Healthcare expenses are skyrocketing and straining families. Many health problems are preventable with lifestyle education and chiropractic care.
Just like getting an oil change or maintenance on your home system, regular chiropractic adjustments are a preventive approach to wellness. Chiropractics role in preventative health is significant, even beyond musculoskeletal disorders.
Improved Nervous System Function
The nervous system controls all of the body’s functions, including the immune system. When the spine is misaligned, the nerves which run through the spinal cord can be affected, leading to a wide range of health problems. Chiropractors use non-invasive methods to improve spinal alignment and reduce nervous system interference, allowing the body to function optimally. This approach has been shown to reduce stress and strengthen the immune system, allowing the body to fight infection more effectively.
Chiropractors focus on the musculoskeletal system, which is composed of the bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that make up 60% of the body’s total mass. A skilled chiropractor can identify and treat any issues affecting the spine or nervous system, preventing pain and illness before they become serious.
Chiropractic is a drug-free, non-invasive therapy that can be used to treat many common health problems. It is most often used to relieve back and neck pain, but can also be effective for other health conditions such as fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches and digestive issues.
A typical chiropractic session consists of lying on a padded table while the chiropractor performs manual manipulation of the spine and joints. During the adjustment, patients may hear popping or cracking sounds as the chiropractor manually applies controlled force against the joint. The chiropractic technique used is called spinal manipulation, and involves the manual application of a high velocity thrust in a specific direction into a hypomobile joint (one that has lost its normal range of motion as a result of injury or trauma). Chiropractors also utilize soft-tissue techniques to restore mobility and prevent stiffness. Some practitioners use a low amplitude thrust, which is less forceful on the joint.
Reduced Risk of Illness
Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on manipulating the spine and other joints to treat various diseases. It is based on the belief that because the nervous system controls everything in the body, a misalignment of the spine can cause a variety of illnesses. It was founded by Daniel David Palmer in 1895 after he restored the hearing of a deaf man by correcting a dislocated vertebra in his back.
Chiropractors, counting in the Anaheim chiropractors, have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as lifestyle and nutritional counseling. Chiropractic has been shown to be effective in treating a number of health issues, including neck pain and lower back pain. It may also reduce the need for prescription pain medications in some patients.
Studies have also shown that spinal manipulation can help improve arthritic joint function. This is because chiropractors can align the joints in your body, which helps reduce the amount that the ends of your bones rub together. This type of treatment can also help with pain from osteoarthritis, which is often caused by the breakdown of cartilage in a joint.
While there are some chiropractors that believe in unscientific theories, most follow a more modern approach to health care. You should always research any chiropractor that you are considering before making an appointment.
The first visit to a chiropractor usually lasts about an hour. The chiropractor will take a complete health history and then do an examination of your spine and other joints. They may perform diagnostic tests, such as blood pressure and imaging scans, such as X-rays or MRIs. They will then decide on a treatment plan. The main treatment is spinal manipulation, which involves the chiropractor using their hands to apply a low force thrust to the joint.
Improved Mobility and Flexibility
The bones, nerves, muscles and connective tissues that make up the musculoskeletal system are crucial to good health. Chiropractic care can help ensure that this system functions at its best. This can result in reduced back pain and improved overall quality of life.
Spinal manipulation is one of the primary techniques used by chiropractors to improve mobility and flexibility. This involves using the hands or a device to quickly apply a controlled force to joints that have become less flexible due to injury or degeneration. It is an alternative to other invasive treatments for neck or back pain such as injections and surgery. Some studies have shown that chiropractic treatment is effective in reducing self reported back pain and disability from low back pain.
During the first visit, a chiropractor takes a detailed history of your health issues and performs diagnostic tests to determine the nature and extent of your injury or illness. They will then develop a treatment plan that may include manual spinal manipulation, exercise or nutritional counseling.
Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat a range of ailments from neck and back pain to headaches, foot problems and sports injuries. Their practice is based on the idea that misalignments of the spine and other spinal vertebrae interfere with the nervous system’s ability to send and receive messages to and from the rest of the body. Early practitioners believed that 95 percent of all diseases were caused by this misalignment.
Flexibility is the ability of a joint to move through a full range of motion. Improving your flexibility can help you do things like bending down to tie your shoes or reaching in the back of a cupboard without straining. Flexibility is not the same as mobility, however. Practicing stretching exercises to increase flexibility can be beneficial to your health, while improving your mobility means you’ll be able to do more physical activity at a lower level of effort.
Stress Management
Stress is part of life, but it can be a problem when it gets out of control. Managing your emotions and taking steps to take care of yourself can help you to reduce your risk of stress-related illnesses. Your doctor can suggest techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy that can teach you how to deal with stress more effectively. Keeping in touch with family and friends is also important, as is having time for hobbies and interests. Relying on drugs or alcohol to cope with stress is not healthy, and should be avoided.
Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat spinal issues using hands-on manipulations that relieve pain. They might use soft-tissue therapies, joint bracing (Kinesio taping) or exercises and stretches to ease spasms, loosen tight muscles and release tension in the connective tissue that surrounds the muscles called fascia. They can also refer you to integrative medicine experts for dietary counseling to manage your weight and lower inflammation.
Many chiropractors work alone, but some have group clinics or general practices. Some of them collaborate with other practitioners such as physical therapists, acupuncturists or nutritionists. Chiropractors have some similarities with physical therapists, but they place more emphasis on delivering manual manipulations to relieve symptoms and may have more specialized treatments for specific injuries or conditions.
To become a chiropractor, you must first complete a bachelor’s degree, usually in subjects such as biology or kinesiology. Next, you must attend a chiropractic graduate program that is typically 4 years long. During this time, you will study a variety of topics, including anatomy, physiology, and pathology. You will also spend a significant amount of time getting hands-on patient experience to prepare for your career as a chiropractor.
