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As people age, it is a common often belief that the pain and discomfort associated with our joints is a normal occurrence that we are forced to live with. While our joints can experience levels of degradation as we age, the pain and reduced mobility that is often associated with arthritis doesn’t have to be something that we suffer through. Instead, let's review some of the facts around chiropractic care and how it can be beneficial in treating the pain associated with arthritis.
 

Chiropractic Care and Your Joints

Many people believe that chiropractors don't do any work beyond that focused on the spine. And while It is true that the majority of work that chiropractors do surrounds issues associated with the spine, if you think this is the only work that chiropractors do, you are likely to miss a lot of the additional benefits of chiropractic care. 

In addition to spinal work, chiropractors also specialize in issues that surround our joints. Since the vertebrae that make up our spinal column contain joints between each individual vertebrae, it becomes more apparent how chiropractors are able to help with your arthritis when you think of them as joint specialists.
 

The Effects of Arthritis

Arthritis typically occurs when something irritates the joints, which can be a deterioration of the joint itself. As joints deteriorate, they may become irritated more frequently by multiple factors such as increased movement, regular movement, or changes in temperature which can cause inflammation and pain.

This chronic pain and inflammation are what we refer to as arthritis. Many patients take prescription or over the counter medications to manage the effects of arthritis, but medications will only treat the symptoms and don’t get to the root cause of your discomfort.
 

Chiropractors and Arthritis

During your first visit, your chiropractor will conduct an initial exam. In this exam, they will review your medical and family histories as well as conduct a physical exam. It is during this initial visit that they usually issue a diagnosis and design a treatment plan that is best suited for you.

Typically, patients who are experiencing issues related to arthritis can expect their chiropractor to suggest gentle manipulation of those joints over the course of several weeks. You should start to notice the benefits of your treatment plan between two and six weeks.

Chiropractic care has been shown to be effective in treating the issues and symptoms associated with arthritis. So much so that patients may not require the use of potentially addicting medications in order to manage pain during their treatment.
 

When to Avoid Alignment

If you are experiencing active swelling in your joints, it may be a bad time to have a chiropractor adjust the joint. If you are unsure if you are a good candidate, you should visit with your chiropractor to get their advice.

However, even if you cannot receive a physical adjustment due to swelling, it is likely that your chiropractor will be able to suggest and conduct other therapies to grant you some relief. Some of these therapies that can be performed in their office include:
 

• Ultrasound – While ultrasounds are typically thought of as an imaging tool, they can also produce gentle massage to the offending joints. This massage can decrease swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joint.

• Electrotherapy – These gentle electric pulses are designed to stimulate nerves and muscles near the painful joint to reduce pain and swelling.

• Infrared sauna – These rooms are specifically designed and heated to a temperature that provides adequate therapy for relaxing the joints. The warming of the joints allows for a reduction in swelling.
   

Overview

If you have been diagnosed with or think that you might have arthritis, you should schedule an appointment with a chiropractor today. They will help design a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your needs. Chiropractors are a beneficial, but often overlooked option for the treatment of your arthritis discomfort.

As the professional community ages, the diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome continue to rise. Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly associated with the repetitive movement related to typing on a keyboard with improper hand positioning. Carpal tunnel syndrome creates a burning, numbness, or tingling sensation in the hands or wrists and can occur on one or both sides.

Carpal tunnel release and surgeries associated with relieving the pain associated with carpal tunnel are increasing every year. Unfortunately, the success of these surgeries is only seen in about half of the population. If you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and are currently considering your options for pain relief, one you should definitely consider is chiropractic care.
 

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in your wrist where the median nerve passes through and then into your hand. Any inflammation or swelling of the carpal tunnel can constrict or cause pressure to occur on the median nerve. This interruption of your nerve's ability to function can cause the suite of problems associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome and while scientists are not certain why this occurs, they suggest that it may be due to the smaller size of the carpal tunnel in women when compared to their male counterparts.
 

Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome can be notoriously difficult. Any issues with the median nerve anywhere in the body can cause similar problems, making it difficult for an initial diagnosis. Some of the other possibilities that your chiropractor will try to rule out are arthritis, subluxations, or herniated discs in the spinal column that may interfere with the medial nerve before it reaches the carpal tunnel.
 

Conducting Invasive Treatments

While your doctor may suggest surgery as a possibility, it is essential to recognize that there are many possible misdiagnoses and complications associated with this procedure. The high number of ineffective operations suggests that there may have been a misdiagnosis in the first place.

