Chiropractors That Care

Whichever specific health issue you’re currently facing, we’ll be more than happy to sit down and discuss it with you and see how we can help.

Chiropractic Adjustment

A chiropractic adjustment is a therapeutic treatment by a licensed chiropractor. Your chiropractor will use pressure to manipulate joints in your body to realign your spine and reduce pain and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments complement traditional medical care you receive. You might feel sore after a chiropractic adjustment.

Overview

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is a therapeutic treatment where a licensed chiropractor uses their hands or special instruments to manipulate joints in your body. This treatment is also called spinal manipulation or joint manipulation. A chiropractic adjustment can help reduce pain, correct your body’s alignment and how your body functions physically. Chiropractic adjustments offer treatment that complements traditional medical care you receive.

Who is a chiropractor?

A chiropractor treats many conditions affecting the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Think of a chiropractor as a doctor who cares for any kind of muscle, bone or joint pain or dysfunction. The most common reasons for a chiropractic adjustment include:

  • Lower back pain.
  • Neck pain.
  • Muscle pain.
  • Headaches.

In addition, chiropractors can treat musculoskeletal pain anywhere in your body: in your head and jaws, shoulders, elbows and wrists, hips and pelvis and your knees and ankles.

What does a chiropractor do?

Chiropractors treat aches, pains, creaks and strains. If you’ve got a problem that involves your musculoskeletal system, a chiropractor can offer alternative methods of treatment that don’t involve prescribing medicine.

Treatment that a chiropractor may offer includes:

  • Adjustments: To gently realign joints to decrease pain and increase range of motion.
  • Soft-tissue therapy: To relax tight muscles, relieve spasms and release tension in the connective tissue that surrounds each muscle (fascia).
  • Exercises and stretches: To restore and maintain joint stability and mobility.
  • Joint bracing/taping (Kinesio taping): To support sprained joints or muscles as they heal.
  • Referrals to integrative medicine experts: For guidance on diet and nutrition to reduce inflammation and/or promote healthy eating to manage weight.

What does a chiropractic adjustment treat/manage?

Each person who seeks a chiropractic adjustment has a unique reason for their appointment, but all chiropractic adjustments treat your musculoskeletal system. Some people choose to have a chiropractic adjustment if they have the following conditions:

Chiropractors make sure not only that your joints are moving properly, but also that your surrounding muscles are functioning as well.

Why is a chiropractic adjustment done?

Chiropractic adjustments focus on alleviating symptoms that affect the musculoskeletal system. This could be to treat aches and pain, muscle stiffness or chronic conditions. Some people choose to get a chiropractic adjustment if they want an alternative form of treatment that doesn’t involve taking prescription medicine.

How common are chiropractic adjustments?

Chiropractic adjustments are the most common alternative treatment option in the United States.

Who can get a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is an effective treatment option for all ages, including both children and adults. The most common age range for someone to seek chiropractic care is between 45 and 64 years old. It’s more common for people assigned female at birth rather than people assigned male at birth to visit a chiropractor.

You should receive a screening before a chiropractic adjustment to ensure that you’re a good candidate for chiropractic care. If chiropractic care is not appropriate for your condition, your chiropractor will refer you to another healthcare provider to help you.

Procedure Details

What happens before a chiropractic adjustment?

At your first visit, your chiropractor will discuss your medical history and perform a physical exam. If needed, they’ll order diagnostic imaging tests done to understand more about your musculoskeletal system including:

After learning more about your symptoms and what might be causing your discomfort, your chiropractor will develop a unique treatment plan based on exam findings and the results of your tests.

What happens during a chiropractic adjustment?

During a chiropractic adjustment, your chiropractor will offer treatment that is unique to meet your needs.

You will lie face down on a chiropractic table that allows certain parts of your body (divided into segments) to lift slightly higher than the rest, which helps your chiropractor apply pressure to a specific area.

Your chiropractor will use their hands or small instruments to apply a quick, controlled force (amount of pressure) to a joint or they will gently stretch your joints beyond their normal range of motion. This helps align the vertebrae in your spine if they were slightly off-center and release gases trapped within your joints.

What is the popping sound I hear during a chiropractic adjustment?

You may feel and hear a popping or cracking sensations during a chiropractic adjustment. These are gases, like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, released from your joints. Gas gets trapped in small cavities of your joints when you move and stretch. While this gas release may be more apparent during a chiropractic adjustment, you experience a similar sound when you crack your knuckles.

Does a chiropractic adjustment hurt?

Chiropractic adjustments offer little to no pain during a procedure, similar to what you might feel after a workout. You will not feel severe pain during a chiropractic adjustment. Your chiropractor will apply a controlled amount of force (pressure) to your joints, which creates a cracking or popping noise as the gas leaves your joints. While this may sound painful, it doesn’t feel painful.

What happens after a chiropractic adjustment?

After a chiropractic adjustment, you might feel mild soreness or have very minor aches in areas of your body that your chiropractor worked on. This feeling usually goes away within 24 hours and rarely affects people who see a chiropractor regularly.

After your appointment, your chiropractor might recommend “homework” for you to extend your therapy after an adjustment. These recommendations might include:

  • Exercises and stretches.
  • Proper ergonomics for improving your posture.
  • Icing/heat therapy or topical analgesics.
  • Advice on nutrition, diet, weight or general health.
  • Ways to manage stress and relax muscles.
  • Electrical muscle stimulation using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS).

Risks / Benefits

What are the benefits of a chiropractic adjustment?

There are several benefits of a chiropractic adjustment including:

  • Helps minimize migraines and neck-related headaches.
  • Improves your posture.
  • Reduces pain and improves range of motion of your spine and other joints.
  • Reduces symptoms of chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.
  • Treats minor neck or spine injuries, especially whiplash.

What are the side effects or complications of a chiropractic adjustment?

After a chiropractic adjustment, you may feel tired or sore. Some people might get mild headaches after a chiropractic adjustment. These side effects are temporary.

In rare cases, chiropractic care may cause serious complications such as:

You have a higher risk of side effects or complications if you have adjustments from people who aren’t trained and licensed. Only a licensed, professional chiropractor should treat you.

