Chiropractic care is a conservative, non-invasive treatment used to relieve pain and treat underlying conditions of the neuromuscular system. Although it is highly effective on its own, the therapy works synergistically with massage therapy to deliver faster, more effective results. Massage prior to a chiropractic treatment helps loosen stiff muscles and make them more susceptible to manual adjustments. Many chiropractors not only recommend massage to patients – they offer it right in their offices.
Did you know…
that massage therapy has been used for thousands of years to relieve muscle stiffness and back pain related to stress and injury? Today, it is used around the world for those same reasons. In fact, there are more than 100 types of massage used in countries all around the world. Each offers its own benefits, but nearly all serve the same purposes – to relieve stress, improve range of motion, release built-up muscle toxins, and provide relief of pain and muscle stiffness.
Not everyone is a candidate for massage, so see your primary care physician before getting treatment. According to the National Institute for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, massage administered by a trained and licensed professional carries very low risk of complications.
Your massage experience will depend primarily on the type of massage you get. If you see a professional masseuse, you can elect traditional massage for superficial muscle relaxation or deep tissue massage to target the muscles deep beneath the skin. Massages are usually available for durations of up to 90 minutes, although you can reap the benefits of massage in just 30 minutes or less.
Yes. Massage therapy helps loosen muscles by relieving toxins that are stored in them. These toxins need to be flushed out of your system in the hours following your massage, so it is recommended that you drink plenty of water once you complete your treatment.
Knee pain is a highly common complaint among Americans – especially those who are active in sports or are victims of repetitive use injuries. There are many causes of knee pain, including arthritis, inflammation, and injuries to the connective tissues. Many people suffering from knee pain want alternative treatment methods besides pain medications or surgery. Chiropractic offers a conservative and non-invasive approach to treating knee pain, and many patients begin to experience relief right away.
Did you know…
that many patients with knee pain are simple cases of improper arch support? Shoes make a big difference in the amount of pressure that is transferred to your knees when walking or running. If your arches are not properly supported, they cannot absorb shock as your foot strikes the ground. By simply wearing arch-supporting inserts inside your shoe, you can better distribute pressure and help prevent chronic knee pain.
Yes. Chiropractors are experts in pain relief and safe manipulation of the musculoskeletal frame. Chiropractic treatments are always the least invasive, so it makes sense to try those before pursuing more aggressive treatments. If your knee pain cannot be treated with chiropractic care, your chiropractor will refer you to a specialist who can assist you.
Your chiropractor will first examine your knee for signs of swelling and may order x-rays or other imaging to aid in the diagnostic process. If your knee is inflamed, you may need to rest it and ice it until swelling subsides. Next, your chiropractor may restore mobility to your knee with an adjustment similar to those you may receive for back pain or neck pain. Finally, your chiropractor may recommend massage and physical therapy to alleviate pain and restore function to the joint.
In addition to using adequate arch support, consider wearing a knee brace during physical activity to provide added support.
Joint pain is a common problem, and there is a host of treatments and medications available claiming to offer symptom relief. But few of those treatment options work to address the cause of joint problems rather than just the symptoms. Chiropractic treatment can be a viable remedy for joint problems and pain affecting all areas of the musculoskeletal system. Manual adjustments can encourage joints to line up and function properly, effectively reducing chronic pain for many patients.
Did you know…
that there are at least 360 joints facilitating movement in the human body? When just one of those joints becomes irritated or inflamed, it can cause intense pain and immobilization. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least, 30 percent of American adults have experienced joint pain or stiffness at least once in the last month – many of them much more frequently than that!
Yes. Chiropractic treatment and manual joint adjustments can be effective for alleviating joint pains of all types, from sprains and strains to fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. If you are experiencing joint pain, contact your chiropractor to find out if chiropractic treatment could benefit you.
Your chiropractor will first diagnose your pain by finding the source of the problem. If you have an injury, such as is common among athletes, you may be advised to continue chiropractic adjustments and supplement with physical therapy. If your joint pain is related to an underlying health condition, try modifying your diet to avoid inflammatory foods that could be contributing to your condition.
Yes. If you are overweight or obese, your weight could be putting excess pressure on your joints, resulting in chronic pain. Change your diet and exercise habits with the goal of obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight. You can also help prevent joint pain by wearing joint braces or resting the joint periodically throughout each day. If your joints are inflamed, try applying ice to them for a few minutes each day.
