Chiropractic is more than headache relief, spinal adjustments

Dear Dr. Miller:

I have never been to a chiropractor. Can you tell me what I could gain with chiropractic adjustment and what I can expect when I go to a Doctor of Chiropractics?

Dear Reader:

Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the general health of each patient. Doctors of Chiropractic focus on the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system and are concerned with the link between disorders in these systems and the health of their patients. According to the American Chiropractic Association, the approach of the chiropractor is both hands on and drug free. Your chiropractor will have the skill to diagnose you, and is trained to recommend exercises that are therapeutic and rehabilitative.

Nutritional and dietary counseling is also part of chiropractic care and your chiropractor is trained to give lifestyle counseling that can have a positive impact on health. Chiropractic care is based on the belief that your body has an ability to heal itself. The Doctor of Chiropractic will help your body to do just that through spinal manipulation and other techniques.

People usually go to a chiropractor because they are experiencing pain. Many seek relief from headaches, some have lower back pain or neck pain, and often people who have had a work-related accident or a car accident seek relief from chronic pain through chiropractic. Chiropractic is successful in treating these conditions but it is not limited to dealing with these complaints.

It is one of the most popular therapies available for a variety of health problems. If you are considering chiropractic care, it is important for you to make sure the doctor you choose is trained and licensed.

When you go for your initial visit to a chiropractor, you can expect to be asked questions about your health history, and be given a physical examination. Your current problem will be discussed in great detail and evidence of inflammation or poor alignment, as well as range of motion will be assessed. Your chiropractor may use laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging or any other means necessary to determine the most effective treatment for your condition.

The treatment most commonly used by chiropractors is called “spinal manipulation.” This is done to restore mobility and by doing this, pain is alleviated and tissues are able to heal. Spinal manipulation is done with the hands or an adjusting tool. You will be placed in a specific position, often lying face down on a special table. Your position will depend on the affected area that requires treatment. The chiropractor will apply a controlled impulse to a joint. This alleviates muscle tightness and eases pain.

According to Chiropractic Adjustment-Mayo Clinic.com other treatment approaches may include dietary supplements, exercise, application of heat and ice, massage, stretching or even electrical stimulation or rest. In some cases, traction is used.

Your doctor will evaluate the progress you are making in order to ensure that you are receiving the most effective treatment possible. If you are not making satisfactory progress your treatment plan will be adjusted.

If, after carefully assessing your situation, your Doctor of Chiropractic determines that chiropractic is not appropriate treatment for your situation, you will be referred to an appropriate health care provider. Some conditions call for co-management in conjunction with your medical doctor. Your chiropractor will evaluate your situation and determine the most effective treatment for your problem.

Chiropractic can be effective in treating headaches, back pain, neck pain and many other health problems. A chiropractor can evaluate and provide a treatment plan for injuries cause by work accidents, car accidents or accidents that take place in the home. It is covered by many insurance plans and has been effective in analyzing the cause of an ailment, treating it and, in many cases, helping the patient to make lifestyle changes that will keep the problem from reoccurring.

Please send your questions and comments to Lake Superior Chiropractic, 2121 E. Fifth St., Superior, WI 54880 or e-mail cmill005@yahoo.com.

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