Chiropractic care is one of those medical practices that divides opinion.
From the outside, chiropractic adjustments can certainly seem scary. You’re trusting someone to simply twist and contort your spine and joints and that’s supposed to ease your pain rather than increase it?
In reality, chiropractic adjustments are so much more than twisting and cracking your back. Chiropractors are trained doctors who use specific manual manipulation techniques to address your particular skeletal misalignment and provide you with lasting relief. They also treat a lot more than back pain.
Chiropractic care can help patients suffering from migraines or dealing with car accident injuries, and it can even help prevent sport injuries.
Still not sure if chiropractic is safe or not? Read on to learn more about the science behind chiropractic care and how it can help you.
What Is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a type of alternative medicine that focuses on musculoskeletal disorders and particularly your spine. Chiropractors use a hands-on approach to treat back pain, neck pain, headaches, and many other musculoskeletal issues.
Chiropractic restores proper alignment and function to the musculoskeletal system so your body can heal itself and function optimally. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation, mobilization, massage, and more to help restore your body to its proper alignment.
Like many doctors, chiropractors work in conjunction with other healthcare providers and may refer patients to other specialists if necessary. They also provide lifestyle and exercise advice to help patients maintain good musculoskeletal health and prevent future injuries.
Chiropractic care is non-invasive and drug-free, and like with any healthcare decision, it is important to discuss chiropractic care with your primary doctor before beginning new treatments.
Chiropractors go through years of medical education and training before they can begin practicing, so while they do not attend medical school, they are highly trained professionals with expertise in the field.
What Are the Benefits and Potential Risks to Chiropractic Care?
As stated, the goal of chiropractic treatment is to properly align your skeletal system to improve your movement ability so your full body can function properly.
The immediate goal of chiropractic care is to reduce pain. With your spine and joints in the proper alignment, there is less undue pressure on them, which also releases the tension in our muscles. You’ll have improved mobility, range of motion, and flexibility, which decreases the potential for future injury.
A major benefit to chiropractic care is that it is a drug-free and non-surgical treatment so you don’t have to worry about becoming reliant on medications.
As with any medical practice, there are always risks involved. However, risks associated with chiropractic care are minimal and are typically associated with high-risk patients.
All patients may feel some stiffness or soreness in the days immediately following a chiropractic adjustment, but this usually resolves itself quickly.
Chiropractors are very careful about treating patients with severe osteoporosis or advanced arthritis because the adjustments can actually do more harm than good.
Overall, chiropractic care has been proven to be very beneficial, and the adverse effects felt by some patients do not last long.
How to Ensure Chiropractic Treatment Is Safe
Like any medical treatment, you have to be sure you can trust your doctor. Before seeking chiropractic treatment—whether it’s following an accident or to deal with a chronic condition—you should speak with your primary doctor first so they can give you their educated opinion.
To ensure treatment is safe for you, your chiropractor will perform a full medical history (with X-rays) so they can diagnose your condition and design a personalized treatment plan.
If you suffer from a chronic condition that could be exacerbated by chiropractic treatments, a well-trained chiropractor will refer you to other medical practices.
If you’re interested in starting chiropractic treatment, it’s important to find a licensed chiropractor with strong reviews who will listen to your concerns and be honest with you about the benefits and risks associated with the treatment.
Get Relief Today from Lakes Chiropractic & Wellness
At Lakes Chiropractic & Wellness, we have years of training and experience in chiropractic treatment to help you find relief in a safe environment.
Our patients are our number one priority, and that’s why we take your full medical history before we begin any treatment. We listen to your concerns and are honest with you about what the best courses of treatment are for your particular concerns.
We’ve treated patients with varying conditions like sports injuries, whiplash, migraines, and more, and we also treat patients of all ages, from infants to patients in their 90s.
Whether you’re a first-time patient or you’ve had sporadic chiropractic treatment over the years, contact us today to schedule an appointment, and we’ll start you on the road to recovery.
