Why do so many people rely on chiropractic care? Relief from discomfort? While it’s true that chiropractors can provide substantial pain relief for a variety of musculoskeletal complaints, that’s not the only reason people seek chiropractic care.
In this blog, the team at Bomberg Chiropractic shares 10 of the most common reasons people rely on chiropractic treatments to improve their overall health and well-being.
1. Back Pain: Relief and Ongoing Prevention
When most people think of a chiropractor, they immediately think of back pain — that makes perfect sense, since back pain is perhaps the most prevalent reason people visit chiropractors. So how does a chiropractor help alleviate back pain?
Chiropractic adjustments are designed to gently bring the spine back into its properly aligned state. When the spinal structure suffers from misalignments (also referred to as subluxations), the nerves that branch away from the spinal cord can become compromised. Excessive pressure on one or more nerves can result in localized back pain, as well as radiating pain that can extend to other parts of the body.
When a chiropractor performs a spinal adjustment, he gently coaxes the joints of the spine into their proper positions, which alleviates pressure on surrounding nerves. This improves the function of both the nerves and soft tissues surrounding the spine, thereby alleviating discomfort.
Because excess pressure on spinal discs can also generate significant discomfort, spinal decompression is another common treatment modality used to relieve pain and restore function.
2. Neck Pain: Relief and Ongoing Prevention
Another highly common reason people seek chiropractic care is for neck pain, both acute and chronic. Just as misalignments in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine can trigger back pain, subluxations in the cervical spine can trigger neck pain.
The same treatment philosophy applies to chiropractic adjustments for the neck. By realigning the spine and relieving pressure on surrounding nerves and soft tissues, chiropractic treatments allow the neck to function according to its design. Discomfort relief can sometimes occur in as little as one to two treatments, but ongoing chiropractic care is typically required for continued prevention.
3. Headaches and Migraines: Relief and Ongoing Prevention
Though headaches are incredibly common and most people tend to deem them as “normal,” the reality is: they’re not. Both headaches and migraines can stem from a variety of causes; however, they typically signify some type of excess stress on the central nervous system. Chiropractic care can help alleviate several types of mild to severe headaches, including:
● Tension headaches
● Migraine headaches
● Cluster headaches
● Cervicogenic headaches (referred head pain that stems from a source in the neck)
Through gentle, manual adjustments and sometimes, trigger point therapy for the muscles in the neck (depending on the type of headache), a chiropractor helps restore function in the cervical spine, which helps alleviate many forms of head pain.
Please keep in mind that if you suffer from persistent headaches, it’s always a good idea to consult with your primary care provider. Your physician can help you determine whether another type of medical condition may be causing your headaches.
4. Pain, Tingling, or Numbness in One or More Extremities
Earlier, we discussed how a misaligned spine can put excessive pressure on the nerves that branch off the spinal cord and travel throughout the body. When those peripheral nerves become compromised, they can cause pain, tingling, and/or numbness in one or more extremities. Herniated spinal discs can also cause considerable pain, along with tingling and numbness along the pathway(s) of the affected nerve(s).
Chiropractic care provides a conservative, natural treatment for conditions that involve pain, tingling, and loss of sensation, including sciatica and radiculopathy. By alleviating pressure on the spinal nerves through adjustments and restoring soft tissue function through other chiropractic techniques, patients frequently find they experience considerable relief.
5. Athletic Performance Improvement
Pain isn’t the only thing that causes people to seek chiropractic treatment. Athletes also visit chiropractors when they’re looking to enhance musculoskeletal system performance. In fact, many professional athletic teams have their own designated team chiropractors!
Because routine chiropractic care can improve mobility, flexibility, reaction times, and overall physical performance, athletes of all levels seek chiropractic care for both injuries and ongoing maintenance treatments.
6. Posture Improvement
Improper curvature of the neck is becoming an increasing issue in our technology-addicted society, and fortunately, chiropractic treatment can help alleviate this often uncomfortable issue. The same idea applies to improper curvature in any other region of the spine.
Through gentle, manual adjustments and other complementary treatments such as movement-based massage, TENS therapy, and Graston Technique, chiropractic care can help restore healthy body positioning. By alleviating soft tissue tension and gently realigning the spinal structure, a chiropractor not only encourages better posture but also helps alleviate the discomfort associated with improper curvature of the spine.
7. Relief from Pregnancy Discomfort
Pregnancy is an incredible time in a woman’s life, but for many women, it also comes with its share of discomfort and mobility problems. As a fetus develops and grows, many women’s spines experience a gradual curving, which can result in discomfort and movement restrictions.
Pelvic shifting is another common issue, which decreases the amount of available womb space for the growing fetus. Pelvic misalignment can also prevent the baby from moving into a proper birthing position toward the end of the third trimester.
Using a highly specialized analysis and adjustment process referred to as Webster Technique, a chiropractor can help rebalance the pelvis and reduce excessive stress on the spine. In fact, clinical studies have confirmed Webster Technique’s ability to facilitate proper fetal positioning and encourage a more comfortable birthing experience for both mother and baby.
8. Sleep Quality Improvement
Who doesn’t want better sleep? A chiropractor can help make that happen! Many people find they have trouble sleeping due to either stress or discomfort, both of which chiropractic care can help alleviate. By improving the alignment of the spine and restoring musculoskeletal function, a chiropractor encourages optimal systemic functioning, thereby allowing the body to relax properly.
9. Post-Collision Evaluations and Injury Recovery
Vehicle accidents, even those that don’t involve a major collision, can result in neck and back injuries that may not be apparent immediately after the incident. Whiplash, one of the most common car accident-related injuries, can occur even during low-speed collisions, particularly those that involve rear-end impacts.
This type of injury involves considerable strain to the neck muscles and may compromise the cervical spine as well. Unfortunately, though, whiplash symptoms often do not become noticeable until several days or even weeks following a collision. And without a prompt assessment and treatment, the condition may grow worse over time.
That’s where chiropractic care comes in. Many people choose to see a chiropractor after being involved in a vehicular accident, both for an initial evaluation and first-line and ongoing treatment.
A chiropractic doctor can perform a full assessment, including imaging, of any areas of the body that may have sustained injuries during a car crash. From there, a chiropractor can create an individualized treatment plan — which may include adjustments, massage, and other therapies — based on the patient’s unique condition and needs.
People also see chiropractors to address pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility that become apparent either immediately or shortly after being involved in a vehicle collision.
For more information on how chiropractic care can help you after a vehicle collision, check out 5 Reasons To Go to the Chiropractor After a Car Accident.
10. Work-Related Injury Recovery
People who sustain injuries at work, especially those who suffer painful and limiting injuries to their back and/or neck, often see chiropractic doctors for ongoing treatment. Manual adjustments, movement-based massage, TENS therapy, and other non-invasive therapies can help stimulate healing, improve mobility, and reduce pain associated with many workplace injuries.
If you’ve sustained an injury at work and are looking for a non-invasive, conservative approach to treatment, you can use Worker’s Compensation insurance to cover chiropractic care.
Schedule Chiropractic Care With Bomberg Chiropractic in New Hope, MN
If you suffer from acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain or decreased physical performance, get in touch with our team at Bomberg Chiropractic to schedule a consultation. We specialize in a wide variety of chiropractic techniques designed to alleviate pain and improve physical function, and we’d love to welcome you into our care.
To learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, feel free to give our New Hope, MN office a call today at 763-450-1755 or connect with us online, and we’ll be in touch promptly.