 Additionally, surgeries require significant preparation, cost, and recovery time. So before you schedule an invasive procedure, it would be wise to meet with your chiropractor and get their opinion first.
 

Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Chiropractic Care

Many people overlook the potential option of chiropractic care before they schedule their surgeries. This may be because many people think that chiropractors only deal with issues as they relate to the back and neck.

However, chiropractors are trained to deal with issues concerning the nerves that travel throughout the body. They have specific knowledge about non-invasive techniques that reduce or eliminate the problems that may be associated with nerve damage or restriction.

In the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, your chiropractor will review the entire course that your medial nerve travels throughout the body to ensure they can identify where the issue is occurring.

The median nerve originates in the cervical spine and your chiropractor will follow the path of the nerve to the hand and then use techniques to help alleviate your pain.

One of these techniques involves the gentle manipulation of the cervical spine, elbow, and wrist to try to reduce pressure on the nerve. Your chiropractor may also use other non-invasive techniques such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or heat therapies to alleviate your pain.
 

Overview

If you opt to not get carpal tunnel syndrome treated, it may lead to long-term or permanent damage to the median nerve which can cause permanent numbness, tingling, or pain in your hand. If you are concerned with any of these issues, schedule an appointment with a licensed chiropractor today. They can quickly help you identify some of the potential issues and get you started on the path to recovery.

Many people have heard about chiropractors for years and may have even wondered if they can help with some of the pain that they’ve been in, but until now, something has been holding them back from scheduling an appointment. This is often the case for many first-time patients. Understanding some of the things that you should look for when “shopping” for a new medical provider can help relieve some of your apprehension. Here are a few components to help you choose the right chiropractor for you before scheduling the first appointment.
 

Check the Reviews

This doesn’t mean that you should simply do an online search and trust everything that you’ve read. Ask some of your friends, family or neighbors to see if they have any suggestions or cautionary tales about chiropractors in your area. These suggestions are invaluable because they want you to receive the best care possible and won’t hold back when letting you know if there are any issues.

You should also check online reviews. While these aren’t always accurate, and often overrepresent negative aspects, they can be helpful to see if similar issues occur and how responsive that office is to their patients’ needs.
 

Check with Your Insurance

Chiropractic care is often a covered practice, but that doesn’t mean that all providers are covered by all insurances. You can ask the chiropractic office if they accept your insurance, but it’s also important to verify that information with your insurance carrier. Many insurance companies will identify all the covered providers in your area, which can help you narrow your search.
 

Research your Condition

While you shouldn't depend entirely on your internet search to understand your condition, it can be helpful to gain some insight. If you think that you can identify what issue you might be having, it can be helpful to investigate the potential treatments and causes. As you continue your research, be sure to write down some questions for your chiropractic office. This can help to ensure that you receive the care that you want and that the office has experience with your specific concerns.
 

Call the Office

Now that you’ve gathered your background information, it’s time to make some phone calls. When you call the office, you should ask some of your questions in order to get a general feel for the professionalism of the staff. Are they attentive to your needs? Do you feel like they took the time to adequately address your questions? Were they competent? Does the chiropractor have experience dealing with your specific issues?

If you feel like the office is a good fit, you should then see about scheduling. While many offices are busy, you’ll want to make sure that you can be seen in an acceptable amount of time.
 

Analyze Your Appointment

After your first appointment, you should evaluate your care to make sure that you’re receiving everything that you need. Just because you visit a chiropractor doesn’t mean that you are locked into that provider if they don't seem like a good fit. Here are a few questions that you can ask yourself to make sure that your chiropractor remains an adequate choice for you:

• Was the office environment suitable?

• Did your chiropractor spend the time to answer your questions and explain your treatment?

• Are the treatments helping your condition?

• Is the treatment comfortable?

• Does your chiropractor seem invested in your health?

If you answer yes to these questions, you should be confident that you are receiving excellent care. However, if you have any concerns, you should discuss them with your chiropractor so they can correct any issues.

Overview

If you’ve been holding off on seeking chiropractic care, now is the time to book your first appointment. Many people don’t get the help that they need and continue to live in pain. And those who do seek help, often talk about their hesitations to call, and that they wish they had made an appointment sooner.

Physiotherapy is a branch of therapy that is specifically concerned with the treatment of an injury, disease, or disorder with physical approaches. These approaches include massage, exercise, and physical manipulation rather than invasive medical procedures or the use of medications.