Recovery and Outlook

What is the recovery time for a chiropractic adjustment?

Many people feel almost immediate relief from symptoms after a chiropractic adjustment. After treatment, you might feel sore for 24 hours.

The goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore your health over the long term, rather than to relieve your symptoms short term. Your chiropractor will encourage you to learn about new ways to position your body at your desk, when you’re standing and moving and when you’re in bed. They might also recommend incorporating stretches into your daily routine. These long-term tips can help prevent future problems.

It’s important to inform your primary care physician about any pain you’re experiencing, whether recent or chronic (lasting more than three months). Your primary care doctor can rule out potentially serious problems that need treatment beyond a chiropractic adjustment.

When to Call the Doctor

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you receive a chiropractic adjustment and you feel unusual symptoms, such as weakness, numbness or worsening pain, contact your healthcare provider immediately for an evaluation.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Chiropractic adjustments might be right for you if you experience pain and want an alternative form of treatment. Most people will feel immediate relief after a chiropractic adjustment, while others could experience temporary minor pain after treatment. If you’re unsure if seeking chiropractic care is right for you, talk with your primary care provider about your symptoms and concerns.

9 Awesome Benefits Of Going To A Chiropractor

A good chiropractor can help you with sciatica, blood pressure, anxiety, stress, chronic pain, mental health and even ear infections by improving the drainage in your ears. It’s worth learning about what the benefits of chiropractic care can achieve. The next time you have digestive problems or your immune system is compromised, consider making an appointment.

We want you to make the most of a chiropractic visit. For this purpose, we have compiled a list of nine impressive wellness benefits of going to a chiropractor. Read on to learn more!

1. Relieving Sciatica

sciatica

If you suffer from lower back pain or discomfort of sciatica, a chiropractor can help. Sciatica is pain that occurs when the sciatic nerve comes under pressure. The nerve passes from the lower back through the hips, buttocks, legs and feet.

The cause of sciatica can come from many situations including:

  • Injury after a slip or fall
  • An awkward movement when you lift a heavy object, or even when you sneeze.
  • Wear and tear caused by repetitive movements, like working on a production line.
  • From tight muscles in the buttocks, known as the piriformis muscle.
  • When a disc in the back swells and puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.

A chiropractic adjustment helps reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve. This brings movement back to the hips, pelvis and lower back.

You may need regular chiropractic care to treat your sciatica. It depends on your individual situation. But, they can help you get back to a more comfortable state.

2. Neck And Back Pain

Most people visit a chiropractor for pain relief. The treatment of neck and back pain with a chiropractor is non-invasive, and crucial for your overall health.

Since it is non-invasive, this type of treatment is much less risky than surgery. The same is true of some types of pain medication with their side effects.

Pain management of the neck and back helps you with your muscle tension, range of motion and everyday activities. Your quality of life will improve and you can do more of the things you love.

3. Pregnancy

This is one of the advantages of seeing a chiropractor that not everyone knows. Chiropractic treatment helps women during pregnancy. A treatment plan can make pregnancy healthier and more comfortable, too.

Ask your chiropractor if this type of treatment is available. If so, they will help relieve stress on the spine from poor posture. They will also reduce stress by treating the nervous system with great health benefits.

4. Headache Relief

musculoskeletal headaches

Severe headaches and migraines are frequent. Researchers in Australia looked at the possibility of relieving migraines and musculoskeletal headaches through chiropractic treatment. Their research found you can get relief with cervical spinal manipulation from a chiropractor.

Neck, back and spinal misalignment can cause many headaches, and chiropractors can reduce the effects and frequency of headaches. They can reduce tension in your muscles, too, along with low back pain, reducing blood flow. This all helps with migraines.

Treating headaches is one of the most common reasons people visit chiropractors, chiropractic treatment is complementary to painkillers.

5. Athletic Performance

chiropractor

Professional sportsmen and women use chiropractors and physical therapy constantly. This fact shows how important it is to keep your body fit and ready for action.

Whether you’re a weekend or part-time athlete, seeing a chiropractor for healthcare treatment can help improve performance. Injury is common. A chiro can help with strains in your ligaments, or remove and correct subluxation issues. Chiropractors can reduce inflammation and pain from many injuries, too.

Whatever sport you play, it takes its toll. After treatment, you can return to enjoy the game you play. A chiropractor will help your body recover so you can get back on the field.

6. Digestion

Here too, much relates to your back and spine! The nerves that run down your spine control your digestive system. A visit to a chiropractor can help.

A chiropractor can help realign the vertebrae. This keeps the nerves from asking your digestive system for help, for example, by producing more acid. Stop this and you reduce heartburn, acid reflux and wind.

7. More Than Back Pain

chiropractic adjustment

Chiropractors treat more than backache. But, it’s not all they treat. Chiropractors can also treat pain in the knees, ankles, shoulders, neck, hips and elbows.

For example, if you suffer from osteoarthritis or osteoporosis in the hip or knee and need relief from discomfort, a chiropractor can help.

The knee often has limited movement in this condition. Your knee benefits from a chiropractor who manipulates and mobilises the joint. Treatment helps relieve the pain, giving you a better range of motion again.

8. Immunity

chiropractic adjustment

It’s all about our nervous system. The nervous system controls how our cells and organs work. If it does not work properly, it weakens your immune system.

A chiropractor’s work can relieve the nervous system. This allows them to improve the function of other parts of the body that fight bacteria and viruses. A healthy nervous system, improved by a chiropractor, should enable the rest of your body to ward off most mild colds without taking medication, allowing you to be drug free.

9. MRI Scans And X-Ray Referrals

A chiropractor will examine you carefully during your visit. It is important that they understand you, your situation and your discomfort.

A significant part of their examination will be visual and physical. But the chiropractor might not diagnose the problem with these methods.

If this is the case, a chiropractor could refer you for an X-ray or MRI scan to understand the cause of your pain.

The Benefits Of Going To A Chiropractor Are Surprising

As you can see, the benefits of going to a chiropractor are many and a bit surprising. But it all comes down to our nervous system affecting our health. Because so much of it goes through the spine, a chiropractor working on our back can improve our health and wellbeing.

