Any kind of pain in our bodies is troubling. And rightly so. Pain affects the quality of life. It is both physically and mentally exhausting. It is even more frustrating if you can’t find relief for your pain. Are you experiencing any neuromuscular disorder? There is hope for you. And that hope is in chiropractors.
By now, you are asking who a chiropractor is. You are not alone. Several people don’t understand what chiropractors do. To start with, a chiropractor is a healthcare specialist trained on diagnosis and treatment pain arising from the nervous and musculoskeletal system. Most chiropractors seek to alleviate pain, improve functionality, and sensitize patients on being accountable for their health.
A big misconception is that chiropractors only treat neck and back pain. This is a myth that we are demystifying today. Chiropractors offer more than that. Below is an outline of some issues that can lead you to seek the services of a chiropractor.
• Tension and migraine headaches
• Whiplash
• Muscle or joint pain
• Wrist pain
• Sciatica and pain in your legs
• Shoulder pain
• Carpel tunnel syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
As you can see, chiropractors have more services to offer to you. You also need to know that chiropractic treatment is either a complementary or alternative treatment option. It is non-surgical. Chiropractors also do not administer medicine. Intriguing, right? How then do they treat? Be sure to read through the article to find out how a chiropractor will alleviate your pain.
How does a chiropractor treat pain?
Most people prefer taking a pill than changing some lifestyle habits. Finding an alternative approach is way much better. What a chiropractor does is to take a medical history. He or she will perform a physical examination or perform a lab test to determine the right treatment. The most common treatment plans include:
Manipulations /adjustments
Chiropractic manipulation or adjustment is a gentle thrust to a spinal joint. A chiropractor will use his or her hands to apply a sudden controlled force to your spinal bone. The main aim of this procedure is to increase mobility. Chiropractors conduct this method to people with neck pain, low back pain, or headache.
What will I expect with this kind of treatment? Well, your chiropractor will ask you to lie or sit on a treatment table. He or she will apply a reasonable force to your joint, causing a popping sound like cracking your knuckles. Is it painful? Expect little or no pain with adjustment. However, you could get some minor soreness after the procedure.
Exercises /stretching
Yes, exercises can be a method of treating pain. It is a repetitive and structured activity that you can use to improve your health. Your chiropractor may recommend particular stretches or exercises. The aim is to refine your function and strengthen your muscles.
Some of the exercises may involve neck stretches to ease tension and headaches. Also, your chiropractor could advise using a resistant band to strengthen you’re the muscles of your back and shoulders. It is essential to adhere to your chiropractor guidelines on how to perform these stretches and exercises to avoid injuries or twitching your muscle.
Soft tissue therapy
Soft tissue therapy is a therapeutic massage. It relaxes tight muscles and ligaments. Chiropractors use it to treat sports injuries, auto accident injuries, fractures, and much more. Your chiropractor may recommend a registered massage therapist to help alleviate the pain.
Chiropractors use soft tissue therapy for restorative and preventative purposes. This method is an entirely organic and natural way of alleviating pain from injuries and body aches.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese technique, entails inserting thin needles through your skin at specific points (acupoints). The method produces an analgesic effect to ease the pain. It treats back and neck pain, headaches, and pain related to muscles. To the majority of patients, acupuncture does not bring any discomfort, and if there is, it is little.
Nutritional counseling
With inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, diet change plays an immense role in alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. Again, proper nutrition is essential for your musculoskeletal health. Your chiropractor will definitely check your diet even if he uses one or more treatment options to relieve your pain.
To sum it up, it is recommendable you visit a chiropractor often, whether experiencing minor or significant pain. Do not wait it out. Your pain could turn chronic. If you don’t know where to start and are in Birmingham, Alabama, and its environs, worry not. We at Integrative Chiropractic Health & Wellness got you covered.
We always emphasize on an open discussion to determine chiropractic solutions suitable for you. Do not let that pain slow you. Call us today at 205-637-1363. The niggling pain will be a thing of the past.
