Anatomy of a Healthy Spine   |   What Goes Wrong   |   Science Put Into Practice
Key Components of The Pettibon System    |   Active Patient Participation    |   Three Phases of Care

Three Distinct Phases of Care

Phase I - Acute Care

Acute care lasts from 14 to 21 days. For this phase of care, we focus on pain relief, restoration of your cervical curve, and getting your spine in balance. You're going to receive training on your home care equipment and procedures.

You'll be introduced to the routine of a clinic visit: performing warm-up exercises and stretching; receiving functional, neurological, and postural examinations by the doctor; getting an adjustment* based on the examinations and your x-rays, and wearing your weights. At the end of acute care, you'll be re-x-rayed and re-examined to assess your progress and qualification for the next phase of care.

* In the Pettibon System, an adjustment is performed in order to provide a temporary increase in joint mobility so that the rehabilitative exercises can take advantage of this increased range of motion. After you've done your warm-up exercises, you can take advantage of this increased range of motion. After you've done your warm-up exercises and stretching and are examined, you'll get an adjustment only if you need the increase in joint mobility. And that adjustment won't apply painful compressive thrusts typically associated with conventional chiropractic. Instead, it will be a distraction-type force that stretches the spinal column. This type of adjusting procedure is more aligned with biological functions and more effective for relieving nerve compression, pain and dysfunction.

Phase II - Rehabilitation and Correction

The goal of this phase of care is for you to achieve permanent spine correction. This requires a minimum of three rehabilitation sessions per week in the clinic for at least 90 days. You'll also continue doing your home care exercises two times a day. You stay in rehabilitation until your correction goals are achieved. For many patients, that's the minimum of 90 days. Others may take 24 months or more, especially if they have torn spinal ligaments.

Phase III - Maintenance and Supportive Care

Here's where we make sure you maintain and enhance your spine and posture correction, muscle strength, and endurance. Once a week for a year, you'll come to the clinic to do a full workout and receive a brief functional, neurological, and postural exam. If the exam indicates the need, you'll get an adjustment and then wear your prescribed Pettibon System Weights.

A Healthy Spine for LIfe!

What happens after you've corrected your spine and posture? Like brushing your teeth, you'll make the home care exercises a part of your daily health regimen. Schedule yearly check-ups and see us for emergencies or other changes that affect the health of your spine. 

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