What is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a licensed health professional who cares for the body's neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and bones. They perform chiropractic treatment or therapy using their hands or special instruments to correct various musculoskeletal conditions, adjust the body's joints, and maintain overall body alignment. Such treatment is also commonly called joint manipulation or spinal manipulation. Lower back pain, muscle pain, neck pain, and headaches are the most common ailments a chiropractor treats.
Chiropractic care for pain
Anyone who has felt pain knows how all-consuming it can be. A person suffering from chronic pain will do almost anything to find relief. Chiropractic care is one of the many safe options available, which has relieved millions of Americans who suffer from long-term pain. It is a form of therapy that complements conventional medicine and involves a misaligned spine's physical alignment or adjustment. Chiropractors use techniques to trigger the body's natural healing ability to relieve pain and other conditions and symptoms.
What does chiropractics entail?
Chiropractic, like other forms of medicine, relies on scientific principles of diagnosis via testing and empirical observations. Chiropractors undergo rigorous training and obtain clinical experience before they start practicing. Chiropractic also goes beyond conventional medicine since the latter focuses on treating a disease after it occurs, while chiropractic aims to improve an individual's health to avoid illness in the first place.
It is one of the primary reasons for the recent increase in the popularity of chiropractic treatments. People are realizing the importance of seeking an alternative to traditional medicine to prevent illness and maintain optimal health.
Chiropractors can treat spinal subluxations. The term "subluxation" is derived from the Latin words "luxate" (to dislocate) and "somewhat or slightly" (sub). As a result, the term "vertebral subluxation" literally refers to a slight bone dislocation or misalignment in the spine. Subluxation has evolved to encapsulate the complex structural, functional, and neurological changes that occur when a bone is out of place.
The chiropractic approach to healthcare is holistic, considering your entire health. It recognizes that various factors impact your health, including exercise, diet, rest, and environment. As a result, chiropractors often recommend lifestyle changes such as modifying eating, exercising, and sleeping habits.
Chiropractic is thus much more than just a pain-relieving treatment. It aims to restore the body's optimal health by removing anything interfering with its standard healing capacity.
Chiropractors understand that abnormal alignment and motion of the vertebrae in the spinal column is one of the primary causes of pain and disease. Chiropractic treatment removes these, relieving nerve pressure and irritation, restoring joint mobility, and re-establishing the body's normal functioning.
Thus, chiropractic care effectively treats headaches, whiplash, sports injuries, and other musculoskeletal issues. In some cases, it is even effective in lowering blood pressure, reducing the frequency of childhood ear infections, and alleviating asthma symptoms. Every day, more scientific research demonstrates the tremendously negative impact of spinal misalignment on body tissue. For unrestricted bodily movements, the nervous system must be free of interference from any such hindrances.
What is spinal manipulation?
Spinal manipulation is a technique where medical professionals use their hands or a device to apply controlled pressure to a joint of your spine. The force varies, but the pressure helps move the joint more than it would. Spinal manipulation differs from spinal mobilization, which doesn't involve pressure, is performed within a joint's normal range of motion, and is in the patient's control.
Chiropractors perform most spinal manipulations, although osteopathic physicians and physical therapists also use this technique. Spinal manipulation treats lower back pain, neck pain, headache, sciatica, and other conditions.
Chiropractor vs. physical therapist
Both chiropractors and physical therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who treat and manage stiffness, chronic body pain, and discomfort through diverse treatment methods across lifespans. After evaluating the injury type, needs, and body ailment, they aim to improve patients' flexibility and mobility through a personalized plan. While both are suitable for treating many symptoms and health issues, their technique and perspectives may vary to achieve the desired results.
A chiropractor specializes in treating the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, including joints, muscles, tendons, and their functions. They emphasize spine alignment and manipulation to alleviate pain and inflammation. After evaluating the symptoms, they recommend massages, lifestyle, and dietary changes.
A physical therapist's primary focus is to restore strength, mobility, and functionality to the body and to manage pain in patients who are ill or injured. They conduct a thorough evaluation and diagnosis before designing a treatment plan that includes exercise, therapy, and other techniques to alleviate pain and prevent further injury. Additionally, physical therapists suggest alternate postures and ways to avoid injury and pain.