Our team of experienced chiropractors can help you with various health issues. They can help with back and neck pain, muscle inflammation and injuries. Your treatment will also help with tasks like those listed above!

5 Top Benefits of Chiropractic that I Wish Someone Had Told Me About

Chiropractic is commonly thought of to help relief back pain and/or neck pain. But thinking of Chiropractic as pain relief is but skimming the surface of what it really is. Today, we want to peel that surface and look beneath to see what are some of the real benefits that Chiropractic can provide.

1. Goodbye, Pain!

Pain relief with chiropractic singapore

Yes, Chiropractic will help you deal with the pain you are experiencing.

Chiropractic has a long track record in providing pain-relief for people who are struggling with

  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Bad posture
  • Slipped disc
  • Headaches or migraine
  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Arthritis

And it is no surprise that if you are dealing with pain, it will affect the quality of your life. You may not be able to be as productive at work as you want to be. You may not be able to enjoy that early morning jog anymore. You may find yourself blowing your fuse much faster at the slightest of a trigger. You may want to crawl back into bed at every opportunity and see that affect your relationship with your loved ones.

And again, yes, Chiropractic is an all-natural approach that will help you relieve your body of the pain and get you closer towards your optimal self. With pain reduction, your quality of life will improve.

2. Hello, Good Posture!

Finding the best chiropractor in Singapore

Chiropractors specialise in the spine and nervous system. And your spine has two critical functions, which are to provide strength and stability to the structure of your body and to protect your nervous system. This is why your spine has to be properly aligned. And your posture serves as a mirror to what that alignment may be, which of course, can only be determined through a proper assessment done by your Chiropractor.

Your body goes through many physical stresses throughout your lifetime, including the moment of birth. And regardless of how much we try to “fix” our postures in our daily lives, the accumulation of hours in front of a computer or desk, looking down at your smart devices, walking in uncomfortable shoes, sleeping in an odd position, can all stress your spine to misalign over a long time.

And a physical problem requires a physical solution. Chiropractic adjustments improve alignment, enhance movement and aid in the health of your nervous system. As your misalignment is addressed, you may see it manifest in your posture too!

3. Get Healthy, Really Healthy

pain relief with chiropractic stretches

Again, Chiropractors specialise in the spine and nervous system. Your nervous system consists of your brain, spinal cord, and your nerves. Your nerves branch out like small wires from your spinal cord, which is then protected by your spine. If there is a misalignment of your spine, it will irritate the spinal cord and in turn your nerves and will decrease your nerve flow. Ultimately, this will lead to a decrease in function of whichever organ(s) that nerve(s) flows to.

And the problem is that it may take you years to feel this manifested as pain from your body. It may unveil itself as a minor problem, but could also be a major health breakdown. It usually starts with a nudge, and then eventually screams for your attention if you ignore it.

The thing is, being pain-free does not equal being healthy. Through Chiropractic Care, you can effectively address nerve interference, allowing one less thing from getting in the way of  functioning at your optimal self. Get to the root of what is causing you pain, and aim not to reduce that pain you are feeling, but to truly live a healthy life.

4. Prevention is Better Than Cure

Pain prevention with chiropractic singapore

As the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” Chiropractic is not just pain-relief, but it is a natural holistic approach that seeks to understand the root cause of your pain, so as to prevent further injury or misalignment and ultimately aid you in optimising your health at all stages of your life.

As we spoke of above, in most cases, the initial stage of spinal misalignment is silent. And the complexities of modern day life have opened up multiple avenues of physical and psychological stress that burden upon us.

Just as you brush your teeth to keep them healthy, just as you take your car in for regular check-ups, the most used machinery of your body, your spine needs to be checked and well maintained so it can perform its key functions of providing you strength and stability and keeping your nervous system healthy.

5. Live Your Optimal Life

 

Your nervous system also controls your ability to integrate and manage your stress as well as your rest and recovery cycles. Chiropractic adjustments are focused on the motion and alignment of your spine and has a positive effect on your nervous system.

Aside from the instant relief of pain after being adjusted, many of our practice members also report that the pain-relief causes a ripple effect, where they experience less stress generally and improved sleep.

This boost of energy can only translate to better performance in all aspects of one’s life.

5 Reasons Why Regular Chiropractic Care Is Important

When used as a treatment for adults with acute and chronic back pain, migraines, and dizziness, chiropractic care and spinal manipulation is an effective form of regular treatment. Chiropractic care is especially effective when used in combination with soft tissue techniques and other therapeutic exercises.

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a form of complementary medicine. It is practiced to help your body heal and achieve overall better wellness through hands-on specific manipulations and adjustments. While it often focuses on your spine, chiropractic care can address other areas of your body.

Chiropractic care aims to improve the function of the musculoskeletal system by realigning the spine and relieving tension in your joints. This modality of treatment is a non-invasive treatment option to help get your body back to functioning as it is supposed to.

Chiropractic care offers many benefits for both acute and chronic conditions as well as long-term wellness goals. The relief found in chiropractic care is more than just neck and back pain relief. You get benefits to blood pressure, immune system, pain reduction, mental health, and more with chiropractic care.

When you receive regular chiropractic care, you are working on creating a stable internal environment for your health to thrive. Regular chiropractic care is a low-risk and non-invasive treatment option that allows you to have symptom relief while building a long-term plan for wellness.

Chiropractic Care Offers Acute And Chronic Pain Relief

One of the best uses of a chiropractor and regular treatments is to help relieve the joint pain caused by everyday life and acute injuries. While some people may see chiropractic care as only useful for acute or chronic pain, evidence shows it is beneficial for both.

Neck pain is uncomfortable and inconvenient, and it can make things as simple as sleeping hard. With more and more people working desk jobs, there is a higher prevalence of hunched necks resulting in neck pain. Chiropractors can help relieve this pain through adjustments as well as soft tissue massage.

Another frequent flyer in chiropractic offices is back pain. This is often a combination of acute and chronic back pain. Patients who have not received adequate treatment for their acute injury often end up with chronic back pain. A less invasive alternative to back surgery, chiropractic adjustments can help relieve back pain caused by misaligned vertebrae, muscle tension, and even hip misalignment.

