Chiropractic treatments detect abnormalities in your spinal structures and their impact on your nervous system and other bodily functions. Chiropractors use their hands to apply subtle pressure on the spine. They correct spinal misalignments that contribute to a wide range of painful conditions like neck pain, back pain, headaches, and joint disorders.
The spine is the core of chiropractic therapy. But, chiropractors also manipulate tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints to improve the balance and functioning of your entire body.
What Changes Can You Feel After Chiropractic Treatments?
A pain-free life is the first change you feel after a chiropractic adjustment. Some may have sore muscles for a few days which however is temporary. Chiropractic treatments also include patient education where the professional explains the condition, its causes and outcomes to you. You get a thorough understanding of the activities that can aggravate the symptoms.
The common changes to expect after chiropractic care:
- Spine flexibility
- Reduced pain
- Reduced fatigue
- More Relaxation
- Greater feeling of wellness
- Greater concentration levels
- Better sleep quality
You also get advice on nutrition and exercises that you must practise daily. These lifestyle changes empower the patient to live a life of well-being.
Chiropractic is one of the safest therapies to treat spine-related or musculoskeletal conditions. But, it is not for everyone. Thus, a highly trained professional performs physical tests and assesses the symptoms closely to decide if it is the right treatment for you. At Physiotherapy First, for instance, the chiropractic professionals consult and assess your injuries on the first visit. They recommend spinal adjustments or manual therapies based on the test results.
Who is a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who works directly or indirectly with the muscles, nerves, bones, ligaments and tendons. They study the relationship between your body’s structure (primarily the spine) and functioning.
The spine houses a bundle of nerves that extends from the brain to the lower back. These nerves are responsible for sensations and movements in our body. Whether you feel pain in the arm or struggle to move it in a specific direction, the nervous system is the reason behind it.
Chiropractors believe misalignments in the spine can interfere with the nervous system causing a wide range of health problems. So, they focus on realigning the spine to reduce pain and ease movement problems.
Here’s an example to help you understand better.
Let’s say you go to a chiropractor with a stabbing pain in your lower back.
The chiropractor checks for misalignments in your spine that are disrupting nerve signals and causing lower back pain.
They apply a suitable technique (also known as manipulations) to fix the spinal misalignments. The application of a controlled force on the spine reduces pain, improves the range of motion and enhances your overall function.
You can feel the pain subside and get moving efficiently.
Are chiropractors doctors?
Chiropractors are not medical doctors. They are doctors of chiropractic care. Chiropractors go through years of education and training to become licensed healthcare professionals with expertise in musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
In Canada, chiropractors are health professionals who are regulated by the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO). Doctors of Chiropractic complete at least seven years of post-secondary education before registering with CCO.
Note: Chiropractors are authorized to use ‘Doctor’ as a title within their scope of practice.
What exactly do Chiropractors Do?
Chiropractors are spine experts. The majority of conditions that cause pain and movement difficulties are related to some defects in the spine. Chiropractors assess these spinal defects, diagnose the condition and adopt a non-invasive approach to fixing the defects in the spine.
Chiropractors also assess, diagnose and treat conditions that affect your joints and nervous system. They use manual therapies and may combine other types of non-invasive treatments like physiotherapy to bring the best health outcomes.
Here’s an example of what a chiropractor does.
Let’s say you went to a chiropractor for an annoying back pain that has been bothering you for weeks. The chiropractor conducts a thorough examination and deduces that a misalignment in your spine is causing the pain.
They apply specific techniques to correct the misalignment. Spinal adjustment is one of the most common techniques chiropractors use. It involves the application of a controlled force to the misaligned vertebrae to bring them back to their original position. This relieves pressure on the nerves and improves the overall function of your spine, reducing back pain.
Which Conditions Do They Treat?
Chiropractors treat musculoskeletal conditions that affect your spine and the central nervous system. Here are some of the common conditions they treat:
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Sciatica
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Sports injuries
- Whiplash
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Scoliosis
Pain is the most common symptom of why people visit chiropractic care centres. You can also consult with a chiropractor if you are unable to move a body part like you used to.
What to Expect at Chiropractic Clinics?
It is normal to be worried if it’s your first time seeing a chiropractor.
Here’s a breakdown of the procedure details so you enter the clinic fully prepared.
Initial consultation and diagnosis
The first visit is where the chiropractors listen to your problems. They ask about your medical history and current symptoms. They may perform specific physical tests such as X-rays or MRIs to detect the underlying defect that might be causing the problem. Chiropractors focus mainly on the spine.
Unique treatment plan
Once the diagnosis is done, the professionals prepare a treatment plan to fix the problem. The motive is to fix the misalignments in your joints or the spine that are causing you pain or discomfort. So, chiropractors use different types of adjustments and manual therapies which are often applied to the spine.
The treatments involve:
- Spinal adjustment
- Heat and ice therapy
- Relaxation techniques
- Electrical stimulation
- General exercise rehabilitation
- Counselling about lifestyle changes
- Dietary advice
All treatments are non-invasive and free from side effects. Your chiropractor will explain the treatment details before the sessions begin.
Therapy extension
The duty of a chiropractor doesn’t end with the sessions. They recommend specific exercises and stretches for the patient to do at home and prevent the conditions from recurring. Besides chiropractic treatments, the professionals may also provide advice on lifestyle, diet and ergonomics to maintain the patient’s overall well-being.