What is arthritis, and can it be cured?
A common disorder that results in discomfort, swelling, and restricted movement is arthritis. They have an impact on connective tissues and joints. In the US, millions of people have arthritis. Interestingly, women experience arthritis and other rheumatic disorders more frequently than males do. Arthritis is commonly connected to aging; however, it could impact anyone regardless of age.
Arthritis has no known treatment. However, maintaining a functioning joint is crucial to minimizing pain and inflammation. You can follow a treatment strategy with your healthcare professional that incorporates therapy and medication.
Further, you can also try out these lifestyle changes to help manage arthritis:
- Losing weight: Extra pounds put weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips, under more stress. So, it would help if you considered maintaining a healthy weight.
- Exercise/physical activity: Some exercises may help reduce stiffness and joint pain. You can try swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, and range-of-motion exercises. Stretching exercises also improve the flexibility of joints.
- Usage of assistive devices: Crutches, canes, and walkers can keep stress off certain joints and improve/provide you added balance.
- Usage of adaptive equipment: Grabbers and reachers let you extend your reach and reduce straining. Dressing aids can help you get dressed with ease.
When should you see a chiropractor?
Chiropractic care can benefit millions of people, but not all of them. Let's discuss why and when you should see a chiropractor for a chiropractic massage near you. You may benefit from consulting a chiropractor near you f you have neck, back, or knee pain not caused by advanced osteoarthritis. Just make sure that they are licensed to practice. Patients with milder forms of joint disease benefit most from chiropractic care. Examples include sciatica and old sports injuries.
Furthermore, patients with frozen shoulder syndrome can benefit from chiropractic adjustments like stretching the shoulder muscles to reduce stiffness. Chronic pain, fatigue, digestive issues, lack of energy, muscle aches, tingling, and numbness are common reasons people seek chiropractic care.
However, patients with herniated or slipped discs, as well as those with arthritis, may need to consult with a specialist before seeing a chiropractor. Similarly, chiropractic care may not be appropriate if you have a physical abnormality or injury, such as a fracture. People with osteoporosis and poor general health should also consult a doctor before beginning chiropractic care.
How can you tell if you might benefit from seeing a chiropractor? Ask a chiropractor! They
will tell you if chiropractic care can help your condition. An in-person consultation will enable them to determine whether or not you should seek their care.
What can you expect during your visit to the chiropractor near you?
The chiropractor may ask questions about general health, symptoms or discomfort, and your medical history. They may also ask about your daily routine, diet, and sleeping patterns. Next, they will physically examine your spine and back muscles. They may even check your overall muscle strength, leg and arm mobility, and hip and shoulder joints to identify the vulnerable areas and recommend preventive therapy.
If you suffer from specific symptoms or discomfort, the chiropractor will check the area to identify the ailment and provide appropriate treatment. They may also recommend additional screenings or tests, such as an X-ray, for an in-depth assessment. Finally, after they make their diagnosis, they can perform therapies, including:
- Stretches and exercise: Your chiropractor may recommend exercises to maintain and restore joint and muscle mobility and stability.
- Soft tissue therapy: It can help relieve spasms, relax tight muscles, and release tension from the connective tissues surrounding every muscle.
- Adjustments: These can gently realign the joints to increase mobility and decrease pain.
- Joint taping or bracing: This can support strained muscles or joints for better healing.
- Referrals to integrative medical experts: Apart from offering chiropractic care, the practitioner may also make referrals to other specialists. This can help patients attain further advice on the appropriate nutritional intake to reduce inflammation. They can also receive guidance on managing weight, promoting healthy eating habits, and mitigating other illnesses.
- During treatment: Depending on your symptom or condition, the chiropractor may move you into a specific position to treat the affected area. Often, they ask patients to lie face down on the medical chiropractic table and use their hands to apply a sudden controlled force on a specific joint. The pressure eases the joint and pushes it beyond its normal range of motion. It is common for patients to hear a cracking or popping sound as the chiropractor works on moving the joints during the therapy session.