Injuries, especially injuries sustained in car accidents, are a large portion of patients who seek out chiropractic care. Chiropractic care can address pain and tension associated with car accident injuries, typically to the back and neck.

Chiropractic Adjustments Improve Range Of Motion & Enhance Athletic Performance

One of the great benefits of chiropractic adjustments is their benefit to your joints and, as a result, boost your athletic performance. Chiropractic care can facilitate faster recovery times after an injury and improve your range of motion to a better level than pre-injury. Reducing inflammation, decreasing oxidative stress, relieving muscle tension, and increasing energy levels are just some of the benefits athletes will see from regular chiropractic care.

As you see reduced back pain, joint inflammation, and increased range of motion, you may find that your athletic performance improves. So, in addition to helping with injury recovery, you could find you enjoy playing more as your performance improves.

Chiropractic Care Reduces Headache Symptoms

There are several types of headaches, and many may be relieved by improving your overall wellness, but tension headaches have shown the most improvement with chiropractic adjustments. One of the main goals of chiropractic adjustments is to help relieve muscle and joint tension. Tension headaches are caused by excessive stress and tension in the muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders. As you find relief from that tension, you may find your headaches resolve.

Cervicogenic headaches can also result from poor blood flow, lack of oxygenation, and even spine misalignments. Adjustments received through chiropractic care can help relieve the root causes of your headaches and lead to longer-term solutions.

Chiropractic Treatment Lessens Pain Reliever Dependency

A benefit of chiropractic treatment you may not think of is the potential for less dependency on pain relievers. Long-term usage of both over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers is not ideal for your overall health.

Chronic pain patients are often given opioid prescriptions, and there is evidence that patients who see both their regular doctor and a chiropractor need to fill their prescriptions less frequently.

Improves Posture & Overall Well-Being

Do you always worry about your posture? Good news! Chiropractic adjustments can help improve your overall posture and help relieve pain associated with sitting at a desk for long hours. Regular chiropractic care can help align and maintain the appropriate curves of the spine and pelvis.

When you find relief from some of these chronic pain causes, your overall wellness will improve. If you aren’t focused on pain or discomfort, you will have more mental energy to put toward things you truly enjoy.

How Often Should You See A Chiropractor?

How often you should see a chiropractor depends on several factors. It can also seem intimidating to incorporate another routine visit into your daily life. It’s always a great idea to have an initial consultation with a chiropractor to help determine how frequently you should be seen. This frequency will depend on your injury, or lack thereof, the level of pain you have, and your long-term health and wellness goals. There is a loose average of 8-12 weeks of sessions for long-term improvement in symptoms, but again this is dependent on many factors.

Top 12 Surprising Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor

Pain Relief and Management

Chiropractors can provide pain relief management by using spinal adjustments and manual therapies to address musculoskeletal issues that may be causing pain. Chiropractic care can reduce nerve compression, relieve muscle tension, and promote natural healing by restoring proper alignment and function to the spine and joints.

This method offers effective pain management for various conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint discomfort. Through non-invasive techniques, chiropractors aim to alleviate pain and improve overall well-being.

Enhanced Range of Motion

Chiropractors use several exercises and techniques that can help you improve your range of motion. They often work closely with reducing stiffness in joints and muscles, which can help improve the functions of the joints in the body. This can have a positive impact on the enhanced range of motion.

Improved Balance

Chiropractors can help improve balance by addressing musculoskeletal imbalances or dysfunctions affecting your stability. Through spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapies, and rehabilitation exercises, chiropractors enhance posture, strengthen muscles, and promote proper alignment.

Chiropractic care may improve balance and stability, reducing the risk of falls or balance-related issues.

Headache and Migraine Relief

In some cases, chiropractors help manage headaches and migraines by addressing any underlying issues in the spine. Addressing any stress in the spine, pressure on nerves that connect the spine and the head can often cause headaches.

They may even address any issues in the neck and shoulders, which can positively impact reducing headaches and provide relief from migraine.

Improved Neurological Conditions

Chiropractors often work with the spine and the nervous system as they understand how it functions. This deep knowledge of how the nerves and the body interact helps them tackle your neurological condition.

They can help in restoring some functions of the nervous system. They can decompress some regions that add stress to the spine and nerves, thereby relieving such pain.

Potential Reduction of Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Chiropractic care can help reduce the wear and tear of bones and cartilage due to osteoarthritis, as it often includes care and strengthening exercises. This can reduce the speed at which arthritic conditions may impact your bones and cartilage and help manage the situation better in the long run.

Reduction of Scoliosis Symptoms

Spinal adjustments and muscle therapy can help improve the condition of someone with scoliosis. This can positively impact the posture and reduce the possibility of the conditioning worsening. With consistent care, chiropractors can help manage the condition in the long run.

Improved Posture

Consistent care and therapy from a chiropractor can positively impact the individual’s posture, especially if someone has lifestyles that require strenuous usage of the back. Chiropractic care has the potential to gradually alleviate back stiffness and enhance posture, leading to noticeable improvements over time.

Stress Reduction

Chiropractic care can help reduce tension and relieve pain in chronic conditions of pain in individuals. This can positively impact the mental health of the individual and contribute to stress reduction.

General improvement in mobility, reduced pain in joints, and better posture are all possible through chiropractic care, which can relieve you of the stress of worrying about medical care and physical well-being.

Enhanced Athletic Performance

Chiropractic care may enhance athletic performance by optimizing musculoskeletal function and promoting overall wellness. By addressing spinal misalignment, relieving muscle tension, and improving joint mobility, chiropractors help athletes achieve better bio-mechanics, coordination, and range of motion.

This can lead to improved athletic performance, reduced risk of injury, faster recovery, and enhanced overall physical function. Additionally, chiropractors may provide personalized exercise and nutrition guidance to support optimal performance and help athletes reach their full potential.

Enhanced Joint Health

Chiropractic care can help improve joint health by focusing on reducing joint stress and pain. Chiropractors may use several ways of treating it, such as acupuncture, bone adjustment, physical therapy, or exercise. These can help reduce inflammation, increase the strength of the joints, and make you less prone to injuries.

