Chiropractors use hands-on adjustments to reduce pain and help your body heal itself. They focus on health problems that affect your nerves, muscles, and bones, especially the spine. They also treat a number of other conditions, such as headaches, numbness, and tingling. The most common treatment is spinal manipulation, which involves a chiropractor using their hands to move your vertebrae back into place. Your chiropractor may also use soft-tissue therapy, exercise, and traction.
Unlike surgery and medications, which can have serious side effects, chiropractic therapy offers all-natural and holistic options for pain relief. Many people choose to see a chiropractor before resorting to more invasive treatments, such as surgery or prescription pain medication.
The National Institute for Health https://www.elmsfordchiropractic.com/chiropractic-care and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends spinal manipulation as a treatment option for ongoing lower back pain. Research suggests that it can help improve your movement and flexibility and lessen your pain. However, it isn’t suitable for everyone.
Most of the time, a chiropractor will treat you as an individual and tailor your treatment to your needs. They’ll ask questions about your past health and symptoms, then perform a physical examination. They may also order diagnostic tests to help find out what’s causing your pain.
If they think that chiropractic treatment could help, they’ll create a management plan and start your care. They may suggest you try a series of short sessions of spinal manipulation a few times a week at first, then less often once your pain is under control. They may also suggest a combination of treatments, such as deep tissue massage or joint manipulation, along with lifestyle advice and stretches to do at home.
Some healthcare providers don’t think that chiropractic is effective, but others believe that it has a role in treating some health problems. For example, research has found that spinal manipulation can reduce pain from fibromyalgia, and that it may be as effective as drugs for relieving pain in some people with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.
Although a few studies have shown that spinal manipulation isn’t helpful for some conditions, it has generally been found to be safe and does help with low back pain. It can also relieve neck pain caused by whiplash and headaches. It can also reduce the need for opioids, such as morphine, for some people with chronic pain.
It’s important to choose a reputable chiropractor and make sure they’re licensed by your state’s chiropractic board. Ask for recommendations from friends and family, or search for a chiropractor in your area. It’s also worth arranging for a consultation to see if they’re a good fit for you before starting treatment. You can look up a chiropractor’s qualifications online or on the American Chiropractic Association’s website. You can also check whether they take your insurance. If they don’t, it’s worth asking them if you can buy a package of sessions up front. This can be cheaper than paying per session. Thrive is a wellness center with a chiropractor and other specialists who can provide chiropractic care as well as exercise, massage, and acupuncture.