Through the process of spinal manipulation, also referred to as manual manipulation, licensed chiropractors use their hands and sometimes special instruments to manipulate the joints in the body. The approach is head to toe and not necessarily isolated to a single pain location in the body.
Spinal manipulation works to reduce pain by correctly aligning the body thus improving overall physical function. Chiropractic treatment is a common therapy for pain. The objective, though, is to reduce the subluxation, which is any partial dislocation of the joints. The goal is to achieve an increased range of motion.
The spinal cord contains the fibrous, ropelike central nervous system that travels from the brain down the spinal column and to the middle of the back. The peripheral nervous system offshoots from the spinal cord throughout the body reaching the muscles and all the sensory receptors. When the nerves are free to flow properly there is almost euphoric ease of movement and pain relief, and this is what chiropractic adjustment intends to achieve.
Chiropractic treatment is known to alleviate many conditions that can affect both the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Treatments generally do not hurt, although the sounds can be a little unnerving for the novice patient.
Patients seek chiropractic care for such conditions as:
- Back, neck, jaw, shoulder or leg pain
- Elbow and wrist pain
- Hip or pelvis complaints
- Knee and ankle problems
- Headache
- Whiplash or other automobile injuries
- Disc protrusions and herniations
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Spinal stenosis
- Fibromyalgia
Clearly, the treatment extends to a wide range of conditions. It is important to understand that chiropractors do not prescribe medications, which allows for a comparatively unconventional approach. It can be said that physicians treat your symptoms while chiropractors treat the cause of those symptoms. The goal of chiropractic care is to relieve patients of their suffering allowing them to be less dependent upon doctors.
In addition to adjustments that gently realign joints, some things that chiropractors can prescribe include:
Chiropractic Is Traditionally Holistic Treatment
Chiropractors treat people of all ages. The force and intensity vary depending on the patient. Screening patients ensures they are candidates for chiropractic care. Rather than risking a patient’s condition, chiropractors make use of integrated medical professionals both for referrals and to advise alternative treatment should the need be there.
At first, a chiropractor will discuss your medical history as well as perform a physical examination. Certain diagnostic tests may be performed including X-rays, a CT scan or MRI to learn the best method of approach depending on your circumstances.
The main difference between chiropractic care and conventional medicine is that the whole body is treated rather than the parts. The patient is not the hip problem or the shoulder in bed five. That said, treatment can be provided along with traditional therapies for an entourage effect that neither approach might facilitate alone. Further, by maintaining a healthier body through chiropractic treatment, you can realize a reduction of future problems or incidences.
A greater degree of freedom is achieved through proper skeletal alignment, weight loss that is a part of the treatment plan and that limber feeling and balance that comes from being free of chronic pain.
A whole philosophy approach to recovery includes relief from symptoms and restoring health over the long term. This may include your chiropractor taking a serious interest in how you move throughout your day; how you stand, sit and walk and how you sleep through the night. The position of your body whether sitting at your desk, standing, walking and sleeping can help your chiropractor determine the best stretches to incorporate into your routine.
It should not be your new routine to be married to your chiropractic care for life. While some practitioners have their patients returning every week for years, this is not the goal for a healthy outlook. Getting to the root of the problem and correcting it naturally and completely means you can get on with your life as you see fit. If this appeals to you as a positive method of treatment, give us a call 205-637-1363 and schedule an appointment. We look forward to learning about you and demonstrating what we can do for you.
