What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractors are concerned with diagnosing and treating disorders related to the musculoskeletal system, as well as helping you prevent illness and injury. They often utilize manual manipulations of the spine, joints, and soft tissue, to promote the body’s own ability to heal. These manipulations, called adjustments, result in the body’s realignment so that it is positioned to reduce stress and allow your energy to focus on repairing injury. The theoretical basis of chiropractic care is that symptoms and illness are created by mechanical compression and irritation to the spinal nerves and joints that result from vertebral subluxation. Because your entire body, including all its organs, is in communication with the nervous system, a compressed nerve will create symptoms in the areas in which that nerve communicates. For example, if a nerve running from your brain to your ear is compressed, the resulting inflammation can create deafness. In this manner, the chiropractor is treating the whole body, not just individual parts.
What Problems Should I See a Chiropractor For?
First and foremost, your notion that you should see a chiropractor for back or neck pain is true. Studies have repeatedly shown that patients often report much better relief from chiropractic care than more conventional interventions, or from pain medications. This includes both acute and chronic pain. Additionally, chronic low back pain often results in sciatica, which is pain radiating from the lower back to the buttocks and legs. Chiropractic adjustments are very successful in treating these symptoms. This ultimately leads to fewer doctor visits, fewer medications and better management of chronic pain. It also may help prevent the need for surgery. However, there are many other reasons to see the chiropractor.
Headaches
Chiropractors can effectively treat both tension headaches and migraines. In fact, research has shown that routine chiropractic care can decrease the frequency, duration and intensity of migraines. This is a much better alternative to chronic use of medications. Additionally, posture, neck pressure, movement and stress can all contribute to tension headaches. A chiropractic adjustment is a great way to realign the spine and reduce the stress on your neck and shoulders.
Pregnancy and Infertility
Due to the nature of pregnancy and the body’s adjustment to the growing fetus, women who are pregnant experience chronic pain to the pelvis, joints, and lower back. Chiropractic care, which focuses on muscles and ligaments of the pelvis not only results in an improvement of these symptoms, but also in better positioning of the baby and a smoother labor and delivery. Some research has also suggested that chiropractic care can also have an effect on infertility.
Athletic Performance
Many professional athletes recognize the benefit of chiropractic care on their overall health, and on their ability to compete at their highest level. It not only is used to treat pain and injury, but to improve function and mobility. It increases energy, decreases muscle tension and tightness, improves respiratory function, optimizes the immune system, and decreases inflammation.
Caring for the whole individual is an important aspect in chiropractic care. It utilizes a holistic approach towards care that enhances the body’s own healing powers. Chiropractic care does not eliminate the need for routine medical care, but chiropractors bring a unique dimension to your healthcare team that can help you achieve your optimal level of health.
If you have any health concerns that you feel may benefit from chiropractic care, please request an appointment online. With several locations to choose from, Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation has the caring specialists to get you up and running!
