What is chiropractic?
Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments including small instruments. The theory behind this is that proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, will enable the body to heal itself without surgery or medication.
Manipulation is used to restore mobility to joints restricted by tissue injury caused by a traumatic event. Things like falling, or repetitive stress, or just sitting without proper back support. The goal of this procedure (spinal manipulation) improves spinal motion and your body’s physical function.
Chiropractic is primarily used as a pain relief alternative. It’s for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue, like cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. It is sometimes used with conventional medical treatment.
Doctor?
The initials “DC” identify a Doctor of Chiropractic, whose education includes an undergraduate degree and four years of chiropractic college.
Why You May Want Treatment
People seek chiropractic treatment for common problems like low back pain, headache and neck pain.
what to expect when visiting a chiropractor
A Walk Through Your First Appointment
A chiropractor usually takes a medical history, performs a physical examination, and may use lab tests or diagnostic imaging to decide if treatment is appropriate for your pain.
The treatment plan may involve one or more manual adjustments in which the doctor manipulates the joints, using controlled, sudden force to improve range and quality of motion.
Many chiropractors also use nutritional counseling, acupuncture, massage and exercise/rehabilitation in the treatment plan. The goals of chiropractic care can include the restoration of function and prevention of injury in addition to other complaint(s).
During and After the Procedure
During a typical chiropractic adjustment, your chiropractor places you in specific positions to treat affected areas. Often, you’re positioned lying face down on a specially designed, padded chiropractic table. The chiropractor might use their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint. This pushes it beyond its usual range of motion.
You may hear popping or cracking sounds as your chiropractor moves your joints. This is normal. It is the release of gases built up in the joint to help stabilize the misalignment in that joint.
Some people experience minor side effects for a few days after chiropractic adjustment. These may include headache, soreness, fatigue or pain in the parts of the body that were treated.
Correct Alignment of the spine
When you receive an adjustment do you know the medical and scientific reasoning behind it?
Why do you experience the feeling of immediate relief after you are adjusted by your chiropractor?
This post is to not just emphasize all of the benefits of chiropractic care but rather, clear up why your chiropractor makes adjustments. This includes realigning your spine, and relieving neck, back, sciatic nerve pain.
So let’s start with the basics. Chiropractors adjust the alignment of the spine aiding the bodily function at an optimum level and facilitating proper function of the nervous system.
Chiropractors are trained to focus on the relationship between structure and function.
This delicate relationship between structure and function preserves and restores health.
Results of a chiropractic adjustment
Chiropractic adjustment can be effective in treating low back pain. But much of the research done shows only a modest benefit — like the results of more conventional treatments. Some studies suggest that spinal manipulation also may be effective for headaches and other spine-related conditions, such as neck pain
Is Chiropractic for You?
Not everyone responds to chiropractic adjustments. A lot depends on your situation. If your symptoms don’t begin to improve after several weeks of treatments, chiropractic adjustment might not be the best option for you.
*** To schedule an appointment for treatment with chiropractic, acupuncture or massage, please contact Shimer Chiropractic today at 720-340-4107. Your body will thank you.
