Integrative chiropractic medicine is designed to take a whole-health approach to both correcting existing issues and promoting overall wellness. This type of chiropractic care goes far beyond addressing subluxations of the spine and other areas of imbalance across the musculoskeletal system. This holistic method of creating wellness addresses both existing issues and the underlying problems and life habits that have ultimately caused them. Thus, in addition to hands-on therapies such as manual or computer-assisted adjustments, massage, or inversion, it often includes a number of targeted and needs-specific recommendations for important lifestyle changes.
The best chiropractic doctors make a concerted effort to identify life habits that are causing or exacerbating injuries. This way, patients can maintain the physical improvements that are made in each session over the long-term. When visiting a chiropractor, you will receive a comprehensive examination of your spine at the start of service to better understand the nature of your complaints. The chiropractor will also ask in-depth questions about your medical history including past illnesses and injuries, and any prior treatments.
Your provider will also want to know more about various aspects of your day-to-day life including:
- How much time you’re spending on your phone, computer, or other electronic devices
- The nature of your work duties
- Your exercise program
- Any ergonomic equipment that you’re using at work or at home
- Your daily diet
Each of these factors and others can have a significant impact on the health of your spine, your pain levels, and your ability to position and use your body properly. With the right integrative chiropractic plan, it’s often possible to both resolve problems and prevent them from recurring.
How Specific Life Habits Impact Your Health And Well-Being
Many chiropractors and other medical professionals believe that achieving total wellness requires a holistic approach. If you’re suffering from back pain due to spinal subluxations, correcting those areas of misalignment will help alleviate your discomfort. However, if excess body weight is placing an undue amount of stress on your spine, it will only be a matter of time before excess stress again causes postural and alignment problems to rear their heads.
In instances like this one, chiropractors often offer dietary advice for gradually moving towards a healthier and more balanced body weight. They can additionally provide suggestions for safely building strength in the lower abdominal region. Strong abdominal or core muscles both oppose and support the spine. By building up your core and dropping extra pounds, you can limit the amount of strain that’s being placed on your back and avoid further discomfort.
Certain habits can be just as harmful to the spine as excess body weight and insufficient core strength. If you spend a inordinate amount of time sitting at a desk or craning your neck over your computer or mobile phone, correcting these habits could be the most effective way to diminish your discomfort. In fact, without addressing common, underlying causes of neck and back pain like these, it may be next to impossible to achieve marked and long-lasting relief. Until the factors that are ultimately causing your pain are resolved, they body will not have the best ability to heal itself.
This is why an integrative chiropractic plan often includes postural correction strategies, tips for limiting total screen time, and recommendations for ergonomic equipment that can be used to alleviate spinal stress at work or at home. Learning to position and use your body correctly can naturally reduce pain, alleviate swelling and inflammation, and promote better movement all-around.
People who perform repetitive motions while at work are given tips for preventing common injuries. For instance, you might be advised to alternate between sitting and standing while typing at your desk, or to simply take breaks to engage in other forms of movement throughout the day. Learning proper lifting techniques will allow you to both lift and carry heavy loads as necessary, and without harming your hips, knees, lower back, or other areas.
While chiropractic therapies can safely and successfully address a very vast range of musculoskeletal injuries, they cannot prevent them from developing anew if the same life habits are maintained. If you’re ready to create a lifestyle that promotes and supports optimum wellness, we’re here to help. Call us today at 205-637-1363.
