Chiropractic care is a branch of medicine pertaining to the health of the spine, nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation and other techniques to address the underlying conditions that are responsible for symptoms like back pain, neck pain, and chronic headaches. Chiropractic care is generally practiced free of the use of medications or invasive therapies and treatments. Instead, patients are encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyles and eating habits to coincide with chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic exercises. Patients who follow the instructions of their chiropractors often experience less muscle tightness and overall pain.
Did you know…
that the use of chiropractic can be traced back as far as 2700 B.C.? Archeologists have discovered ancient writings from China and Greece that detail the use of spinal manipulation in an effort to alleviate lower back pain. Even the great Greek physician, Hippocrates, wrote extensively about his endorsement of spinal care. Today, chiropractic care is used around the world for the treatment of various diseases and conditions of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system.
The only way to know if you are a candidate for chiropractic treatment is by consulting with a chiropractor for a complete clinical assessment. If you are not a candidate for chiropractic care, or if you require medical treatment beyond the scope of chiropractic, you will be referred to the appropriate specialist or practitioner.
Like any doctor visit, you will be asked to complete paperwork about your medical history and reason for visiting the chiropractor. You may be treated to massage or electronic muscle stimulation to help your body prepare for a chiropractic adjustment. The purpose of the adjustment is to manipulate the spine, neck and other areas of the musculoskeletal frame into an optimal position. You will hear a lot of loud popping and cracking during your visit, but you may experience greater mobility and less pain immediately after.
Your chiropractor may advise you to adopt healthier habits. For example, he or she may suggest using a back support for desk work to support a healthier posture. Other recommendations may include wearing better foot support, minimizing stress and changing your normal sleep position.
Chiropractors treat the entire neuromusculoskeletal system, but they are especially helpful in treating back pain. Chiropractors do not actually target pain relief itself so much as they attempt to treat the underlying conditions responsible for pain. Instead of merely masking a pain with over-the-counter or prescription medications, many patients who see chiropractors for back pain can achieve relief with simple spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes. Even the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research recommends that people with chronic back pain seek out conservative treatment options first, including safe and effective spinal manipulation.
Did you know…
that the leading cause of disability around the world is lower back pain? In the U.S. alone, an estimated 31 million people are suffering from some type of back pain – many of them chronically. Although inflammatory diseases and other conditions can be a source of back pain, the vast majority of symptoms are caused by mechanical discrepancies in the spine.
Yes. Although not everyone is a candidate for chiropractic treatment, those who are often found significant pain relief with ongoing treatment. Contact your [city] chiropractor today for more information or to schedule a consultation.
Your chiropractor will first attempt to identify the cause of your pain – whether it is related to posture, weight, stress, or the result of a car accident or other injury. You may be advised to make certain modifications to your daily habits and to visit periodically for spinal manipulation, which is designed to relieve pain, muscle tightness and joint immobility. Your treatment may persist for several weeks or months until your pain subsides.
Most chiropractic adjustments are not painful. However, it is normal to experience some mild to moderate soreness in the first one to two days following your treatment. Otherwise, you can return to your usual routine as soon as you leave the office.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 2 million people visit emergency departments annually for treatment of injuries sustained in auto accidents. Even more walk away from their collisions with a few ‘bumps’ and ‘bruises.’ Unfortunately, many never consult with a chiropractor about their injuries because they either believe they are uninjured or otherwise believe the emergency department effectively handled their care. The truth is accident victims can have musculoskeletal injuries without any symptoms. Of those who do, they are often sent home from hospital emergency departments with pain medications – which do nothing to treat the underlying injury.
Did you know…
you only need to be traveling approximately 5 to 10 miles an hour during a collision to sustain damage to your muscles, joints, bones or connective tissues? The same principle applies to injuries you sustain when other drivers run into you. Both low-speed and high-speed collisions put you at risk for injury.
Yes. A car accident can leave you writhing in pain, or it could leave you with little to no discomfort at all. Regardless of how mild or severe, your symptoms may be, it is important to seek out chiropractic treatment immediately following an auto collision. Chiropractic treatment is effective for relieving pain, muscle stiffness, whiplash, and misalignment caused by collisions. Furthermore, early treatment typically yields the fastest recovery time, because treatment is administered before the body has the opportunity to isolate injuries or accumulate scar tissue.
Your initial chiropractic appointment will consist of an examination and a review of your medical history – including any injuries you may have sustained in your accident. You may then be x-rayed to check for spinal subluxations or neck injuries that may or may not have begun causing pain or muscle stiffness. Your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan for you based on the results of your exam. It is likely to include frequent spinal adjustments and possibly some physical therapy or spinal decompression.
In the first 24 hours following your accident, it may help to apply ice to injuries in order to minimize swelling and inflammation. Visit your chiropractor as soon as possible, and take care not to physically exert yourself – regardless of how good you feel. Often, musculoskeletal pain doesn’t set in until days or even weeks after an accident. So slow down, take it easy, and get to your chiropractor’s office as soon as possible. You will be informed if there is anything you can do to better facilitate the healing process.
