There’s a rising popularity of chiropractic care for people looking to enhance overall well-being, improve mobility, and relieve pain. So what is chiropractic care? Regardless of whether you are new to chiropractic care or you have considered it before, this blog will help you understand its overall role in improving your health.
More so, this article will explain how chiropractic treatment will assist you by explaining what exactly chiropractors do and the techniques they use. Last but not least we’ll break down common misconceptions around chiropractic care as well as recommend situations when chiropractic care is the best treatment for you.
What is Chiropractic Care?
So what is chiropractic care? Chiropractic care refers to a type of healthcare with a focus on diagnosing and treating disorders that are related to the spine, nervous system, and muscles. Chiropractic care involves using hands-on techniques called adjustments to align the spine, therefore restoring the proper function of the body. These adjustments’ main aim is to improve posture, promote healing, and relieve pain without using medication or surgery.
How Chiropractic Care Works
adjusted. This is because, when your body is out of alignment, there’s discomfort and pain due to the pressure it puts on the nerves. Now, to realign the spine, improve mobility, and relieve tension in the muscles, chiropractors use various techniques or ‘adjustments’. With constant repetition, these adjustments eventually reduce pain and allow your body to function better.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic treatment has a wide variety of benefits , For example if you suffer from joint stiffness, neck pains, back pains, and headaches, chiropractic care has been one of the most effective methods of treatment. More so, people also sought chiropractic care to improve their posture, prevent injuries, and for general wellness. Besides these chiropractic care also helps with:
- Pain relief
- Reduced tension
- Better posture
- Reduced stress
- Improved mobility
- Enhanced overall well-being
Common Chiropractic Techniques
With different conditions that chiropractic care may treat, chiropractors apply a variety of techniques or ‘adjustments’. However, regardless of the technique, they all have this in common – they all aim to realign the spine and restore the natural way the body functions. Below, we’ll explore the common techniques or ‘adjustments’ that chiropractors use.
1. Spinal Manipulation
One of the most common techniques used by chiropractors is spinal manipulation which is also known as chiropractic adjustment. With spinal manipulation, chiropractors mainly use their hands or a tool to apply a controlled force to a joint in your spine. The main objective is usually to release gas from this joint, reducing pain, relieving tension, and ultimately restoring the range of motion in the joint. Occasionally, during spinal manipulation, there’s a ‘popping sound’ that results from the release of the gas from the joint.
When Spinal Manipulation is Used
Typically, chiropractors use spinal manipulation with patients who experience neck pains, back pains, and headaches. More so, spinal manipulation can assist patients with joint conditions, for example, knee pain or shoulder pains. Ultimately, for most people, spinal manipulations have been very effective in improving mobility and reducing pain.
2. Soft Tissue Therapy
For the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, soft tissue therapy is one of the most popular techniques chiropractors use. Usually, soft tissue therapy involves massage, stretching, or other related methods primarily to relieve tension and improve circulation. In general, soft tissue therapy is most useful for treating muscle spasms, injuries, and stiffness.
Benefits of Soft Tissue Therapy
Besides improving blood flow to the affected area, soft tissue therapy also helps break down scar tissue and reduce inflammation. Consequently, this leads to faster healing and less pain. Most often, soft tissue therapy is used alongside spinal manipulation for a wholesome approach to treatment.
3. Mobilization
Mobilization is a gentle technique that mainly involves moving the joints slowly. Unlike spinal manipulation which uses quick and controlled force, mobilization uses stretches to gradually increase the range of motion in the joints. Mobilization is particularly popular with people who may not be able to handle more aggressive treatments – like the spinal manipulation adjustment.
Who Can Benefit from Mobilization?
As stated above, mobilization is popular with people who may not be able to handle aggressive treatments. These may include older adults, people with weak and brittle bones, or those with a phobia of forceful adjustments. Although mobilization is gentle and takes time, it is an effective way to reduce stiffness while also restoring joint movements.
4. The Activator Method
Another method that chiropractors use is the activator method. It is a technique where the chiropractor uses a small handheld device to deliver quick, low-force impulses to specific points on your spine or joints. The tool that the chiropractor uses is specifically designed to help with precise adjustments with little or no discomfort. Usually, the activator method is used with patients who may not be able to tolerate traditional spinal manipulation.
When is the Activator Method Used?
The activator method is mostly used to treat joint pain, certain spine-related issues, and headaches. It comes highly recommended for people who prefer gentle chiropractic treatment or whose issue require more precise adjustment.
