McArdle Chiropractic and Wellness Center, in Cranston, Rhode Island, is run by a husband-and-wife team, Dr. Catie McArdle and  Dr. Robert Sedlor, who provide holistic care, integrating chiropractic techniques with advice in preventative care, nutritional health, exercise and proper ergonomics. The team offers chiropractic care for all ages.

The first visit is an evaluation. The patient articulates his personal goals, and the practitioner assesses the patient’s current condition and starts to develop an individualized treatment plan. McArdle explains, “A goal may be to get off pain medication, or it may be something as simple as being able to garden or do some other activity. Ultimately, we want our patients to be able to continue doing what they love.”

The majority of patients seek treatment for neck and back pain, sciatica or headaches. Both McArdle and Sedlor apply various techniques and tools, such as flexion-distraction, trigger point therapy, myofascial release and physiotherapy. Flexion-distraction therapy, for example, is performed on a segmented table that moves. Combined with the movements of the table, chiropractic manipulations stretch and decompress the spine to relieve back, leg, neck or arm pain.

Physiotherapies complement manual adjustments and can help to decrease the healing time of an injury, strengthen muscles and reduce muscle spasm, pain and inflammation. McArdle Chiropractic offers different forms of physiotherapies, including electric muscle stimulation, ultrasound therapy, hydrocollator heat therapy and cryotherapy with ice.

The patient-tailored treatment plan will include taking good care of the self and spine at home. Ergonomic changes, such as sleeping and sitting positions, are as important as manual manipulations and other corrective techniques. Treatment will also include physical and systematic re-evaluations, so adjustments can be made to the treatment plan.

The pandemic has led to a tremendous amount of stress for individuals and families. Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate the stress, which might include muscle knots in the neck, back and shoulders. Adjustments can also influence the immune system by targeting the nerves that may be blocking immune response.

Wendy Nadherny Fachon is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.