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Is It Time for a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Woman rubbing her neck out

Back pain is inevitable. Whether you’re an office worker, sitting in front of a screen for hours, or a student preparing for an exam, your back will hurt eventually. Although good posture can reduce spinal misalignment, it cannot prevent it forever. Physical therapy and chiropractic adjustment are two excellent back-pain treatments. But not everyone is aware of the difference. A chiropractic adjustment is slightly riskier but can also be more effective. Which option you should go for depends on a number of factors. Here’s a short guide to help you decide:

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

A chiropractor treats musculoskeletal problems such as strains, muscle or joint injuries, and aches without the use of medicines. The procedure is usually painless; however, your muscles will be a bit sore afterward. Besides ensuring your joints are working right, they also improve your muscle function. This is done through various techniques, and since medicines are out of the question, chiropractors only use their hands and a few instruments. They will recommend stretches and exercises you can do to improve your range of motion, use tissue therapy and spinal alignment to fix stubborn problems, and give some really good massages.

Chiropractic adjustment treatment
Chiropractic Adjustment Is Excellent Back Pain Treatments (Image Source: Shutterstock)

There is no end to the musculoskeletal problems a chiropractor can fix. They offer treatment for back pain, migraines, frozen shoulders, arthritis, and whiplashes. If you have an injury from overworking, doing chores, or an unfortunate accident, a chiropractor can help. Chiropractors work on people of all ages, even pregnant women.

You might be wondering, what is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist? Both treat similar problems of stiffness and muscle pain, and save you from undergoing surgery, and both use the same drug-free approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal problems. The difference lies in the techniques. Physical therapists use physical exams as their base to find solutions, while chiropractors use X-rays and bone structure to figure out causes and treatments. Both of them yield similar results in the treatment of back pain.

In addition, physical therapists rely heavily on devices, while chiropractors make more use of their hands. A chiropractor uses joint manipulation, but a physiotherapist prefers mobilization techniques. Chiropractors focus on nerves and the spinal cord, and physiotherapists work with tissues and muscles. They both use hot and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, exercises, and massages to fix problems. Chiropractors add in nutritional guidelines to further reduce pain, and they do so by collaborating with nutritionists.

If you’re wondering what a chiropractic adjustment looks like, here is a short six-minute YouTube video.

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment? │ Back Intelligence

Chiropractic Adjustment Helps

Chiropractic adjustment is a technique, often termed “spinal manipulation,” in which the chiropractor applies a certain amount of force to a joint in your spine. It is a painless back pain treatment that puts your joints back in place and reduces your reliance on painkillers. Some other benefits include:

  • Faster healing. According to research, patients who opt for chiropractic adjustment heal faster than those who go to physiotherapists. This is because it’s research-based, involves nerves, is accompanied by a diet plan and nutrient supplements to help you recover faster, and has a holistic approach to the problem.
  • Improved spinal motion. If you crack your knuckles, you know how good it feels to relieve stiff joints. The same goes for popping your back. You will be able to move and sit better.
  • Physical function. Chiropractic services are increasingly gaining popularity and have been recognized as effective in disability prevention and as well as in the military. It reduces pain, increases mobility, improves posture, and allows you to move without restraint. It is so effective in some cases that it may even prevent you from getting surgery.
  • No pain. Chiropractic adjustment is painless. This is because it is done with hands and by clinically proven techniques. Plus, chiropractors are strictly adherent to the guidelines provided for the treatment of back pain by medical researchers.
selective focus of chiropractor stretching arm of patient in hospital
Chiropractic Adjustment Helps Reducing Muscle Stiffness and Back Pain (Image Source: Shutterstock)

Helping you rest. By reducing muscle stiffness and back pain, chiropractic adjustment helps you sleep better. A good night’s sleep is crucial for your overall health, and there’s no better way to achieve that than a painless treatment. It will also get rid of your headaches without medicine, which could have adverse side effects.

Should You See a Chiropractor for Back Pain Treatment?

Chiropractic adjustment is a safe back pain treatment. Its success or failure depends upon how skilled the chiropractor is and what problem you have. It is important to note here that chiropractic adjustment works for certain conditions only and may worsen the problem if done wrong. So you should seek it only when you have sciatica, neck, or back pain, and from a licensed, evidence-based professional. There are a number of scammers out there, so you’ll need to be wary of those. Chiropractic adjustment is also not a permanent solution; however, with a few precautions, you can avoid a lot of trips to the hospital.

If you have underlying medical conditions such as spinal cancer, herniated or slipped disc, fracture, osteoporosis, etc., then you should avoid chiropractic alignment. If you do not know if your condition can be treated by a chiropractor, you should still consult one. By taking a careful examination of your medical history and symptoms, they will tell you whether it can be fixed with a spinal alignment or not. They might even still be able to help, as their methods also involve several exercises, massage therapy, and more.

Woman having chiropractic back adjustment in rehabilitation clinic.
Chiro Save Yourself From Both Mild and Chronic Pain (Image Source: Shutterstock)

Adverse effects of chiropractic adjustment include compressed nerves, a herniated disc, and a greater risk of stroke. To avoid these, consult your doctor and visit an experienced chiropractor. You don’t need to make any special arrangements to see a chiropractor. When you visit them, they will examine the spots that need to be treated by making you sit or lie down in different positions. Some may suggest other tests like X-rays. Once they’ve recognized the source of your problem, they will begin the spinal alignment. You might hear popping sounds during the process: which is normal. Afterward, the chiropractor will recommend some nutrients to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation. Other minor side effects are fatigue and slight headaches.

Conclusion

A chiropractic adjustment is perfect for lower back-pain treatment. It is harmless, in most cases, effective, and pain free. A chiropractor can heal your knee, shoulder, or back pain, as well as headaches including migraines, without prescribing any medicines. You can thus avoid surgery, rest better, heal faster, and enjoy your favorite sports without pain. However, if you have a medical condition such as osteoporosis, you should first consult your doctor. Soreness after the therapy is common and will go away in a few days. It’s a win-win!