5. Flexion-Distraction
Flexion distraction is a chiropractic adjustment technique that involves using a special table that gently stretches your spine. Chiropractors mostly use Flexion-Distraction to treat sciatica, herniated discs, and other lower back conditions. Using the table, the chiropractor creates rhythmic movements, which help relieve pressure on the spine, therefore promoting healing.
Benefits of Flexion-Distraction
Flexion distraction is a proven and excellent way of relieving pain that is caused by compressed nerves or bulging discs. More so, due to its non-invasive way of creating space between vertebrae, it allows the discs to heal, thereby reducing pain in the lower back.
Conditions Treated by Chiropractic Care
While chiropractic treatment is mostly used to treat pain, it is also used to treat other conditions. They include a wide range of nervous systems as well as musculoskeletal conditions. Listed below are the most common conditions that chiropractors treat.
1. Back Pain
One of the most common reasons why people seek chiropractic care is back pains. Back pains can be caused by a wide variety of reasons such as an injury, a sedentary lifestyle, or poor posture. Regardless of the cause, chiropractic care can be used to relieve tension and reduce back pain. Overall, in the treatment of back pains, aligning and restoring the spine plays a crucial role in back pain chiropractic adjustment.
2. Neck Pain
Another common condition that can be treated with chiropractic care is neck pain. Normally, neck pain is caused by poor posture or spending long hours at a desk. Regardless of the cause neck pains can be effectively treated with chiropractic care. A chiropractor usually applies gentle adjustments to help relieve tension, reduce stiffness, and improve mobility in the neck muscles.
3. Headaches
If you regularly suffer from migraines or headaches, chiropractic treatment is highly recommended. Headaches are often caused by misalignment in the spine, particularly in the neck area. When headaches result this way, chiropractic treatment can correct these misalignments, reducing the severity and frequency of these headaches.
4. Sciatica
Sciatica refers to a condition whereby the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down to your legs. When this nerve is compressed or irritated, it can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the lower back and legs. With chiropractic adjustments, one can be relieved of the pressure in the sciatic nerve, thereby reducing discomfort and pain.
5. Sports Injuries
With sports, sometimes one may have one or more injuries. Sports injuries may occur in the spine, muscles, or the joints. Whether it’s a strain, sprain, or more serious injury, chiropractors can apply chiropractic adjustments the speed up recovery or even help prevent future injuries.
What to Expect During a Chiropractic Visit
So what can you expect during a chiropractic visit? Typically, a chiropractic visit begins with the chiropractor assessing your situation. The chiropractor may ask about your symptoms, medical history, or any specific concerns that you might have. Additionally, the chiropractor will conduct a physical examination, and assess your posture, range of motion, as well as any discomfort you might have. The chiropractor will then recommend a chiropractic adjustment technique or technique that is best suited for your situation.
The Chiropractic Adjustment Process
As stated above, the chiropractor first assesses and then recommends a chiropractic adjustment plan according to your situation. The chiropractic adjustment plan may involve one or more of the chiropractic adjustment techniques such as spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, or other techniques depending on your condition. Usually, chiropractic adjustments are quick and painless although you may feel some pressure during the manipulation. While most of the chiropractic adjustment techniques bring immediate relief, it may also take a few sessions to notice significant improvement.
How Safe is Chiropractic Care?
One of the most common concerns people have is the safety of chiropractic care. When done by a licensed professional, chiropractic care is generally considered to be very safe. In fact, serious complications are very rare with most people experiencing little or no side effects. While some patients may experience stiffness or soreness after an adjustment, it usually goes away within a day or two.
When to See a Chiropractor
So when should you see a chiropractor? If you experience limited mobility, chronic pain, or discomfort in your lower back, neck, or joints, then you should give chiropractic treatment a shot. More so, chiropractic care is effective for those who suffer from sciatica, headaches, or sports-related injuries. It is important to note that chiropractic care is not for everyone though.
Conclusion: Is Chiropractic Care Right for You?
In conclusion, chiropractic care is a proven, natural, and noninvasive way to improve mobility, relieve pain, and enhance overall wellness. Whether you suffer from sports injuries, headaches, or back pain, chiropractic adjustment techniques like mobilization, soft tissue therapy, or spinal manipulation can help you feel better. By chiropractors focusing on treating the root cause of the problem, and not just the symptoms, they effectively help you enjoy long-term relief and a healthier lifestyle.
Schedule a consultation with a licensed chiropractor today!
