Exploring Chiropractic Medicine
Education
In this guide, we'll explore the different techniques and benefits you can expect when booking a chiropractor appointment. We'll also debunk some common misconceptions about chiropractic medicine to set the record straight about this important wellness topic.
Exploring Chiropractic Medicine
Education
In this guide, we'll explore the different techniques and benefits you can expect when booking a chiropractor appointment. We'll also debunk some common misconceptions about chiropractic medicine to set the record straight about this important wellness topic.
It's estimated that the job outlook for chiropractors is expected to increase by 9% over the next decade. When you consider the spike in popularity of this form of alternative medicine in recent years, this shouldn't come as a surprise.
Chiropractic medicine is used to treat disorders related to the musculoskeletal system. It does this through manual therapy and spinal manipulation, which helps stimulate the body's natural healing abilities.
Overview of Chiropractic Techniques
There are many different chiropractic techniques. However, the one that's by far the most used is the diversified technique. This type of technique involves placing manual pressure on various vertebral segments.
Quick thrusts are used to restore alignment, ensure proper movement, and repair any dysfunction found in the joints. If you were to walk into a chiropractor today and ask for a session, this is the technique they would probably use on you.
That being said, some other techniques are practiced for more specific problems and disorders. These include things like:
- Spinal Manipulation (or Spinal Mobilization)
- Thompson Drop-Table Technique
- The Gonstead Adjustment
- The Activator Method
- Flexion Distraction
- Spinal Decompression
Some of these techniques require specialized tables or equipment. As such, if you're interested in a specific one, you should make sure that your provider is equipped to offer it.
If you aren't sure which technique is best for you, meet with a chiropractic professional. Describe the conditions and issues you're currently facing. They'll be able to recommend which techniques best fit your needs.
Benefits of Scheduling a Chiropractor Appointment
When most people think of the benefits of chiropractic services, they tend to think of back pain relief. This is indeed a big reason why many people go.
However, it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits that chiropractic medicine can provide you. In this section, we'll go over all the benefits that can come when you schedule an appointment.
A Variety of Pain Relief
We mentioned that chiropractic medicine can provide back pain relief. However, in addition to this, it's also great at targeting a variety of different pains, both chronic and acute.
This can include things like joint pain, migraines, and neck pain. It does this by targeting the root cause of all pain: the nerves. Best of all, this pain relief doesn't require addictive medication or invasive surgeries.
Better Mobility and Function
As people get older, they begin to gradually lose mobility and function. Certain types of conditions can hasten the onset of these losses.
Through manual manipulation and spinal adjustments, chiropractors can restore some mobility. This can lead to both improved flexibility and better overall physical performance.
Improved Nervous System Function
It's important to remember that the spinal cord is directly connected to the brain and nervous system.
As such, misalignments in the spine can interfere with nerve impulses between the brain and your body. By correcting these misalignments, known as subluxations, chiropractors can improve your overall nervous system health and function.
A More Holistic Approach to Health
The systems of your body aren't isolated. If something is wrong with your back, it can affect other parts of your body.
Things like your nervous system, mental health, and immune system can all be affected. Chiropractic medicine acknowledges how all of these systems are connected through holistic medicine. So, by treating one problem, you can improve other systems of health.
Conditions Treated with Chiropractic Medicine
There are multiple conditions that chiropractic medicine can help with. It's one of the best ways to treat lasting effects from muscle and joint injuries. It can also help with things like:
- Frequent, painful headaches
- Sciatica
- Stiff muscles and frequent muscle aches
- Arthritis
- Neck pain
- Whiplash
- Joint dysfunction
- Lower back pain
Remember that chiropractic ensures that both your joints and muscles are moving and interacting properly. As such, any condition that involves these two areas will likely benefit from treatment.
Also, many people use chiropractic medicine as a form of preventive maintenance to slow the onset of muscle and joint problems. So even if you don't have one of the conditions listed, you can still benefit from the treatment.
Common Misconceptions About Chiropractic Medicine
Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about chiropractic care both inside the medical community and outside of it. The first big one is that chiropractic medicine is not backed by science.
This simply isn't true. Many studies support chiropractic treatment as beneficial both for managing conditions and improving health levels in general.
For example, this study found that chiropractic medicine was useful for controlling pain in a variety of spinal conditions. The second misconception is that chiropractic care is only used for back problems.
Many people come to these professionals to deal with spine problems. However, chiropractic care covers a wide range of conditions. People might use it for things like arthritis, injuries, migraines, and headaches.
Anything related to joints and muscles can likely benefit from this care. Lastly, many people think that chiropractic professionals aren't trained. To become a chiropractor, you need to undergo vigorous training.
In addition to a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, these professionals also need to complete a lot of coursework, in-person training, and exams for licensing.
Indeed, chiropractors aren't doctors. But they are highly-trained professionals who know what they're doing.
Want More Educational Resources? Contact SupplementRelief.com
We hope this guide helped you learn more about the benefits that come when you book a chiropractor appointment. As you can see, chiropractic medicine is a great option for people experiencing back problems and pain.
However, even if you don't have pain, the practice can help maintain the health of your spinal cord. It's great for improving balance, range of motion, and posture.
Jay Todtenbier is one of the founders of SupplementRelief.com in 2010 and has operated the business ever since. He is also a tennis instructor and gospel musician. Formerly, he spent 25 years in business development, technology, and marketing with startups and major corporations, having gone through the tech boom in Silicon Valley in the 90s. He became passionate about and began studying and practicing Wellness as a Lifestyle after experiencing chronic, personal health challenges, including depression, auto-immune disorders, and being overweight, which impacted his ability to live a healthy, vibrant life. Since then, he has advocated for healthier living, encouraging others to live better by making small, gradual changes to lifestyle behaviors relating to whole-food nutrition, stress management, reasonable exercise, proper sleep, and targeted high-quality supplements.
Learn more about Jay Todtenbier.