Who is a chiropractor?
Chiropractic is a healthcare field concentrating on the neuromusculoskeletal system, encompassing bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Chiropractors are medical professionals who can alleviate body pain by making body adjustments. This holistic approach also incorporates treatments like nutrition and exercise to enhance the body's natural ability to heal itself. Properly delivered chiropractic care improves the performance of the neuromusculoskeletal system and, as a result, enhances the functioning of other systems throughout the body.
Chiropractors assess a patient by examining the position of their spine and muscle reflexes. They may conduct additional tests and X-rays to diagnose a particular neuromusculoskeletal issue. Chiropractors formulate a treatment plan customized to the patient's needs and monitor the progress. Instead of prescribing pain medication, chiropractors rely on and enhance the body's self-healing abilities. Their main therapy is spinal manipulation, where they use their hands or instruments to apply force to a joint in the spine, adjusting it to a specific direction for improved alignment.
Besides spinal manipulation, chiropractors may provide other treatments, such as:
- Relaxation
- Stimulation
- Hot and cold treatment
- Exercise
- Diet and weight loss counseling
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment, also called spinal manipulation, is a technique performed by a chiropractor that involves using hands or small instruments to apply controlled pressure to a spinal joint. The objective is to enhance spinal mobility and improve the body's overall functioning. People also prefer chiropractic care from the comfort of their own homes for spinal-related issues because it's an entirely non-pharmacological therapy. Home chiropractic adjustments are safe when performed for the appropriate condition by a licensed and trained chiropractic professional. Although rare, complications may occur.
Chiropractic adjustments target symptoms affecting the musculoskeletal system, including aches, pain, muscle stiffness, and chronic conditions. Some individuals opt for chiropractic adjustments as an alternative form of treatment without prescription medication.
Who can undergo chiropractic adjustments?
Chiropractic adjustments are a suitable treatment option for both children and adults, with the most common age range for chiropractic care being between 45 and 64 years old. Women are more likely to seek chiropractic care than men.
Prior to receiving a chiropractic adjustment, screening is necessary to determine if chiropractic care is the right option for you. If chiropractic treatment is unsuitable for your condition, your chiropractor will direct you to another healthcare provider for assistance.
What are the common conditions treated by chiropractors?
Chiropractic care aims to correct damage, disorder, and misalignment in the joints, particularly in the spine. It can help bring positive changes in a wide variety of conditions because it addresses both localized joint issues and overall posture, which affects well-being. Some conditions treated by chiropractors include:
- Back problems: Back problems such as discomfort, poor posture, and pain can lead patients to seek chiropractic treatment. In some cases, patients may have more complex conditions like fibromyalgia, a chronic musculoskeletal issue.
- Arthritis: Both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, caused by immune system disorder and tissue degeneration, respectively, can be treated by chiropractors through joint manipulation and mobility restoration.
- Headaches: Chiropractors can also relieve tension headaches by locating trigger points in neck muscles, such as the suboccipitals, splenius muscles, trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid.
- Neck pain: The neck, consisting of seven small vertebrae called the "cervical spine," is a crucial and delicate body part. Chiropractic care can relieve neck pain.
- Musculoskeletal conditions: Chiropractic therapy adjusts joints and posture to correct various musculoskeletal problems.
Visiting the best chiropractor near you may also help you with the following conditions: plantar fasciitis, epicondylitis, tendinitis, sprains, strains, fractures, ligament injuries, myelopathy, whiplash, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), stroke, dislocation, frozen joints, muscle, joint, or ligament tears and pulls, herniated discs, scoliosis, medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), osteoarthritis, ruptured discs or tendons, scurvy, shin splints, chronic discomfort, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle, in simple words, is being a couch potato. It means spending prolonged periods sitting or in low physical activity. It affects not only your physical but your mental health, too, by increasing the risk of chronic health conditions. These include heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, and even death. Here are some of the common negative effects:
- Weight gain and obesity: Inadequate physical activity can lead to weight gain and obesity. Excess calories can be stored as fat when you do not burn them through physical activity.
- Cardiovascular health: Prolonged sitting can lead to an elevated risk of heart disease, as it can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and reduced circulation.
- Metabolic health: Lack of movement can lead to insulin resistance, contributing to type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.
- Muscle weakness and loss: Inactivity can lead to muscle atrophy and weakness, affecting your ability to perform everyday tasks and increasing the risk of injury.
- Bone health: A sedentary lifestyle can decrease bone density.
- Mental health: Sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Physical activity is known to release endorphins. These are natural mood lifters.
- Reduced lifespan: Some studies suggest that a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of premature death.
- Cancer: Being a couch potato also raises the risk of developing certain cancers. These include colon, breast, and uterine cancers.
It is important to note that the adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle can be cumulative and long-term. Incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine is crucial to mitigate these effects. Thus, take breaks from sitting and maintain a balanced and active lifestyle. Additionally, taking advice from a healthcare professional, in this case, is a wiser choice.
Finding the best chiropractor near you in Portland, Oregon
You must consult a chiropractor if you are experiencing any muscle or joint pain that lasts for more than just a couple of days. If you are searching for qualified chiropractors in Portland, Oregon, then Zocdoc is here to assist you!
Zocdoc is a search engine that helps you find the top-rated medical professionals near you. To find a suitable chiropractor, visit the Zocdoc website and enter your locality, specialty, appointment slots, zip code details, and insurance carrier plans. You can further filter your search by gender, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, and whether or not the chiropractor treats children.
Before shortlisting a chiropractor, you can learn more about them through their profiles, which include relevant information, including qualifications, expertise, years of practice, and additional qualifications. These profiles help you choose the right professional for your specific needs. To add to the chiropractor’s credibility, Zocdoc also gives you access to verified past patient reviews to help you make an informed decision.
Locating the best chiropractor near you is now easier! Booking appointments on Zocdoc is extremely simple, 100% secure, and free.
Chiropractic-related statistics, Portland, Oregon
Chiropractic care is a popular alternative medical treatment option in Portland, Oregon, and the number of chiropractors in the city has been steadily increasing in recent years. According to the American Chiropractic Association, there were over 40 chiropractic clinics in Portland as of 2021; this represents a significant increase from a decade ago when the number of chiropractors in the city was estimated to be around 25. One reason for the increased demand for chiropractic care in Portland is the city's growing population, which has increased the number of people experiencing musculoskeletal pain and other conditions that chiropractic care can alleviate.
The cost of chiropractic care in Portland is similar to the average cost in the United States. A typical chiropractic visit in the city costs around $70 to $100. However, prices can vary depending on the treatment received and the chiropractor's experience level.
As of 2021, 25.4% of people in Oregon had arthritis. The highest percentage (50.1%) was in those above 65 years. Additionally, more females (30.7%) had arthritis than males (19.9%).
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic[1]
American Chiropractic Association
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
America's Health Rankings
MedlinePlus
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
National Center for Biotechnology Information