Reduction in Pain Medication

Chiropractic care is often drug-free and offers an alternative to medicines and invasive treatments. It is a blend of several forms of alternative care that often include understanding the body, its stress response, and how to engage the musculoskeletal systems.

Consistent therapy can reduce the dependence on pain medication as it allows you to strengthen your body as you progress in your care.

ARE THERE CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT SIDE EFFECTS?

Family of four with young children running through a field during sunset in Millersville

When you visit a chiropractor for a spinal adjustment, you hope to leave feeling refreshed, relieved, and relaxed. For many people, that’s exactly what happens. Others feel more energetic and “lighter” than usual, with the high energy and upbeat attitude needed to exercise or complete household chores.

However, not everyone has such a positive experience immediately after leaving the chiropractor’s office or in the days that follow. Aching and soreness are common complaints, as are headaches, neck pain, and other discomforts. If you’re concerned about chiropractic adjustment side effects, learn about some of the most common sensations you may experience, why they happen, and whether you should be worried.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a field of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders, conditions, and injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system. Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) must earn a degree from medical school, complete clinical training, and obtain a state license before opening or joining a practice.

Chiropractors can treat both acute and chronic pain using a combination of advanced modalities designed to help patients heal without surgery or prescription drugs. Patients of all ages with diverse medical issues can benefit from chiropractic care. Many people visit a chiropractor to relieve back pain and neck problems, but spinal adjustments also help with migrainesvertigocarpal tunnel syndromefibromyalgia, and much more.

What Happens During a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Chiropractors perform chiropractic adjustments to correct spinal misalignment, also known as subluxation. Many people assume this involves forceful movements and painful cracking of your back and neck joints.

However, adjusting the spine is like gently tapping a bent nail with a hammer. Smashing the nail into the wood only bends it further, possibly making it impossible to straighten. That’s why chiropractors are more likely to correct problem areas by gentle tapping and nudging rather than using brute force.

To help them make the correct adjustments, chiropractors go through a mental checklist when assessing each patient:

  • In what direction has a vertebra become misaligned? Backbones can pivot, twist, and bend in all three dimensions, so this is a critical question to answer.
  • What is the minimal amount of force needed to realign the spine?
  • Is it better to adjust the patient while having them lie on their stomach or their side?
  • Are any factors present that could prevent a successful adjustment?
  • Is the client relaxed enough to facilitate an adjustment?

Common Reactions to Chiropractic Adjustments

Most reactions to spinal manipulations are completely harmless. They typically arise shortly after treatment and dissipate within 24 to 48 hours. Consider how the body may react to a chiropractic adjustment and how to relieve your symptoms.

Mild Aching or Soreness

This is the most common side effect of a chiropractic adjustment, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all reactions. Aching joints or sore muscles, especially in the treatment area, may occur within the first few hours post-treatment and should last no longer than 24 hours. Apply an ice pack to the sore area to help the pain dissipate more quickly.

Headaches and Neck Pain

Cervical spine (neck) manipulations are considered safe procedures. The goal is to improve joint mobility, restore normal range of motion, reduce muscle spasms, and relieve tension or pressure in the neck. Still, temporary headaches and neck pain account for 10% of reactions in people who receive cervical spine adjustments. Ice and rest are the best tips for recovering from these side effects.

Fatigue

While some patients feel energized after their appointment, the opposite can also occur. Fatigue, or a lingering sense of tiredness, accounts for 10% of chiropractic adjustment reactions. Fortunately, this side effect is short-lived. If possible, avoid strenuous activity until your normal energy levels return.

Nausea or Dizziness

These reactions are uncommon, with patients reporting them less than 5% of the time. Rest, drink plenty of water, and stick with light, mild food until these side effects subside.

Why Do Chiropractic Adjustments Cause Side Effects?

If people visit the chiropractor to feel better, why do some patients leave the office feeling worse? While negative reactions don’t always occur, here are some explanations for why they sometimes happen.

Detoxification

Chiropractic adjustments relieve tension and increase blood flow. This, in turn, triggers the body to release toxins and poisons from the system. Detoxification can cause noticeable external reactions, including headaches, fatigue, sniffles, and even a slight fever. Once the toxins are fully released, you should feel rejuvenated, but this might take a day or two.

Spinal Realignment

If you visited the chiropractor to treat subluxation, realigning your spine may activate muscles you haven’t used in years. Now that these weakened muscles are working again, they may feel sore, similar to what happens after starting a new exercise routine. The muscles in the treated area may even cramp up like a charley horse. Rest assured that these reactions are temporary and will disappear once your muscles get stronger.

Compressed Nerves Waking Up

Old injuries or compressed areas may reawaken during a chiropractic adjustment. While this is necessary for complete healing to begin, it may cause old feelings associated with the injury to resurface. Continue visiting your chiropractor to work toward total recovery and wellness.

What About Serious Adverse Reactions?

Perhaps you have heard claims suggesting that severe complications can arise from chiropractic adjustments. While some stories are accurate, many articles have limited evidence and are only published for the shock factor.

One of the most serious alleged complications of an improper cervical spine adjustment is vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) stroke. However, after studying the claims, researchers concluded that the perceived correlation had to do with patients seeking chiropractic treatment for VBA symptoms, including headaches and neck pain, before the stroke took place. But it is unlikely that the spinal adjustment caused the stroke in these patients. Even if there is a connection, the best estimates suggest the incidence rate is about one case in every 5.85 million cervical manipulations.

Critics also claim that cervical spine adjustments can cause brain stem injuries and hemorrhaging. While this is not impossible, documented incidents are extremely rare. As one report put it, “there is probably less than one death of this nature out of several tens-of-millions of manipulations.”

Of course, if chiropractors are reckless, inexperienced, or improperly trained, their services could cause adverse effects. But the same can be said of any medical provider. The fact is chiropractic care is a science and an art rolled into one. That’s why such extensive education and training are required to become a chiropractor. For your health and safety, only seek services from a licensed professional with the proper qualifications to deliver chiropractic care.

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?

