questions about your plan.