Back Pain
It is perhaps common to link chiropractors with back pain and associated problems. Generally, when someone thinks about visiting a chiropractor it is because they are experiencing problems with their backs in some way.
However, a doctor of chiropractic degree involves 4 years of study normally, with perhaps 3 or 4 years of undergraduate schooling first. This leads to expertise in treating many conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. While they are not doctors of medicine, chiropractors are highly trained doctors in their own right.
And they are able to help their patients with their overall health and have a better quality of life through more than just spinal adjustments.
What is the most likely reason for visiting a chiropractor?
Back pain is normally the most common cause of seeking out chiropractic care. There are many causes for back pain, and a chiropractor will determine the source by listening to the patient and through the use of recognised tests.
However, they deal with other joints such as knees and wrists, and also with conditions such as sciatica and neck problems as you can see here. Chiropractors will help to determine the cause of muscle or joint problems which may be misalignment. They will then treat the patient and return proper function to them. They use adjustments and manipulations to align the body, and this can result in improved health.
A visit to a chiropractor can be beneficial for other conditions other than back and joint pain though, and some gains may be surprising for patients.
Chiropractors can help give nutritional guidance
One of the leading problems of back pain is being overweight. You may not realize, but chiropractors can help with lifestyle changes such as nutritional advice.
Trendy diets rarely work, but there are scientific ways to lose fat, including eating more protein and tracking calorie intake. A chiropractor can give guidance in this area.
Chiropractic care may improve sleep patterns
A worrying 50% plus Americans suffer from chronic sleep conditions. And up to 19% of the population don’t get the recommended amount of sleep each night, although the CDC reports it could be as high as 33%.
This is disturbing as poor sleep can lead to many other problems involving physical and mental wellness.
There may not be enough evidence to prove that chiropractic care aids sleep yet. But, some studies have shown up to 1/3rd of patients reported better sleep patterns after chiropractic treatment.
Migraines and chronic headaches
Across the world, more than 1 billion people suffer from migraine. This ailment can be at times completely debilitating, and some sufferers sometimes have several attacks a month.
The WHO suggests that migraine is one of the top ten most disabling ailments in the world. Fortunately, this is one area that chiropractors may help with. Some patients find that spinal adjustments and massage can bring pain relief and reduce migraine symptoms. Similarly, those who suffer from tension headaches can benefit from treatment from a chiropractor.
Help boost your immune system
One of the better tips for a healthy immune system might be to visit your chiropractor. The adjustments that are made by chiropractors can help in a number of areas including relieving pressure on nerves. It is suggested that the immune system can subsequently be boosted by 200% from these treatments.
Chiropractors can recommend safe exercises
Preventative care is an important area for chiropractors. And they will often suggest certain exercises for pain relief, and to stop conditions from reoccurring. These exercises will be tailored to suit the patient and may involve strengthening particular muscles to help support the spine.
Diagnosis of underlying problems
Part of a chiropractor’s role is to diagnose the source and reason for back pain. They will also look for the causes of pain in other areas of the body such as the knee when it isn’t clear. For example, a chiropractor can discover that a pinched nerve in a patient’s back is causing knee pain.
When treating a patient, a chiropractor may discover other problems, including underlying ones such as ankylosing spondylitis. This condition causes areas of the body to be painful when touched. These are known as hot spots or enthesitis, and involve inflammation of the joints, which is a painful condition.
A patient who is having periods of back pain and stiffness may discover the source is ankylosing spondylitis during a visit to a chiropractor. Not all back pain comes from bad posture or injury.
Summary
A visit to a chiropractor could yield some surprising benefits. Your overall health can be affected by chiropractic adjustments, and even your immune system can be aided.
Just as importantly though, other ailments can sometimes be discovered. This can help with getting the correct treatment quicker before conditions worsen. Depending on the ailment, chiropractors might be able to assist in relieving symptoms as well.