In the hands of an experienced chiropractor, spinal manipulation usually garners beneficial results and very few side effects. When you visit a chiropractor, share your specific symptoms and any concerns you have regarding the treatment you’re about to receive. This will help your doctor offer the safest, most effective treatment possible.

If you’re still nervous about spinal manipulation, you can always seek out other treatment regimens for the results you want without receiving a chiropractic adjustment. Here are some of your options:

  • Physical therapy involves therapeutic stretches and exercises, ice and heat therapy, massage, and more.
  • Spinal decompression gently stretches and elongates the spine using FDA-approved, non-surgical equipment.
  • Active Release Technique is a soft tissue massage method for both treating and preventing injury in athletes and other physically active people.
  • Hydromassage involves lying on a waterbed, where digitally controlled water jets move across your body to relieve joint and muscle pain.
  • Massage therapy eases muscle tension and increases blood flow by manipulating the muscles in your back, neck, and elsewhere in your body.
  • Acupuncture uses tiny, sterile needles to stimulate nerves, trigger an endorphin release, and reduce pain.
  • Dry needling is similar to acupuncture, but it specifically targets tense muscles in the shoulders and back.
  • Trigger point injections introduce non-toxic anti-inflammatory drugs into muscle knots to help relieve pain.
  • Cold laser therapy employs low-level infrared and near-infrared light to promote accelerated healing.
  • Whole-body vibration delivers vertical, oscillating, and elliptical vibrations to reduce back pain, improve strength, and slow degenerative bone loss.
  • Ultrasonic wave technology sends sound waves into the body to promote regenerative healing processes.
  • Kinesiotaping involves applying supportive tape to muscles and joints to promote quicker natural healing while still allowing a full range of motion.

6 Long-term Benefits of Chiropractic Care

6 Long-term Benefits of Chiropractic CareIf you’re like most people, the first thing that comes to mind when you think of chiropractic care is the treatment of pain and injury. While chiropractic treatment is highly effective for short-term relief, chiropractic care can also be beneficial in the long term. Chiropractors are experts in spinal health and wellness, and they can help you achieve a greater level of overall health and well-being. In this blog post, we will discuss the many long-term benefits of regular chiropractic care.

 

Understanding Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is a safe, natural, and drug-free approach to health and wellness. Chiropractors use gentle adjustments to improve spinal alignment and reduce pressure on the nervous system. When the nervous system is functioning properly, the body is able to heal itself more effectively. This has several benefits. In the short-term, chiropractic care can reduce or eliminate pain and help you heal from injuries. In the long-term, regular chiropractic care can help prevent harmful injuries, reduce stress and depression, improve mobility and balance, enhance flexibility, boost immunity to disease, and increase bodily awareness.

The Benefits of Long-Term Chiropractic Care

Now that we have a better understanding of what chiropractic care is and how it works, let’s take a closer look at the many benefits of long-term chiropractic care.

Injury prevention. One of the most important benefits of regular chiropractic care is injury prevention. Chiropractic adjustments help reduce pain and tension and improve overall balance and mobility. A body that moves better is one that is less prone to falls and other injuries, especially as we age.

Improved mental health. You may be surprised to learn that regular chiropractic care can help reduce stress and depression. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. Chiropractic adjustments help reduce stress on the spinal column, leading to improved nervous system functioning. When the nervous system is functioning properly, it can better regulate the body’s response to stress. Additionally, the reduction or elimination of pain, particularly chronic pain, through regular chiropractic care can enhance overall well-being and contribute to a more positive daily outlook.

Enhanced mobility and balance. Chiropractic adjustments specifically target what are called spinal subluxations. Subluxations are misalignments of the spine that can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Regular chiropractic care helps relieve subluxations, improve spinal alignment, and restore range of motion in the joints. This leads to improved mobility and balance, both in the short-term and long-term.

Greater immunity to disease. When the nervous system is functioning properly, the body’s immune system is better able to fight off infection and disease. By reducing stress on the nervous system with regular spinal adjustments, you can help improve your overall immunity to disease. Additionally, because chiropractic adjustments improve blood flow throughout the body, they also help promote tissue repair and healing.

Increased bodily awareness. Adding chiropractic to your health care routine can contribute to a greater awareness of changes to your physical well-being. By working with a chiropractor to reduce chronic pain and improve overall bodily functioning, you should be better able to sense when something isn’t quite right. For example, if you develop a subluxation or misalignment in your spine, you may notice it sooner than you would if you struggled with daily pain and stiffness. A chiropractor can also help support you in improving your nutrition, sleep habits, physical activity, and other building blocks of a healthy lifestyle.

Greater flexibility.  A flexible body is another great benefit of long-term chiropractic care. When your spine is aligned correctly, your muscles and joints are able to move more freely. This increased range of motion can lead to improved flexibility.

Are Chiropractors Worth It?

Are Chiropractors Worth It?

The type of medical care you choose is usually determined by two factors: efficacy and cost. Healthcare is a hot button topic right now, but most can agree that the price of maintaining one’s health is only rising.

This upward trend has many people reevaluating how they approach health care for themselves and their loved ones. People are also looking into other forms of care that aren’t as visible in the traditional medical model – like chiropractic care, massage therapy and acupuncture.

For this article we’ll focus on just one of these modalities and ask the question, “Are Chiropractors Worth It?”

what do chiropractors do

Chiropractic care focuses on the spine but the results are full-body. A good chunk of people are opting to try it before committing to other expensive procedures. Since chiropractors specialize in preventive care, their patients feel the effects in the long-run.

What Do Chiropractors Do?

The nervous system controls every facet of our bodies. The healthier it is, the better we can function.

Chiropractic adjustments (performed manually or by a machine), decrease any nerve interference originating from the spine. By aligning the spine and surrounding areas for optimal function, chiropractors help the body operate the way it should.

And, if it all sounds painful or causes you to squirm, don’t worry – chiropractic is not like Youtube and popular media portrays it. Immediate relief is often reported by patients. Even the popping sounds are enjoyable to some and they aren’t actually ‘cracking’ noises. The sounds are just gas being released from the joints as tension is relieved.

Why See a Chiropractor?

