Naprapathic treatment can be performed as a direct treatment aimed at the structure or function causing the patient's symptoms, or as an indirect treatment aimed at the area or areas that in turn affect the structure or function causing the symptoms.
The clinical assessment, which also takes into account the patient's individual circumstances, is crucial for how the naprapath chooses to combine the various naprapathic treatment techniques in a way that is optimal for the patient. This means that two individuals with the same symptoms may be treated differently based on their individual circumstances.
When choosing a treatment therapy, it is also important to weigh any risks associated with the treatment for each patient. These are assessed based on the medical history, examination, and clinical assessment that have been conducted. Supplementary examinations must sometimes be performed to establish a diagnosis or to determine if a particular treatment is appropriate. One of the strengths of naprapathy is the breadth of treatment techniques, which means there is a wide range of options for using different treatment techniques for the same type of injury.
Another important consideration the naprapath makes when choosing a treatment is to determine where in the healing process (acute phase, subacute phase, etc.) the individual is. Consideration is also given to whether the complaints are recurring and/or if there is an underlying pathology. This means that the treatment given on one occasion does not necessarily have to be the same on another. Even if it is the same injury that previously caused the patient's symptoms and was treated effectively with a certain method, the circumstances may be different. To achieve a good treatment result on another occasion, a different treatment strategy may be necessary.
Most injuries have a natural healing process if the body's healing ability is intact. If this is not the case, measures in the form of treatment and rehabilitation should be implemented in time to stimulate the healing process.
The treatment plan is therefore based on a long series of factors such as which structure is injured, what functional change is present, the extent of the injury, the intensity and scope of the symptoms, where in the healing process the patient is, the general state of health (including both physical and mental health), the individual's circumstances, etc. The treatment is designed with different combinations or choices of naprapathic treatment techniques such as manipulation and mobilization of the spine, nerve mobilization, and various types of soft tissue treatments, and is usually supplemented with exercise or rehabilitation programs and, where applicable, some form of ergonomic advice.
The naprapath tries to help the patient create a balance between mobility, strength, and coordination in order to maintain optimal neuromusculoskeletal function.