Nearly everyone has occasional headaches, but some people suffer with them chronically. Recurring headaches and migraines can severely limit quality of life. Most people who have frequent headaches are not suffering with an underlying health condition, but rather are experiencing headaches as a side effect of stress, poor sleep habits, overuse of caffeine, or even poor posture. Chiropractic has been shown to help alleviate the frequency and intensity of headaches among many chronic sufferers.
Did you know…
that severe headaches and migraines can affect anyone at any age, but women between the ages of 18 and 44 are most likely to suffer with them chronically? There are three classifications of headaches – cluster, migraine, and tension. Each can be triggered by internal or external factors, such as muscle tension, stress, strong fragrances and consumption of certain foods. A chiropractor will work with patients to help identify to a source of chronic headaches and create a plan for relief.
If you are suffering from chronic headaches and are looking for a more natural means of treating your pain than over-the-counter medications, you could benefit from chiropractic treatment. According to the American Chiropractic Association, a Duke University study found that chiropractic treatment is highly effective in the relief of tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck, which are the most common type of headaches in America. In fact, tension headaches can recur on a near daily basis when left untreated.
Your first visit to a chiropractor will include a complete analysis of your symptoms, including the severity and frequency of your headaches. You’ll also answer questions about your family health history, as well as your dietary and sleep habits. Together with your chiropractor, you will work to identify potential headache triggers through a process of elimination.
Your visit may also include a chiropractic adjustment to correct misalignment to your neck and spine, which also could be contributing to your headaches. By adjusting your back, your chiropractor could relieve stress on your body’s musculoskeletal system. After just a few adjustments, you could experience significant improvement in your headache pain.
Yes. Be sure to get plenty of sleep each night and take steps to minimize your stress. Drink plenty of water each day to avoid headache-causing dehydration, and spend time each day stretching and participating in mild to moderate exercise.
Many people think of a podiatrist when it comes to foot care, but chiropractors treat pain and disorders of the feet and ankles as well. In fact, chiropractors are especially helpful in relieving pain stemming from conditions like plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. If you visit a chiropractor with chronic foot pain, you can be assured that you will be offered conservative and non-invasive treatment options that have been proven effective in relieving pain, as well as the underlying conditions responsible for discomfort.
Did you know…
that 25 percent of all the bones in your body are located in your feet? In fact, your feet not only have 26 bones, but they also have 19 muscles, 33 joints and 107 different ligaments! Considering the average person walks approximately 10,000 steps each day, it’s no wonder these bones can fall out of alignment.
You should see a chiropractor for foot care pertaining the muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissues of the feet. Chiropractors do not specialize in other disorders of the feet, such as infections or ingrown toenails. To find out more about chiropractic foot care and whether it’s right for you, schedule a consultation with your chiropractor today.
You can expect drug-free and surgery-free treatment options designed to reduce chronic foot pain. Your chiropractor may order an x-ray of your foot to determine whether your symptoms are related to a biomechanical problem. If they are, your foot will likely be adjusted in the office, potentially resulting in immediate symptom relief, less stiffness, and increased mobility.
Yes. Wearing the appropriate footwear to support your feet is important for overall foot health. If your problem is ankle-related, a brace may provide the support you need to avoid injury and live pain-free.
More and more people are foregoing back surgery to give spinal decompression a try. Back decompression is a gentle and non-invasive alternative to more aggressive treatments used to treat chronic pain. It works by applying gentle pressure to your back in an effort to expand space between compressed discs in your spine. When performed successfully, spinal decompression can provide effective relief for herniated discs, sciatica, pinched nerves and even degenerative disc disorders.
Did you know…
spinal decompression treatments take less than one hour to complete? Many patients find the time relaxing – especially when additional supplemental therapies like electrical stimulation or hot/cold therapy are used prior to or following treatment. If you decide spinal decompression is right for you, expect to visit your chiropractor as much as four times a week to reap maximum benefits.
Back decompression is not for everyone, and you may not be a candidate for treatment if you have metal rods in your back or are prone to fractures. However, it is a much more conservative treatment option than surgery is. If you are considering back surgery, contact your chiropractor first to find out if you could benefit from spinal decompression therapy.
During your back decompression treatment, you will lie flat on your back while a decompression machine gently tugs at your back. The effect is similar to the feeling you get in your back when you hang upside down. The tugging encourages your vertebrae to separate, relieving pressure on discs and nerves.
Back decompression typically requires multiple visits to achieve noticeable results. To maximize your chances of success with decompression, abide by the treatment schedule prescribed by your chiropractor.
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.
