If you’ve never been to the chiropractor, you may wonder how they can help you relieve pain and what does the treatment comprise of. Chiropractic care helps to alleviate pain in various parts of the body, which can greatly impact the details of how your whole body functions.
There is also a common misconception that chiropractors only deal with spine-related pain – but there are actually common ailments that can also benefit from their care. So, when do you need to visit one? If you are suffering from any of these conditions below, it may be worth your time to receive chiropractic care.
1. Back pain
This is probably the most common reason why people visit a chiropractor. More often than not, back pain is caused by a nerve impingement or a biomechanical joint issue. This can be the result of minor issues, such as poor posture and sleeping in the wrong position, or severe conditions like scoliosis, disc herniations and degenerative disk disease. Treatment usually involves spinal adjustment to ease tension and bring relief.
2. Neck pain
People often brush off their neck pain as a normal occurrence, but if it occurs for extended periods of time, it can actually signal that something is wrong. A misaligned spine can lead to tension and irritation surrounding the muscle tissues. Chiropractors may use cervical manipulation to loosen up the joints of the cervical vertebrae in the neck and thereby reduce pain.
3. Headaches and migraines
Spinal bones in the neck and upper back that lose their normal motion or position can affect the surrounding nerves, resulting in chronic headaches, dizziness, migraines and giddiness. Sometimes, you may also experience ringing in the ears and even sinus problems. There’s a number of reasons that cause headaches, such as falls, injuries, poor posture, dehydration and food intake. Chiropractic care for headaches involves realigning the injured cervical vertebrae to decrease the intensity and frequency.
4. Whiplash
Whiplash is the most common neck sprain injury that results from a car accident. This happens when the soft tissues of your neck extend beyond their normal range of motion and in rapid movement. The symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, and neck stiffness, especially when you try to turn your head. Spinal manipulation and muscle stimulations can be used by chiropractors for whiplash treatments.
5. Arm and leg pain
We are constantly using our arms and legs, which makes them prone to many possible injuries. Sometimes, the pain can develop gradually over time and you might be unaware of the cause behind it. Frozen shoulder, arthritis, tendinitis and joint dysfunctions are just some of the most common causes.
There could also be referred pain, where pain experienced in one area is caused by an injury or pain in another part of your body. For instance, headaches can result from issues related to neck muscles, rather than the head itself. Chiropractors are trained in identifying the patterns of referred pain and addressing its source.
What does chiropractic care involve?
Chiropractors specialise in relieving pain that arises from issues related to the spine and the musculoskeletal system. They typically work manually on the client’s body with their hands, adjusting or manipulating the spine and other body parts to get them in proper alignment.
Before they can decide on the appropriate chiropractic adjustment, a physical assessment will be done on the body to examine the multiple causes of pain and how to address them. This evaluation can also involve taking one’s medical history and using advanced imaging techniques.
Some of the treatments involved may include:
- Therapeutic massages to alleviate tension around the spine
- Spinal adjustments to correct subluxations of the spinal vertebrae
- Exercise regimens designed to strengthen important muscle groups
How can chiropractic care improve your quality of life?
Apart from improving your physical health and getting you on the road to recovery, there are also other benefits that come with chiropractic care to boost your overall wellness.
- Stress relief
A misaligned spine will not only cause physical stress and pain, it will also lead to mental stress and tension as you are unable to let your body function in the best way. Plus, the chiropractor session itself can help you feel relaxed and elevate your mood – putting you in a better state of mind as you are rebuilding and restoring your health.
- Immune system
The spine is a part of your central nervous system, which means that any misalignments on it can cause different parts of the body to not receive vital signals that are necessary to function. This can lead to a poor immune system that makes recovering from illness much slower, and even digestive issues experienced in the digestive system.
- Better sleep
As you know, lack of sleep can lead to a host of issues. And when you’re suffering from pain, body aches and stress, you might struggle with getting enough rest and quality sleep at night. Proper spinal alignment can lower your pain while in bed, thus improving your sleep over time. When you are sleeping well, this increases pain relief and overall health and wellness.
Conclusion
If you’re facing musculoskeletal problems, chronic pain or nervous system-related issues, chiropractic care is a form of holistic health treatment that allows the body to heal naturally without the need for medicine or surgery. You can expect to find relief from discomfort, reduce your pain and improve your mobility to get on with your day-to-day activities.
With that said, if you are still experiencing persistent pains and aches, it may be wise to consult with a doctor who can provide other forms of treatment to improve your condition. With the MyCLNQ app, you can easily see a virtual doctor conveniently without leaving the comforts of your home. As the leading app for telemedicine in Singapore, this is your one-stop service for all your healthcare needs. Apart from teleconsultations and private ambulance bookings, you can also place an order for various health products and medical equipment as well as get your medicine delivered right to your doorstep.