You have a few friends who have tried chiropractic treatment and swear by it. You also have a few friends who insist that chiropractic treatment is nonsense. You wonder if you should try chiropractic care, but you are not sure it can treat what ails you. So, you want to have an idea if a chiropractor treats the condition that you have before you spend the money on an appointment.
The first thing you should do is visit the website of a local chiropractor. They will often have a list of conditions they treat. Some chiropractors will give you a free consultation.
A chiropractor generally treats problems that are related to the neck and spine. As your spinal cord is connected to your brain, there are many ailments that can be treated with chiropractic care.
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How Does Chiropractic Treatment Work?
A chiropractor’s goal is to ensure that your joints move how they are supposed to and that your muscles are functioning properly. When you go for your free consultation, the DC will examine you, tell you if they can help you, and recommend a treatment plan.
Chiropractors manipulate the spine by putting pressure on the affected area with their hands or a tool. They will often use a special adjustable table to aid in your treatment. You may have heard that a chiropractor snaps your spine, but this is not true. A chiropractor manipulates your spine and moves your joints into place. There is sometimes a cracking noise that takes place when gas leaves the joint capsule.
There are a few conditions for which chiropractic care is typically used.
Neck Pain
One of the most common conditions treated by chiropractic care is neck pain. This type of pain may last a single day or several years. It is often caused by an accident, but it can also be caused by mental stress, bad posture, or osteoporosis.
The pain may cause a burning or stabbing sensation, and you might get headaches. One of the worst side effects is that you will have a limited range of motion. A chiropractor can help restore it with a cervical mobilization. This is a treatment where the chiropractor moves the cervical vertebrae from left to right.
Muscle Pain
If you exercise often, or if you are inactive and overexert yourself, you may experience muscle pain. Stress can also cause pain in your muscles. People with Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis have muscle pain. Muscle pain is also a side effect of Lyme disease and flu.
A chiropractor will realign the joints to alleviate muscle pain. The connective tissue that surrounds each muscle can also suffer stress as a result of muscle pain. The treatment will involve soft tissue therapy to release tension.
A chiropractor may make you wear a brace for a few weeks to help in the healing of your muscles.
You should read on to learn about the best exercise machine for lower back pain.
Lower Back Pain
Many people suffer from lower back pain. Some people experience it because they have been in a car accident. However, it can also be caused by arthritis or disc injuries. Lower back injuries often result from physical labor. Strain and sprains can also cause this condition.
A chiropractor will manipulate and massage the joints to help them get back into place. They will put pressure on the spine with tools or their hands. Sometimes, a disc in the back will become misaligned causing lower back pain. A chiropractor can help to put the disc back in place.
Chiropractic treatment is a relatively inexpensive way for someone with a medical condition to feel better in a hurry.