Health Blog

What Conditions Can a Chiropractor Treat?

Tips May 25, 2020

These days, many spend most of their time working at their desks for 8 to 9 hours. For others, work can be even more physically demanding. Doing the same routine in one position for extended periods of time can take a toll on your body. Without proper diet and regular exercise, this burden can manifest through physical pain and other health concerns.

Pain is the body’s cry for help. It is a signal that some sort of treatment is required. Based on the nature of the pain, medical practitioners will prescribe different approaches to relieve discomfort.

In recent years, chiropractic care has gained popularity. You may have known and seen what chiropractic treatments are because of the numerous videos available online.

Here’s what a chiropractor can do for you:

What do Chiropractors Do?

What Conditions Can a Chiropractor Treat?

Chiropractic is a non-invasive technique of hands-on joint and spine manipulation. It is based on the belief that the body can heal without surgery or medication, provided that it is given the proper adjustments.

A chiropractor is responsible for diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system. They seek to reduce pain and restore the mobility of their patients’ joints restricted by injury as a result of an accident or stress.

It is considered an alternative treatment to alleviate pain and irritation on the muscle, joint, bone, or connective tissues. Likewise, it is used to complement conventional medical treatments most of the time.

Since chiropractor’s primary focus is on the intimate relationship between the nervous system and the spine, they believed that:

  • First, any biomechanical and structural misalignment of the spine has a direct effect on the nervous system, and
  • By correcting the spine, the pressure is released from the neurological tissues; hence, improving an individual’s health.

What Do Chiropractors Treat?

There are several studies of chiropractic treatment available to prove the utility of such a procedure. The list of conditions that could potentially be relieved or cured, at best, by chiropractors is still growing.

Based on popular media content, you perhaps have an idea that it can treat backaches, stiff necks, and slip discs. However, there are a lot more that you might be missing out on. In fact, you may not be fully aware of the extent of what chiropractic care can do.

Here are some common conditions you can seek chiropractic treatments for:

  • Chronic Pain

What Conditions Can a Chiropractor Treat?

Chronic pain can make a patient’s life unbearable. A whiplash injury or herniated disc can cause persistent back and neck pain, and headache. Traditional pain management prescribes drugs to reduce the pain. However, as the medication wanes, the pain will return and may come back worse.

Chiropractors emphasize the spine as the foundation of the body, and pain is a result of internal derangement. For example, a whiplash injury affects the cervical spine’s alignment, putting pressure on surrounding nerves and muscles. As a result, patients may feel neck pain and headaches months after the accident. The same occurs in the case of herniated discs. When the disc between vertebrae slips, the surrounding nerves can get irritated, causing extreme pain.

The key to relieving the pain is by taking the pressure from the nerves. The chiropractor can achieve this after a few adjustments. They can also advise on your diet and exercise as part of the treatment plan.

  • Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes chronic pain and sensitivity in the musculoskeletal system. In addition to pain, the disorder can also cause patients to experience fatigue, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, psychological distress, and other autoimmune illnesses. It affects about 10% of the adult population in western countries and is prominent in people aged 60 years old and above.

The causes of fibromyalgia are still unknown; however, there are studies of possible treatments, including chiropractic. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showed that, after a month of treatment, respondents with Fibromyalgia have reported reduced pain, fatigue, and improved sleep quality. Such outcomes were maintained even after a month without therapy.

  • Subluxation

 Subluxation is the misalignment of the spine, which affects the neural communication of the brain and the body. It can be caused by physical trauma, like impact sports or bad sleeping position, or toxins from a poor diet. Stress can also cause subluxation as it tightens muscles around the neck and back.

The nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system share messenger molecules, which allows them to coordinate. However, a dysfunction, compression, or irritation in the nerve pathways due to spine misalignment can impede communication among the nerves and alter the body’s immune response.

Chiropractic treatment is the only way to treat subluxation. Adjustments can reduce the stress in the system and boost your immune system.

  • Migraine and Tension Headaches

What Conditions Can a Chiropractor Treat?

Migraines can last for hours and, even, days, which can significantly disrupt a person’s life and activities. The most common symptom associated with migraine is a severe headache. Still, other signs may include vomiting, nausea, visual impairment, and fatigue.

Furthermore, most headaches are also related to tension in the neck area, especially for people who spend long periods in a sedentary position.

Taking painkillers is the most common option. However, there is a better option. Research shows the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment in tension headaches. Chiropractors can perform spine adjustments to improve body functions. They can also offer advice about proper posture, exercise, and relaxation.

  • Anxiety and Stress

Stress has become one of the primary reasons for many illnesses. Stress from the environment, noise, weather, pollution, has been detrimental to our health. Likewise, the increasing demand from their jobs puts pressure on employees’ physical well-being. The natural response of the body to stress makes modern citizens susceptible to hypertension, muscle damage, diabetes, and the overall weakening of the immune system.

Chiropractic treatments have been effective in releasing tensions from your muscles, as well as the uneven pressures on the body due to spine misalignment. The procedure is also beneficial in boosting the nervous and immune system.

  • Flexibility

What Conditions Can a Chiropractor Treat?

As you age, your body’s range of motion may become limited. Wear and tear, injury, or degenerative conditions do not only impede flexibility but may also cause pain, inflammation, and stiffness. The less you are able to use your bones and muscles, the faster they degenerate until such time that even a simple action like bending can be painful.

With the realignment of bones and joints, chiropractic can restore mobility and improve flexibility and coordination. The chiropractor can also recommend proper exercises to keep your strength and flexibility. Because the procedure can also eliminate back and neck pains, you will be able to resume your normal activities in no time.

When Should You See a Chiropractor?

Many people immediately seek chiropractic care for pain relief. However, it has to be reiterated that chiropractic is not similar to a massage and should not be treated as a go-to treatment for back pain. Several factors need to be considered before seeking this procedure. How long a chiropractor treatment is would depend on the condition and your medical history. You must choose the right chiropractor.

Here at Brampton Physiocare & Wellness Clinic, we take pride in our friendly and highly experienced staff. We offer our clients only excellent services to make sure that treatment and recovery are successful.

For more information about our chiropractic care service, visit our Brampton Orthoneuro clinic. We have extended opening hours to cater to more clients. You can also call us at (905) 454-4975 or book an appointment online.