Chiropractic Care And What You Need to Know
Chiropractic treatment is a regulated health care profession. It focuses on the bones, joints and muscles, called the musculoskeletal system.
During a typical visit, the chiropractor asks about your general medical history and symptoms. They may order X-rays and MRIs.
Chiropractors use manipulation to treat back pain and neck pain. They also provide massage therapy and dietary and exercise counseling.
What Is a Chiropractor?
Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain. They use hands-on manipulations of the spine and other joints in the body to improve a person’s quality of life by relieving pain, improving flexibility, increasing range of motion, and strengthening muscles and ligaments. Some chiropractors may also offer massage therapy and advise patients on posture and exercise.
In order to become a chiropractor, people must earn a bachelor’s degree and complete four years of chiropractic graduate school. These programs require extensive study of anatomy, biochemistry, physics, and spinal anatomy. In addition, chiropractors need to pass a state licensing exam.
When a person visits a chiropractor, the doctor will start by performing a physical exam and taking vital signs, like blood pressure. They will then explain their findings and develop a treatment plan, which may include spinal manipulation.
Spinal manipulation is a manual movement of the vertebrae, which helps to reduce inflammation and restore normal mobility in the spine and its surrounding joints. This allows for better communication between the brain and nervous system and enhances overall health. It’s important to know that spinal manipulation is not recommended for people with a broken bone, tumors, or arthritis flares, or those who take blood-thinning medications. In rare cases, neck manipulation has been known to worsen a herniated disc or cause a stroke.
Many people seek chiropractic care because they have back pain, but chiropractors treat a wide variety of conditions. For example, pregnant women often visit chiropractors specializing in the Webster technique, which can help them get into proper position for vaginal delivery. They can also be found treating infant colic, acid reflux, and constipation.
Some patients report that their moods improve after a chiropractic adjustment, and they sleep better as well. This is because a dysfunctional spine can cause a disruption in the flow of neurotransmitters, which can have a profound effect on all bodily functions. Chiropractors are trained to help the body heal itself, and research shows that chiropractic care can relieve many symptoms, such as pain, without a need for surgery or drugs.
How Does Chiropractic Care Work?
Rather than treating pain with drugs, chiropractors treat the underlying issues that cause discomfort. They use spinal manipulation and other manual therapies to restore proper alignment and function to the musculoskeletal system, which can reduce nerve compression, relieve muscle tension, and promote natural healing. This can help alleviate back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint pain, and may improve posture, balance, and overall health.
Chiropractic has been shown to be effective for back and neck pain, including whiplash, as well as a number of other ailments. It has been used to successfully treat arthritic joints, sports injuries such as tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome, digestive disorders, breathing problems, and even depression and anxiety.
While chiropractic care was once based on the idea that the nervous system controls all bodily functions, it is now considered a conservative form of healthcare that can complement other treatment options. Chiropractors are trained to perform examinations and diagnose patients, and they can also refer patients for X-rays and other diagnostic tests, when appropriate.
The primary technique a chiropractor uses is spinal manipulation, which involves applying force to a joint that has become misaligned. This can increase flexibility, decrease muscle spasms and tension, and reduce pain. They may also perform soft tissue therapy to relax tight muscles and relieve tension in the connective tissue that surrounds each muscle (fascia).
Some chiropractors have specialized skills, such as acupuncture, which can be used to alleviate pain and promote natural healing by stimulating the release of certain hormones. They can also offer dietary and lifestyle advice to support their patients.
Chiropractors often begin their examination by looking at a patient’s feet. They can tell a lot about a person’s posture and balance by the way their feet are aligned. For example, if the feet turn outward, this is indicative of a postural imbalance caused by gravity or other factors. Similarly, when the feet are pointed inward, this can indicate a tilted pelvis that may lead to breathing problems. If this is the case, a chiropractor can correct the misalignment to promote better health and prevent future problems.
What Can a Chiropractor Do for Me?
Many people see a chiropractor to manage back pain and other ailments, but they also can help with a number of other conditions. These include arthritis, neck pain, headaches, and more. In fact, a chiropractic doctor can provide long term relief from various health concerns without the use of invasive surgery or narcotic medications.
To treat these health issues, a chiropractor will perform spinal manipulations to reduce pain in joints and muscles. This will help to increase blood flow and nerve conductivity in the affected area, which should lead to decreased inflammation and faster healing. Other treatments a chiropractor might utilize include soft-tissue therapy to relax tight muscles and ease spasms, joint bracing (Kinesio taping) to support sprained joints or muscles, and exercise and stretching techniques. Chiropractors, and particularly so, the Madison chiropractors, can even offer guidance on diet and nutrition to decrease inflammation, promote weight loss, and lower risk for disease.
Getting regular chiropractic care can also boost your immune system, which is important since you want to be as healthy as possible in order to avoid sickness. Your nervous system sends messages from the brain to every cell in your body, including your immune system, so even the slightest misalignment can have a negative effect on your ability to fight off infection. Chiropractic care ensures that your spine and nervous system are functioning optimally, so your immune system can get the message to fight off infection.
While there are some medical conditions that do not respond to chiropractic treatment, such as herniated or slipped discs and certain types of arthritis, most health issues can benefit from it. However, it’s best to consult your doctor before seeing a chiropractor. They can let you know whether or not a chiropractic treatment will be safe for your condition and will recommend other health care professionals if necessary.
To become a chiropractor, you must complete an extensive program of study and obtain a doctorate degree. This involves studying the anatomy of the human body, as well as learning the skills to treat musculoskeletal issues with gentle, non-invasive methods. Some chiropractors specialize in a specific type of treatment, while others work in general practices and holistic medicine clinics.
How Can I Find a Chiropractor?
The musculoskeletal system is crucial for our ability to move, from getting out of bed to lifting weights at the gym. When something is wrong with this system, it can feel debilitating. This is why it’s important to find a qualified chiropractor who can treat your specific needs.
The most common chiropractic treatment involves spinal manipulation, also called adjustments. These involve moving a joint to the end of its range, then applying a low-force thrust. This technique is used to reduce muscle spasms, improve mobility, and relieve pain. It is usually done in the back, but can be performed on other joints, such as hips and knees.
Aside from spinal manipulation, other techniques your chiropractor may use include soft tissue massage, acupuncture, physical modalities (heat and cold therapy, ultrasound, TENS, laser, vibration), traction, nutritional supplements, and exercise. Some chiropractors also use telehealth to allow patients to communicate with their doctor through email and two-way video calls from the comfort of home.
If you are considering a chiropractic appointment, ask your doctor for recommendations and research potential providers on the internet. Look for a licensed chiropractor who has a positive patient feedback and has specialized training in your particular musculoskeletal problem. Choose a provider who is willing to work with your other doctors, if necessary, to achieve the best results.
Before you begin treatment, your chiropractor will take a full health history and may recommend x-rays or MRI scans to help identify the cause of your pain. You should inform your chiropractor if you have any medical conditions, medications, or a history of surgery or trauma. It’s also important to tell your doctor if you have blood-thinning medication, osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis, or any other condition that could interfere with spinal manipulation.
In addition, you should avoid chiropractic treatment if you have a herniated disk, are pregnant, or have a pacemaker. Some treatments can worsen these conditions, and a slipped disc can be dangerous to your health. Also, don’t skip a regular checkup with your doctor even if you’re receiving chiropractic care. It is essential to maintain good posture and movement to prevent musculoskeletal problems in the future.