There are plenty of benefits to going to the chiropractor. The improvement in your quality of life is really a stand-out factor. It makes for a happier day-to-day, in a way surgery or other expensive medical treatments may not. However, in chiropractic care, they are an excellent side effect.

Here are some common benefits patients tell us they’re having:

Better Sleep

Few know that chiropractors can offer sleep solutions, but your spinal health and rest are definitely connected. In fact, about 1/3 of patients note an immediate improvement in their sleep after undergoing a chiropractic adjustment.

If you’re not getting quality sleep, consider why. Are you physically uncomfortable? Do you find it difficult to get into a good sleeping position? Do you wake up or fall asleep in pain – specifically in the neck or back?

A chiropractor can mitigate these symptoms by inducing better blood flow and relaxation. They can also consult on habits that you can adopt to get more sleep at home. They can even suggest mattress types, pillows, and sleeping positions.

If you’re unable to get any shut-eye due to discomfort, it’s time to consider making an appointment.

More Energy

Many on-going chiropractic patients report having more energy. While this isn’t the primary reason to go to the chiropractor, it’s a welcome byproduct.

Since the spine is part of the central nervous system, its health is vital to keep your body running. If your spine isn’t working at 100%, neither will the rest of you. This is one of the reasons why people feel fatigued. When you improve the strength of your spine, that excess energy is yours again.

Reduce Stress

Stress is terrible on the body.

It increases the heart rate, raises blood pressure and causes muscle tension that puts pressure on the spine. And, as we’ve already established, a weakened spine creates a weakened body.

One thing to remember about stress is that your body doesn’t forget. Even when you are relaxed, your body is still recovering from its previous stress. If you experience persistent pressure or strain, your immune system may find itself overworking and underperforming.

Chiropractors are trained to heal the body from this type of stress.

They may not specialize in helping you with your mind – there are mental health professionals for that – but they can lead your body to recovery. The work that they do is carried throughout the body, giving their patients relief.

Through chiropractic adjustments, they can relax the muscles and improve blood flow. Then the body can take it easy after that fight or flight reaction.

Regular visits to the chiropractor will not only ensure that your spine can help your body cope. It will also give you one-on-one time with your chiropractor. They can recommend to you options to improve a stressful lifestyle.

It’s not possible to take away all of your stress, but they can help ensure that you don’t feel the physical effects too harshly. Especially in the long-term.

Considering the Cost, Are Chiropractors Worth It??

Here are the tough questions to ask yourself:

  • Can I commit to regular treatments?
  • Will my insurance company cover it? Am I willing to pay out of pocket if not?
  • Will it even work for my needs?

These are all valid concerns in any aspect of medicine.

One thing to remember about chiropractic care is that, even though many people seek care for spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, sciatica and many other major conditions, it’s often meant to be preventative. And, a good chiropractor should be able to help you avoid major health conditions ever happening in the first place.

It can help you get out of pain. It can help you fight illnesses and increase your body’s mobility and durability. It may improve your sleep and reduce stress which can result in mental clarity and focus. As you get older, these things matter. They contribute greatly to your well being and quality of life.

Some results from going to the chiropractor are immediate while some will become apparent over the long-term. That’s why, when you commit to going, you’re really committing to improving your future self.

The amount that you pay will depend on where you go and what your insurance covers. Check to see how your insurance handles chiropractors. If they won’t cover your appointments, that’s ok. Some clinics, like Evolve Chiropractic, are committed to making care affordable for all patients, regardless of access to insurance.

And anyway, no matter what it costs, it almost certainly will be more affordable than surgery. While you may spend $40-100 per chiropractic session, surgery can cost tens of thousands of dollars (and still not yield the results you want).

Making Your Decision

Studies upon studies show the benefits of going to a chiropractor. You could see a vast improvement in your comfort level, energy level, and general health. What you spend on monthly – or even weekly – sessions can go far to keep you feeling your best for years to come.

By taking care of your body now, you will likely find yourself saving money on hospital visits, medication and surgery.

So are chiropractors worth it? Given the rates and all the benefits we’ve explored above, they definitely deserve a try.

6 QUESTIONS EVERYONE SHOULD ASK THEIR CHIROPRACTOR

If you’ve never seen a chiropractor before, you probably have a lot of questions.

There are many misconceptions about chiropractic care, so it’s important to have a firm understanding of what chiropractic care actually is before you start your treatment.

The best way to get that understanding is to ask your chiropractor. No one will know more about chiropractic care than they will, and they would be glad to answer any and all questions.

Communication will be critical during your first appointment with them.

Not only will you have questions for them, but they’ll have questions for you.

Your chiropractor will need information about your symptoms and what’s troubling you so they can be sure to deliver the desired results.

By asking the right questions, you and your chiropractor will be able to work well together to achieve the same goals.

If you’re ready to visit your chiropractor for the first time, here are six questions you should ask your chiropractor during your appointment.

1. Will I Be Treated During My First Visit?

It’s not uncommon for some practices to wait until the second visit to treat a new patient.

This often isn’t because of any medical issues, but it allows the doctor to see more patients in a single day.

There are some circumstances when a patient should not be treated with joint manipulation/adjustments right away, and these are things like a recent accident or cardiovascular issues.

However, even when you’ve been in a recent accident or have cardiovascular issues, your chiropractor can still treat you right away, even if it means not using any manipulations or adjustments.

Your chiropractor will perform a detailed examination to identify the cause of your pain and determine a treatment plan that would be best for you.

If your pain can be fixed with an adjustment or manipulation, the doctor will proceed with treatment on the first visit to get you better as soon as possible.

Many patients leave their first appointment feeling immediate relief from their symptoms.

 

2. How Long Will My Treatments Last?

The first thing many people ask is how long their treatment will take to fix their back pain.

Chiropractic care is a hands-on process, so patients are encouraged to come in for multiple sessions, sometimes on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Your chiropractor will perform an exam and they may take x rays and go over your medical history to help them decide how many treatments you will need to fix your pain.

Not all injuries will show up on x rays, so it’s okay if your chiropractor doesn’t take x rays during your first visit.

Your chiropractor will also suggest things you can do at home to help supplement the treatments you receive at the office.

