This Is What Gets Missed in Traditional Chiro Care

And how a movement-based approach actually fixes the problem

If you’ve been to a chiropractor or even PT or massage and still have that same ache creeping back, you’re not alone. We hear it all the time: “I felt better for a day or two, then the pain came right back.”

It’s frustrating. You start wondering if this is just your “new normal” or if age means living with pain. The truth? If your pain keeps returning, something is being missed in your care.

And it’s not you doing anything wrong, it’s the approach.

Why Patients Get Frustrated with “Traditional” Care

We see this story over and over in our Scottsdale clinic. People walk in with a stack of past appointment cards and a look on their face that says, “I’ve tried everything, and nothing sticks.” They’ve usually been through some version of this cycle:

Quick adjustments, short relief: A few minutes on the table, then out the door. Feels better for a bit, but the pain always creeps back.
Same plan for everyone: Every visit feels identical. Same adjustment, same stretches, no connection to their lifestyle, activities, or goals.
No real answers: Told they’re “out of alignment,” but never given a full explanation of why or how to keep it from coming back.

One patient recently told us, “It felt like they were just hitting the reset button on my pain without fixing the glitch.” That’s exactly what can happen when care only targets symptoms instead of the root cause of the problem.

What Often Gets Overlooked

Pain, especially for active adults, is rarely just a spine problem. Here’s where traditional care can miss the mark:

Treating symptoms, not root causes: Pain is often the last sign of a problem and the first thing to go away. If treatment stops at adjusting the sore spot, the real cause stays hidden. Mini Lesson: Think of pain like a smoke alarm. You can take the batteries out to stop the noise, but that doesn’t put out the fire.
Not looking at the whole body: Your body works as one connected system. A stiff ankle can affect your knee. Weak hips can make your back work harder. Shoulder pain can start in your mid-back. Mini Lesson: Next time you twist or reach overhead, notice if your ribs or hips move with you. If they don’t, another joint is doing extra work, and that is where problems start.
Generic rehab: If you’ve never had your specific movement patterns tested, you’re probably doing exercises that don’t match your real needs. A set of bridges and clamshells might not help if your problem is limited trunk rotation.
No strength or stability work: Without building up weak muscles and retraining movement patterns, the body will keep falling back into the same stress cycle.

“We had a golfer come in with tight low back pain every round. His old chiro only adjusted his back. Our assessment showed the real issue was in his hips. Once we started working on the hip, the back pain disappeared and stayed away. He realized where it hurt wasn’t where the problem started.” – Dr. Molly

How We Find What Others Miss

At Fortitude Performance Chiropractic in Scottsdale, we take a movement-based approach. Adjustments are just one tool. Our focus is understanding how your whole body works together.

It all starts with a complete movement assessment:

Joint mobility: Checking if any joints are stiff or stuck.
Muscle activation: Testing if your core, glutes, and stabilizers are firing when they should.
Movement patterns: Watching how you squat, twist, lift, and swing to spot imbalances.
Old injuries and compensations: Finding habits your body picked up to avoid pain that may now be causing new issues.

Your Plan is Built for You

When we know exactly what’s causing your pain, we create a plan designed to fix the root cause and get you to your goals. That can include:

Targeted hands-on therapy: Adjustments, soft tissue work, or dry needling to restore motion and calm irritation.
Customized exercises: Strength and mobility work that targets your weak links.
1 on 1 Movement coaching: Teaching you ways to move that reduce stress on problem areas.
Education: Making sure you understand what’s happening and how to keep improving.

“My favorite moment is when a patient says, ‘No one’s ever looked at that before.’ That’s when they see the missing piece and realize they finally have a way forward.” – Dr. Molly

Why This Approach Works

When you treat the whole body, you don’t just get temporary relief. You create lasting change.

Patients often tell us their golf swing feels smoother, their workouts feel stronger, and even day-to-day activities like bending to pick something up feel easier. Our golfers in particular have noted an average of 30+ yards per shot after working with us!

More importantly, they stop worrying about every little movement and start trusting their body again.

Mini Lesson: Strength and mobility aren’t just about sports performance. They are your insurance policy against pain and injury in everyday life, whether that’s carrying groceries, climbing stairs, or keeping up with your kids.

Don’t Settle for Short-Term Fixes

If you’ve been chasing the same pain for months or years, it’s a sign something’s been missed. You deserve a plan that finds and fixes the real cause so you can get back to doing the things you love without fear of pain stopping you.

Whether you’re a golfer, tennis player, hiker, or just want to stay active without constant flare-ups, we can help. Book a movement assessment at our Scottsdale clinic and see how our movement expert doctors can change the way you move and feel.

FAQ: Movement-Based Chiropractic Care

What is movement-based chiropractic care?
It’s an approach that focuses on how your body moves as a whole. Instead of just adjusting the spot that hurts, we combine mobility work, strength training, and movement retraining to address the root cause.

Do I need an adjustment at every visit?
Not necessarily. Adjustments are just one part of the plan. We might also use hands-on therapy, corrective exercises, or guided movement coaching depending on your needs.

How many visits will I need?
It depends on your condition and goals. Some people feel improvement within a few visits, while others see the best results with a longer-term plan that builds as they progress.

Can I keep working out while in care?
Yes. We encourage staying active and will guide you on how to move safely and effectively while your body recovers.

Is chiropractic care safe?
Yes. When performed by a licensed chiropractor, it’s a safe and effective way to improve mobility, reduce pain, and support long-term health.

What happens during the first visit?
We take you through a full-body movement assessment to find exactly what’s causing your pain. You’ll leave with a clear plan tailored to your body and your goals.