If you’re suffering from back or neck pain, headaches, whiplash, migraines, or joint pain, visiting a chiropractor could do wonders for your health. But many people who have never seen a chiropractor might be unsure about this type of treatment. Are chiropractors even real doctors? Is it safe to visit one? And perhaps the most important question: does chiropractic therapy actually work?
To help you better understand this type of health care, we’re taking a closer look at the world of chiropractic therapy and including a few chiropractic fun facts that will illuminate this unique—and effective—approach to treating pain and other health conditions. While chiropractic care isn’t for everyone, it has proven effective for countless patients seeking pain relief and a return to their healthy, active lifestyles.
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC THERAPY?
A chiropractor is just someone who cracks your back, right? Not quite. Many people are shocked to learn that there is so much more to chiropractic therapy than just readjusting your back and spine. While, yes, that is a core component of this type of medical care, there is really so much more to chiropractic.
According to the Palmer School of Chiropractic, chiropractic refers to a “healthcare profession that focuses on the spine and other joints of the body and their connection to the nervous system.” Chiropractors use a range of specially developed adjustments to treat pain, restore joint function, and improve nervous system health. As a result of less pain and better mobility, many patients also see improvements in their mood, critical thinking, sleep patterns, and overall mental health.
While some people view chiropractic as an unproven type of alternative medicine, there is a long history proving effectiveness of chiropractic care. Chiropractors are certified healthcare professionals who must meet certain educational and professional requirements to legally practice. There are many excellent chiropractic schools around the world and millions of Americans visit chiropractors every year. One of the top benefits of seeking out chiropractic care, compared to other treatment methods for pain, is that chiropractic is entirely drug and surgery free. Chiropractic care is a safer and more natural form of treating pain.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS
A core aspect of chiropractic care is chiropractic adjustments. Adjustments are a natural approach to relieving pain throughout the body, especially in the back and neck, which can also help you improve your overall mobility. Chiropractic adjustments not only address immediate pain and injuries, but they can also help you prevent future injuries.
Here’s a brief look at some of the most common types of chiropractic adjustments:
Spinal Manipulation:
Also known as spinal mobilization, this adjustment helps to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and even improve the functioning of your nervous system. This technique incorporates thrusts and stretching to treat the patient.
The Gonstead Adjustment:
One of the most common techniques, the Gonstead adjustment can be applied when the patient is sitting up or lying down. This adjustment technique works to restore disc alignment and improve mobility for the patient.
Flexion Distraction:
Used most commonly for back pain, leg pain, or disc injuries, the flexion distraction uses a specially designed table that flexes the spine in a gentle motion. This type of adjustment is ideal for patients with a recent injury as its seen as even more gentle than other techniques.
Thompson Drop-Table:
This type of adjustment uses a specially designed table that allows the patient to gently drop when the chiropractor applies pressure. This gentle, yet effective, movement helps to adjust the spine and just feels like a light vibration to the patient receiving treatment.
The activator method:
One of the most effective tools of the trade, an “activator” is a small device that emits gentle impulses. The device works to adjust the tone of the nervous system and has proven effective to treat health conditions like headaches and back pain.
Spinal decompression:
This technique is commonly used to treat lower back pain caused by herniated or slipped discs. With spinal decompression, the patient lies down on a table that helps to stretch the spine. This act of decompression allows for better circulation throughout the spine.
CHIROPRACTIC FUN FACTS
Dating back to the late 1800s, chiropractic has a long and interesting history that has evolved into a popular and effective modern day form of treatment. Millions of patients around the world seek out chiropractic care for pain relief and better nervous system health.
To learn more about chiropractic, here are some fun facts about this approach to care:
- Daniel David Palmer gave birth to chiropractic when he treated a deaf janitor in Davenport, Iowa, in 1895.
- The term “chiropractic” comes from the combination of two Greek words: “cheir,” which means hand and “praktos” meaning done. So, literally, chiropractic means getting things done by hand.
- Roughly 35 million Americans are treated every year by chiropractors.
- All chiropractors must complete a four-year doctoral program to become a professional Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).
- Chiropractic adjustments are even effective (and safe) on infants.
- Treating chronic lower back pain through a chiropractic, instead of a MD, can cost much less overall.
- Regular chiropractic care can be beneficial to athletes by improving their musculoskeletal functioning and mobility.
- Chiropractors are one of the largest groups of medical practitioners.
- Chiropractors can legally practice in all 50 states.
- Chiropractic care is both corrective and preventative.
CONCLUSION – CHIROPRACTIC FUN FACTS
Chiropractic care is so much more than simply cracking your back. Through a combination of specific adjustments and stretches, chiropractors can help their patients recover from chronic pain and injuries and improve their joint functioning and mobility.
As one of the more effective alternatives to back surgery, chiropractic therapy can restore the functioning and health of your back, spine, and neck, helping you return to your active lifestyle. If you suffer from back or neck pain, sciatica, or a sports or car accident injury, consider calling a chiropractor today. These professionals can help you find relief with an effective, non-invasive, and drug free approach to health care.
