What are Chiropractors?
Chiropractors are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain. The chiropractic philosophy is to treat musculoskeletal pain without the use of medication. Chiropractors utilize manipulations and therapy modalities. Repetitive movements, prolonged abnormal posture or an injury can affect spinal vertebrae and irritate spinal joint capsules. A spinal manipulation is used to restore normal joint function.
Altered Joint Bio-mechanics can cause:
- Inflammation at the joint
- Localized pain
- Pain radiating to different areas
- Pain with movement
- Numbness and tingling
Normal joint function is a joint free of restriction and allowed to move. Movement of vertebrae is important because it allows flow of nutrients in and out of joints which creates a healthy joint. Lack of movement accelerates degenerative changes within joints and discs. The lack of joint movement not only irritates the ligaments surrounding the joint, but can also cause spasms in nearby muscles. This leads to localized pain or pain that radiates.
Our type of treatment begins with joint manipulation, but takes it a step further by addressing overactive muscles, muscular imbalances and any postural shifts in the spine. Depending on the symptoms and findings, you may be recommended for spine and posture correction treatment.
Some common misconceptions about Chiropractic:
The cracking sound means it worked: The goal of a manipulation is to create movement within a joint and not a cracking or popping sound. The cracking sound that may occur is only a side effect. We may or may not create a cracking with a manipulation.
Once you start treatment you have to go the rest of your life: Once you are out of pain we will educate you on injury prevention and health optimization and you make the decision for future care yourself. You wouldn't join a gym and stop once you get into shape, you have to continue to work to maintain that level of fitness and make it apart of your routine. Our lives are very dynamic and we will need periodic physical check ups.
Manipulations are painful: The manipulations are fairly quick and you will feel more of a relief and decrease of tension rather than pain. There is also more than one way to mobilize joints. We use non forceful techniques for those fearful of the typical chiropractic adjustment.
All Chiropractors do the same treatment: Most Chiropractors have a similar philosophy but treatment methods may differ from one Chiropractor to the next. There is much more research available today and treatment has become much more evidence based. It is important to do your own research and determine which type of care and Chiropractor is right for you.