Chiropractic is an excellent treatment option for many common conditions. However, many people have questions about chiropractic care and how it works.
Common Questions Regarding Chiropractic Care
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What is a Chiropractor?
Chiropractors are a type of healthcare practitioner who treats conditions that affect bones, muscles and joints. They use manual therapies, including spinal manipulation and other techniques. A chiropractor will take a patient’s history and perform a physical exam, which may include X-rays. They will also discuss lifestyle habits, like diet and sleeping patterns, which can impact pain levels. Chiropractors are specially trained to manipulate the spine safely.
It’s important to note that spinal manipulation can cause mild side effects like fatigue and headaches. However, these side effects should subside within a few days. Contact your doctor immediately if you’re experiencing intense or prolonged pain, weakness or numbness.
Do I need to be patient for a long time?
Chiropractic is a hands-on therapy that involves treating the spine and nervous system. The nervous and healing systems are remarkable and can adapt and compensate for problems. However, it does not do that indefinitely, and most people find that their pain and discomfort goes away with about 6-8 treatments.
Brad Kern concentrates on the connections between the spine, the neurological system, and the muscles that support it. While they do not prescribe medication, they recommend certain supplements and lifestyle changes to help improve health and wellness.
Chiropractors can also treat several conditions, including neck and low back pain, headaches, and whiplash. They can also offer massage and therapeutic modalities such as heat and cold and ultrasound treatment.
How do Chiropractors treat my condition?
Chiropractors are well-recognized for treating back and neck discomfort but also deal with various health issues. Many of these conditions aren’t musculoskeletal problems like headaches and joint pain but other diseases and disorders such as allergies, asthma, heart disease, ADD/ADHD, and more.
These other ailments benefit from chiropractic treatment because the spine and central nervous system are involved. The spinal column encases the delicate nerves that control every muscle, tissue and organ in your body.
When the spine is in proper alignment, the brain and body can communicate efficiently, and this helps prevent sickness. A properly functioning nervous and skeletal system also encourages the immune system to fight off bacteria and viruses before they become diseases.
How am I a good candidate for chiropractic care?
While chiropractic treatment is a great option for many people, some situations make it unsuitable. It is especially true if you have bone fractures, tumors, advanced spine osteoarthritis or a stroke. In addition, spinal manipulation can cause numbness, tingling and weakness in some people.
Most health professionals recommend seeing a chiropractor in conjunction with other medical specialists.
It allows for an interprofessional approach and enhances your overall care. Chiropractors can reduce back or neck pain, help you regain mobility and relieve tension from muscles and joints. They also provide soft-tissue therapy, exercise and stretches and can tape or brace a joint to help improve its function. Many patients start feeling improvements after just 3 to 5 treatment sessions.
Can I see a Chiropractor while pregnant?
Pregnancy is a huge life event that changes the body in several ways. It’s usual for women to feel aches and pains in their lower back and hips during this period. Chiropractic can help reduce these symptoms and improve overall wellness during pregnancy.
Chiropractors specializing in pregnancy have special training in adjusting the pregnant woman and accommodating her changing body.
Aside from alleviating pregnancy discomfort, regular adjustments can help prevent breech deliveries. It is achieved by ensuring the healthy pelvic balance, allowing the baby to move into a head-first position at delivery. It is known as the Webster Technique.