- After treatment: Some patients may experience minor side effects after comprehensive chiropractic therapy for a few days. These may include pain in the treated body parts, fatigue, or headache. The chiropractor will recommend after-treatment best practices to manage these temporary sensations and ensure the longevity of the treatment results.
Questions to ask your chiropractor
When visiting a chiropractor, it can be helpful to ask the following questions to make an informed decision about your provider and treatment options:
What are your qualifications?
A chiropractor should complete their Doctor of Chiropractic degree, be certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and have a state license to practice. These qualifications ensure you are consulting with an appropriately trained, educated, and vetted professional.
Will chiropractic medicine improve my condition?
Chiropractic care can effectively relieve back and neck pain, arthritis pain, sciatica, stress, tension, and more. It may also help improve posture and prevent sports injuries. While highly versatile, it's always best to consult the doctor to confirm if chiropractic treatment can address your specific condition.
What is your approach to treatment?
Chiropractors use various techniques, so it is essential to ask about the methods or combinations your chiropractor prefers. Common approaches include spinal manipulation, mobilization, dry needling, and massage. Discuss how they would address your condition and why they believe their method is the best option for you.
How long will each treatment session take, and how often will I need treatments?
Treatment length and frequency vary based on individual cases. It is essential to ask about typical timelines for improvement, average session durations, and how often you will need treatments. This helps you plan ahead and avoid unexpected financial or time-related surprises.
What type of diagnostic testing do I need?
Some chiropractors may recommend X-rays before beginning treatment to rule out certain conditions and tailor your care. X-rays may be essential if another doctor hasn't already diagnosed your condition using imaging.
Should I be worried about any risks involved with chiropractic care?
While chiropractic care is non-invasive, risks may depend on your condition and the techniques used. Discuss potential risks with your chiropractor to ensure you have all the necessary information before beginning treatment.
How much does the treatment cost?
Treatment costs may vary, so it is crucial to ask about fees upfront. In many cases, health insurance covers 50-100% of chiropractic care. If your insurance does not cover it, you will need to plan for out-of-pocket expenses.
Finding the right chiropractor near you in Colorado Springs
If you suffer from chronic joint, neck, back, or body pain, go for a chiropractic massage near you to ease your symptoms and gain some relief. You may have to go for one or many visits depending on your condition.
Thus, to find a reliable practitioner in your vicinity, you can rely on Zocdochttps://www.zocdoc.com. It is a free-to-use online platform where you must register, state your symptoms, and choose the location, date, and time that suits you. Subsequently, a list of chiropractors who meet your requirements will appear.
Zocdoc also helps you find practitioners who accept your health coverage plan. You can apply more filters, such as gender, language, qualifications, and specialty, to conduct a more specialized search. Zocdoc also grants you access to verified patient reviews and ratings of qualified chiropractors providing chiropractic massage near you so that you can make an informed decision. Once you have decided on a chiropractor, you can book an in-person or virtual consultation easily, securely, and at no extra cost.
Adding a photo of your health insurance card will help you find the right insurance plan on Zocdoc, but it is not essential. If you do not want to upload an image of your card, manually enter your insurance information into your account by selecting your plan from a selection. Reach out to Zocdoc's patient help center for queries on health insurance.
Statistics on chiropractic treatment and pain in Colorado
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 870 chiropractors were practicing in Colorado as of May 2021.
The popularity of chiropractic treatment has been growing in the United States. According to the National Library of Medicine, chronic low back pain is a significant problem in Colorado, consistently appearing in the top three health issues in the state since 1990.
While low back pain incidence in the state has increased by about 57% from 1990 to 2019, neck pain has risen by around 112%. Moreover, studies suggest that approximately 30% of the state's children and adolescents suffer from chronic pain lasting three months or longer. It has also been found that such pain affects more women than men.
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
CB Physiotherapy
Wooster Community Hospital
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Library of Medicine
Renew Accident & Injury Chiropractic Clinic
American Chiropractic Association
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Wooster Community Hospital