At-home treatments, lifestyle changes, exercises, and nutrition information will all help you progress in your treatments, and will help you make sure your symptoms don’t return.

 

3. Do You Teach Prevention?

From a business standpoint, your chiropractor wants you to have to come in for as many treatments as possible.

From a moral and professional standpoint, your chiropractor should teach you how to keep your symptoms from flaring up so you don’t have to keep returning to his office.

That’s why it’s important to make sure you ask your chiropractor about prevention.

It’s often surprising how easy it is to prevent your pain from returning even without the use of drugs or surgery.

The suggestions your chiropractor gives you will prolong the benefits of the care you’ve received and helps you prevent re-injuring yourself in the future.

Your chiropractor should give you amazing treatments and service while you’re in the office, but she should also teach you how to prevent pain and re-injury from occurring.

 

4. How Long Will This Appointment Be?

You want to be sure your chiropractor takes enough time to diagnose and treat your condition properly.

That’s why it’s important to find out how long your appointments will be.

A 10-15 minute appointment, especially if it’s your first, probably isn’t going to accomplish much.

You’ll want to take your time to develop a healthy doctor-patient relationship.

If your appointments don’t last long enough, there’s no way to develop that relationship.

Before you even get started with your treatment, it takes longer than a few minutes to connect with a person, listen to them, and address their questions and concerns.

Once all of that is out of the way you can start with the medical portion of the appointment.

You may be asking how do chiropractors know if your spine is out of alignment?

Some chiropractors will use certain machines on you to aid with your treatment. This is fine, as long as it’s supplementing your treatment, and it’s not your entire appointment.

An initial chiropractic appointment may last between 40-60 minutes if it’s done right.

Follow up appointments should last at least 15-20 minutes, and most, if not all, of that time, will be spent face-to-face with the chiropractor.

 

5. What Exactly Is An Adjustment?

Your chiropractic treatment will be made up of manual procedures where your chiropractor will use their hands to manipulate your joints, spinal cord, and soft tissues of your body.

This will restore or enhance the healthy functioning of your joints and spine.

Chiropractors can also reduce inflammation and physical pain throughout your body, not just in your back.

A chiropractic adjustment is a careful, highly controlled procedure with little to no side effects, that will allow your body to operate at an optimum level.

 

6. Do You Offer Free Consultations?

Most chiropractic offices will offer a free consultation to first-time patients, and it is important to do so.

It’s unrealistic for a chiropractor to expect a patient to choose them over all their other options without a chance to visit their office and see if the staff and doctors are a good fit for them.

Along with getting to know the staff and the doctors, you need your free consultation to give you a chance to speak with the patients that are coming in and out so you can see how they feel about the practice.

8 Things That Can Be Treated by a Chiropractor

back pain

  • Conditions Chiropractors Typically Treat
    Chiropractors treat conditions related to your body’s structure. Their goal is to relieve pain and improve function. They don’t prescribe drugs or do surgery. Rather, they adjust or manipulate your spine and other body parts to get them in the right position, or proper alignment. Chiropractic care is based on the idea that when your body is in proper alignment, you have a better chance of healing yourself. Get an overview of some of the more common ailments—not all of which are related to the spine.
  • Woman with lower back pain
    1. Low Back Pain
    Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek treatment from a chiropractor. Research on spinal manipulation often focuses on low back pain. Some people with low back pain benefit from going to a chiropractor, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Some research suggested people with low back pain got better relief from going to a chiropractor than from going to their family doctor.
  • woman touching upper back
    2. Neck Pain
    Chiropractors often treat neck pain with neck manipulations. These are also called adjustments. In some cases, these neck adjustments—along with exercises—may work better for neck pain than pain medications. You may want to try a chiropractor if you have had neck pain for a long time that is not due to an injury. This type of neck pain may respond to chiropractic care.
  • Woman with headache
    3. Tension Headaches
    Chiropractic adjustment for your neck may help if you have tension headaches. These are a common type of headache that causes pain in the back of your head and neck. Stress and bad posture can cause tension headaches. A chiropractor might adjust your neck and give you some stretching exercises. The chiropractor might also suggest healthy ways to reduce stress and relieve your headaches, including proper posture and body mechanics.
  • woman with headache
    4. Migraine Headaches
    Research has shown that chiropractic spinal manipulations can decrease migraine frequency, decrease pain, and reduce the need for migraine medication. How this occurs is not known. The authors of the study suggest that chiropractic care reduces overall stress, which may, in turn reduce the effect of migraines. Triggers for migraine headaches may include certain foods. Your chiropractor can also give you advice on nutrition and some changes in your diet to help treat migraines and other types of headaches.
  • Neck pain
    5. Whiplash
    Whiplash is a type of neck sprain that often results from a car accident. Whiplash causes pain and stiffness in your neck. Pain may be worse when you try to turn your head. You may even feel dizzy or sick to your stomach. Chiropractic adjustment may help. A chiropractor may have you do exercising and stretching at home, too, and show you how to use heat or ice to reduce muscle spasms and swelling.
  • Severe hip pain
    6. Sacroiliac Pain
    Your sacroiliac (SI) joint is a big joint at the bottom of your spine. SI joint problems cause a different type of low back pain. You may feel this pain in your buttock or the back of your thigh. Chiropractors treat this type of pain with chiropractic adjustment. The chiropractor might also teach you how to avoid straining your SI joint. And, he or she might give you some exercises to strengthen your core muscles, which are the muscles that support this joint.
  • Painful shoulder
    7. Shoulder Pain
    You probably think about back and neck pain when you think about chiropractic care. However, a chiropractor might also be able to help you if you have a stiff and painful shoulder. This condition is called frozen shoulder syndrome. People with frozen shoulder may have less pain and more movement after chiropractic care. Your chiropractor will stretch the muscles surrounding your shoulder and show you how to perform more stretches at home.
  • holding knee
    8. Knee Pain
    Most often, wear and tear on the knee joint causes knee osteoarthritis. This is a very common condition. Chiropractic care might help. Chiropractors sometimes do back adjustments along with knee adjustments. This type of treatment may work better than knee exercises alone. Some people treated with chiropractic adjustment have less pain and better movement after a few weeks of treatment.