A Guide to Rehab-Based Chiropractic

What is a Rehab-Based Chiropractor?

Just like there are different kinds of hairdressers and barbers, not all chiropractors are the same. Some focus mainly on adjustments, while others utilize additional tools.

A rehab-based chiropractor combines hands-on treatments (like adjustments or soft tissue work) with exercises and movement training to help your body stay strong.

Wait—Not All Chiropractors Are the Same?

Nope! And here's a little secret: getting one adjustment isn't some magical fix that lasts forever. If only it were that simple.

What Does an Adjustment Actually Do?

To be honest, it helps—but maybe not as much as you think.

• It can reduce pain in a sore area.

• It can relax tight muscles.

• It can improve joint movement.

  
  

But here’s the catch: those effects are often temporary and not long lasting.

Do Chiropractors Really Put Bones “Back in Place”?

This is a common myth. If someone could actually shift your bones with their hands, imagine what would happen when you trip and fall or get hit in a hockey game. Those forces are much stronger—and your spine doesn’t fall apart then, right?

So, no. Your bones aren't being snapped back into place. That phrase is just a metaphor.

So Why Add Exercise?

Let’s use a simple example: imagine an old shed in your backyard. The door sticks. It's not broken, but the hinges are stiff. You give the door a push (that’s like the adjustment), then spray it with WD-40 (that’s like soft tissue or mobility work).

But to really improve it, you need to move the door back and forth—over and over—to get it working smoothly again. That’s where exercise comes in.

If you don’t keep using the door, the hinges may seize up again. If you get adjusted but don’t move and strengthen, the problem may return. Sound familiar?

The Bottom Line:

Rehab-based chiropractic care isn't just about treatment—it’s about training your body to stay healthy.