Chiropractic care is a therapeutic and alternative medicine treatment that a licensed chiropractor performs. The chiropractor will use their hands and specialized instruments to manipulate and adjust joints in your body. The leading theory behind chiropractic care is that the body heals itself much faster when the musculoskeletal structure is aligned.
Chiropractic care helps reduce pain, manage inflammation, and improve overall body functions. Often, chiropractic care is offered in conjunction with conventional medicine. So, how do chiropractic adjustments work?
Who Is a Chiropractor?
As mentioned earlier, a chiropractor is a licensed health practitioner who treats different conditions by manipulating joints. They focus on issues that affect the musculoskeletal structure and nervous system. They also help if you have problems with your muscles or joint dysfunction. Here are some common issues that chiropractors deal with:\
- Headaches caused by musculoskeletal issues
- Neck pain or issues with the cervical spine
- Muscle pain, soreness, or injury
- Lower back pain
- Joint pain and dysfunction
- Muscle aches and stiff muscles
- Muscle and skeletal injuries after an accident like whiplash
What Do Chiropractors Do?
Chiropractors treat strain, pain, creaks, and aches in the human body. They specialize in any issue that involves the musculoskeletal structure. Their approach provides relief from pain and improves healing without using drugs. Their treatment may include:
- Adjustments – An adjustment is the realignment of joints to improve the range of motion and reduce pain
- Soft-tissue Therapy – They release tension, relieve spasms, and relax muscles and connective tissues around joints
- Stretches and Exercises – They advise on stretches and exercises you can do at home to improve your physical condition
- Kinesio Tapping – It is a therapy that helps support sprained muscles and joints while they heal
- Refer to experts – They can refer you to experts who will help you heal or are necessary for the treatment plan they develop for you
Chiropractic Adjustments – How Do They Work?
Before you get any adjustments done, the chiropractor first needs to have some information. When you visit the chiropractor, they will ask for your medical history. It will include the condition you currently have, any recent illnesses, and any medication you are on. After the medical history, they will examine to assess the extent of your injury. They may also recommend other tests like X-rays.
The Adjustment
To perform an adjustment, the chiropractor will place you in different positions to give them access to specific joints and muscles. You will usually be lying down on a special table with padding.
The chiropractor will use their hands to apply controlled pressure on particular joints. The joints may often go beyond their usual range of motion. Your joints may pop or crack when this happens, but you should not be alarmed.
Through this action, the adjustments improve the range of motion. They also stimulate the tissue in the joints to become active. They may also release any pinched nerves that may be causing pain. Blood flow to the adjusted joints improves, and the tissues relax.
After the Adjustments
After an adjustment, the chiropractor will advise that you get some rest. Resting will help your body take full advantage of the treatment. Immediately after the adjustments, you may feel tired or sore, but all that will subside after you get some rest.
For more on how a chiropractic adjustment works, call Mend at (214) 363-5267 to reach our office in Dallas, Texas.