How Chiropractic Care Helps in Pain Relief

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Chiropractic care is a natural, safe and effective treatment for patients who experience chronic pain caused by back or neck pain. The process utilizes a whole person approach, sometimes going beyond simple spinal adjustments and manipulations. As a therapeutic form of treatment, chiropractic care may also include education on stress management, lifestyle modification, nutrition, exercise, relaxation methods and the proper posture a patient needs to adopt.

Most people tend to assume that chiropractors are only good for back and neck pain. While they treat these, there is plenty more they can do. The focus of chiropractic medicine is on disorders of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and their effect on the rest of the body. While chiropractors can help with a myriad of problems and symptoms, there are certain things that can only be done by medical doctors such as treating acute infections and emergencies, chronic illnesses, injuries and fractures that may require surgery. And although they learn about the whole body, a chiropractic one reduces pain in musculoskeletal injuries.

Headaches

Headaches caused by upper back and neck pain can be relieved through chiropractic. This is usually done by muscle manipulation coupled with massage to loosen up the muscles thus relieving the headache. Though there is still ongoing research, there have been successful individual case studies that have shown the effectiveness of chiropractic care in eliminating even the most chronic of headaches.

Neck Pain

Spinal manipulation is the main technique used in easing the pains and aches felt in the neck. In a recent study, the technique was found to be much more effective than medications. Movement assessments are incorporated in the therapy to confirm whether the pain is stemming from the neck or the shoulders. It is the correction of the root of the existing problem that relieves the symptoms. With the right chiropractic care, patients can realize a significant improvement in range of motion and flexibility.

Lower-Back Pain

The cornerstone of every chiropractor’s job is lower-back pain relief. They can manipulate the sacroiliac joint that links the lowest part of the spine to the pelvis. However, the active release technique can only be performed by certified ones as they are better equipped with the skills to remove scar tissue from muscles and relieve pain. The active release technique can also be combined with spinal manipulation to provide a better and timelier relief for lower back pain. Inasmuch as the cause of lower back pain is often unknown, several people benefit greatly from chiropractic therapy.

Digestive Complications

The nerves within the thoracic region of the spine are directly linked to digestion. About 60% of chronic abdominal pain cases are caused by thoracic disc herniation – an alignment problem in the area between spinal bones. When the alignment of the thoracic vertebrae is disrupted, nerves send erratic impulses to the intestines and stomach, resulting in such digestive problems as gas, bloating and heartburn. The ideal solution for this is keeping the thoracic spine protected from nerve interference to promote optimal function and digestive healing.

Pregnancy Pain

Pains and aches are common for all expectant women. Often, the cause of this is improper pelvic alignment counter intuitively leading to sciatica and lower-back pain. Pregnant women usually have limited options for alleviating the unpleasant pain. Because prescribed pain medications and surgery are likely to bring harm to the fetus, they are forced to turn to chiropractic care. The Webster technique is better suited to address the sacroiliac joint and sacrum by assisting in the balance of the pelvis. This reduces the incidence of back labor and provides overall pain relief during pregnancy.

Blood Pressure

Chiropractic care has been shown to improve blood pressure by acting on misaligned vertebra in the neck. A single chiropractic session likely equals taking two blood pressure medications at once. However, this should only be adopted if approved by a doctor and be used alongside medications and with healthy lifestyle habits that promote low blood pressure.

Closing Remarks

The ultimate goal of chiropractic care is to help in pain relief and provide insights on how a patient can better manage their condition at home to improve mobility and functions. It may take a myriad of treatments to alleviate the pain fully but overall, it is a great alternative to conventional medicine. If you need help in areas like orthopedics, acupuncture, athletic injury, physical rehabilitation, neurology or clinical nutrition, a certified chiropractor could be just what you need.