What is chiropractic healthcare?
Chiropractic healthcare is a form of alternative medicine that looks after a patient's neuromusculoskeletal system. This system comprises bones, muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons. A medical expert practicing chiropractic is termed a chiropractor, and their responsibilities include managing any pain or discomfort associated with the neuromuscular system.
The main focus of chiropractic healthcare is the body's ability to self-heal. This, together with manual pressure therapy, joint manipulations, and spinal adjustments, helps the body realign and heal. A chiropractor also believes that with these spinal adjustments and joint alignments, other systems' functioning can also be improved. People usually prefer this form of therapy for chronic pain issues as an alternative to consuming medicines.
In the United States, chiropractors must obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam, and acquire a state license in order to start practicing. To enroll in a four-year D.C. program, students must first finish at least four years of undergraduate education in a scientific field such as life sciences, chemistry, biology, etc.
Chiropractic education includes monitored clinical experience in which students develop and practice skills such as adjustment techniques, spinal assessments, and making diagnoses. It also includes classes in general sciences, such as anatomy and physiology.
What is a spinal adjustment?
One of the most commonly performed chiropractic adjustments is spinal manipulation. In this procedure, chiropractors use their hands or small instruments to apply pressure to the joints. Spinal manipulation differs from spinal mobilization, which doesn't involve force, is performed within a joint's normal range of motion, and is in the patient's control. Such readjustments allow the joints to move a little more than they normally would, enabling the surrounding muscles and tendons to relax. Spinal manipulation treats lower back pain, neck pain, headache, sciatica, and other conditions. Chiropractic adjustments should not be attempted at home but only administered by licensed professionals.
However, only some people are considered ideal candidates for chiropractic treatments. Chiropractic manipulation is contraindicated in patients with severe osteoporosis, cancer in the spinal region, or bone abnormalities in the neck. Spine adjustments are also not performed in patients with an increased risk of stroke and any form of numbness, tingling sensation, and loss of strength in the arms and legs.
When should you visit a chiropractor?
When you experience constant joint or back pain caused by work, sports injuries, workouts, or gradually worsening pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter medicines, you may need to visit a chiropractor.
Chiropractic care can help ease joint stiffness and muscle pain, affecting your ability to get through the day. Even if you aren't experiencing any symptoms, a simple adjustment can significantly help your muscles relax and improve your range of motion. Common reasons for a chiropractor visit include:
- Back pain and stiffness
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Whiplash injury
- Headaches and migraines
- Sprains or strains from regular activities
- Sport injuries
- Arthritis
- Improving sleep quality
- Blood pressure normalization
What to expect at a chiropractic examination?
A chiropractic examination consists of the following steps:
- Understanding the patient's complaints and enquiring about their medical as well as family history
- Examining the patient's vitals- including body temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure
- Visual inspection of the spinal curvature, as well as its movements
- Palpation of the spine to examine the muscles and other soft tissues that support it
- Conducting a generalized orthopedic examination to detect health conditions relating to the bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissues, including ligaments and tendons. An orthopedic exam also includes analyzing the joint movement and measuring its range of motion.
- Conducting a neurological examination to assess the function of the sensory, motor, and cranial nerves, including the testing of reflexes
Sometimes, a chiropractor may refer you to other specialists or advise diagnostic tests such as MRI scans or an X-ray to understand better and evaluate your condition. Following this, your chiropractor will provide you with an accurate diagnosis, a thorough explanation of your condition, its natural history, expected resolution time, and available treatment options. Your doctor will also highlight the benefits and risks associated with these treatments.
Is it safe and helpful to see a chiropractor while pregnant?
Chiropractic care is a great way to relieve spinal nerve stress and improve overall health. This type of therapy is generally safe and does not usually result in complications. However, during pregnancy, it's important to be cautious. While chiropractic care is typically safe for pregnant women, there are certain situations where it is not recommended. For example, women experiencing ectopic pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, placenta previa or abruption, or moderate to severe toxemia should avoid it. Always seek approval from a qualified doctor before receiving chiropractic care during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and looking for a chiropractor, make sure to find one who specializes in prenatal care. You can ask if they have experience in this area or get a referral from your doctor. Chiropractors use adjusting tables and safe techniques to accommodate pregnant women's growing bellies without putting pressure on the abdomen. They can also suggest effective stretches to relieve tension and discomfort.
During pregnancy, your body undergoes hormonal and physical shifts that can affect your posture and comfort. These shifts can cause misalignment of the spine or joints, leading to discomfort and pain. As your baby grows heavier, the back curves and changes occur in the pelvic region, shifting your center of gravity and posture. Regular visits to a chiropractor specializing in prenatal care can help address these issues. Chiropractic adjustments can re-establish balance and alignment in your pelvis and spine, benefitting both you and your baby.
Visiting a chiropractor during pregnancy can also offer other potential benefits, including healthy pregnancy, managing nausea, reducing labor time, relieving back, neck, or joint pain, and preventing a possible cesarean delivery.
Finding the best chiropractor near you in Bellevue, Washington
Chronic back pain is one of the most common conditions afflicting people nationwide. If you are having trouble finding a good chiropractor for your back pain or an old sports injury, look no further. With Zocdoc, you can effortlessly find the best chiropractor near you in Bellevue, Washington.
Zocdoc is a platform with a wide database of medical professionals throughout the country with the facility of booking appointments seamlessly. Moreover, this platform lets you search for doctors in and around your area. Log into Zocdoc, type in your complaints, and use filters to modify your search further. These filters help customize your search based on your location, specialty, appointment slots, zip code details, and insurance carrier plans. Zocdoc will provide you with a list of medical professionals based on these requirements.
Each doctor listed on Zocdoc has a detailed profile summary. This summary includes all their relevant information, including their educational qualifications, expertise, years of practice, and additional certifications. Additionally, to help you trust your doctor better, Zocdoc provides users access to verified patient reviews, which are constantly updated. These verified reviews can help you make an informed decision.
Using Zocdoc, finding the best chiropractor near you becomes easy, 100% secure, and free.
Chiropractor statistics in Bellevue, Washington
Arthritis is a chronic condition associated with persistent joint pains. Many patients prefer chiropractic care for pain alleviation. According to a report by America's Health Rankings, in 2022, in Washington, the percentage of adults who reported ever being told by a health professional that they had some form of arthritis was 25%, slightly lower than the national percentage of 25.8%. The same report also states that the percentage of females with arthritis was higher than males in the state, 28.6% and 21.4%, respectively.
Sources
Healthline
WebMD
Better Health Channel
CB Physiotherapy
America's Health Rankings
