Why visit a chiropractor instead of a doctor? Although chiropractors may not hold medical degrees, they have extensive training in chiropractic care. Chiropractic care involves diagnosing and treating neuromuscular conditions by manipulating the spine with hands or a tool, in combination with other treatments like proper diet and exercise. They rely on the theory that when the musculoskeletal structure of the body is well aligned, the body can heal itself without the need for treatment. Below are the conditions that are best handled by a chiropractor.
- Headaches
There are many types of headaches, but chiropractic care has been proven to treat two types of headaches. These are cervicogenic and tension-type headaches. Cervicogenic headache is mainly caused by neck issues such as reduced range of head motion, stiffness of the neck, and pain when moving the neck. Tension headache is common and is as a result of muscle contractions in the head and neck. Among things that trigger tension headaches are alcohol intake, fatigue, and poor body posture.
- Severe back pain
Back pain can result from heavy lifting, improper lifting, or sudden awkward movements. If you experience pain when you bend, lift things, or make other movements, a chiropractor will help identify the issue and treat you.
- Muscle and joint pain and stiffness
If you overuse your muscles by performing strenuous work or you obtain an injury, you are likely to develop pain and stiffness of your joints and muscles. Muscle pains can result from misalignment of the spine, which then exerts pressure on the joints. People with an active lifestyle like gym trainers or those who work out a lot could experience these kinds of pain. Athletes also have active lifestyles and often experience muscle pain.
- You spend most of your time sitting
Excessive sitting can harm your health in so many ways. Apart from developing health issues like heart problems and diabetes, the muscles on your hips and back will suffer. Moreover, since you are not utilizing your lower body, the muscles on your legs become weak. Poor posture also causes spine degeneration, which results in severe pain. Sitting for a long time also causes blood to accumulate in the legs, which causes varicose veins and deep pain thrombosis. If you sit a lot, you need to schedule regular meetings with a chiropractor.
- Your shoe soles wear out at different rates
Is one of your shoe soles wearing out faster than the other? That is a sign that your body is misaligned. A chiropractor should be able to get you back in shape.
- Your muscles are no longer as flexible as they used to be
If you notice that you are not as flexible as you were before, that is a sign that your muscles need a boost. For example, the range within which you can twist your neck will reduce when your muscles are less flexible. As you age, the flexibility of your muscles decreases, which makes it more difficult for you to move, run, and do other activities.
- You need professional advice on how to live a healthy life
Chiropractic care alone will not yield the results you need. You should take care of your diet, workout life, and quit habits such as smoking and drinking. You should take a lot of water. The foods that you eat also have an impact on your health. A chiropractor will recommend to you foods such as broccoli; which is highly nutritious and good for bones and muscles, turmeric, leafy green vegetables, and salmon.
- Avoid pain medication
If you want to avoid medication or surgery, then chiropractic care is the way to go. A chiropractor will adjust your spine and joints, perform soft tissue therapy, and advice on the exercises and foods that will make you recover. If you have been involved in an accident, it is wise to visit a chiropractor because X-rays may not catch tiny tears that occur in your ligaments and muscles.
Chiropractic care is not just about treating physical ailments but also preventing them. You can receive chiropractic care regularly to stay in health. Ask your chiropractor the healthy habits you can employ in your daily life to make chiropractic care effective.