While some people believe that physiotherapists work specifically with athletes on sports-related issues, their patient base is actually much broader. Physiotherapists also work with patients who are in different age groups or demographic categories. They help patients recover from injury, disease, illness, and even some of the effects of aging. Physiotherapists aim to help individuals achieve a higher quality of life through pain relief, increased range of motion, or recovery from damage to the body.

In order to achieve their desired results with the wide range of their patients, physiotherapists must employ a wide range of possible treatments.

There are three basic types of physiotherapy:

• Musculoskeletal – This therapy focuses on the treatment of sprains, strains, arthritis, incontinence, posture problems, workplace injuries, surgery recovery, and many other physical conditions.

• Neurological – This therapy works with issues associated with the brain. Potential injuries include stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal injuries, and Parkinson’s disease.

• Cardiothoracic – This branch of physiotherapy works with issues associated with breathing and can include emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other cardio-respiratory illnesses.
   

Treatment Options

Physiotherapists work with their patients to develop a personalized treatment plan that best suits their specific needs. Some patients may only require a single treatment style while other patients may require more intensive plans. There are three primary treatment options that physiotherapy uses. However, within those options, there are a variety of additional techniques that your medical professional may use to help you improve your quality of life.
 

• Manual Therapies – Manual therapies can include joint manipulation or adjustment, manual resistance training or stretching. These therapies are usually conducted in an office setting with hands-on work from your physiotherapist.

• Exercise Therapy – Exercise training focuses largely on strength training, cardiovascular stretching, and re-training proper posture.

• Electrotherapy – Electrotherapy isn’t the electrodes hooked up to your brain that deliver a painful shock anymore. Instead, electrotherapy is used to deliver a gentle current to your affected muscles in order to help promote healing and growth. This category also utilizes laser therapy and ultrasound to help heal and reduce pain.
   

Manual Therapies

Many patient’s treatment plans will include a core portion of manual therapy.

This includes:

• Joint Mobilization – Joint mobilization is designed to relieve joints and get them moving freely again. Joint mobilization is also called the gentle glide technique.

• Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilization (PIM) – This technique utilizes a handheld spring-loaded tool and is used along the spine to help reduce pain and increase mobility.

• Stretching – Stretching exercises help to loosen muscles and tendons that are tight. In a therapy setting, this is to help reduce pain associated with overly tight or shortened tissues and train them into their proper position. Stretching also helps to increase your overall range of motion and can help with overall strength as well.

• Neurodynamics – This technique looks at the nerves and their pathways to identify any areas where the nerve may be damaged or impeded. Adjustments or corrective procedures can be performed to try to restore normal nerve function.
   

Overview

Physiotherapy is another option that patients should consider when developing a treatment plan. These plans can be used for a variety of conditions including disease, illness, traumatic injury, or even routine checkups. If you are considering using a physiotherapist or chiropractor, call today to schedule an initial consultation. It’s never too soon to start feeling better.

Chiropractic care can offer benefits to so many people with drastically different conditions. While the conditions that are commonly linked to chiropractic care generally surround spine and back health, it can also help with intestinal health and ear infections as well as a multitude of other issues.

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, you should consider a visit to your chiropractor to get a diagnosis and see what they can do to provide relief. Chiropractors offer many services without harsh or dangerous medicines or invasive procedures that can cause hospitalizations and time off work.
 

Expectant Mothers

Growing a life is an incredibly difficult job for your body and creating a new life comes with some side effects that may not always be seen as awe-inspiring. As a woman’s body changes to facilitate the growth of the fetus, several conditions can be cause for a visit to a chiropractor. Some of these conditions include:

• Nausea

• Posture changes

• A protruding abdomen that curves the spine

• Changes to the pelvis

• Numbness or tingling in the extremities

All licensed chiropractors are required to take specific classes that focus on the treatment of expectant mothers. Some chiropractors receive additional education that further allows them to treat the specialized needs of pregnant women and their unborn children. Mothers should also consider visiting their chiropractor for postnatal adjustments to speed their recovery.

Infants and Children

At first thought, it may seem overbearing to think about infants receiving chiropractic care. However, positioning in the womb or difficult labor can result in increased strain on the spinal column. Chiropractors can help infants with adjustments to align their spine and promote healthy immune system responses.

Chiropractors can also help when infants have trouble breastfeeding, sleeping, have colic, or many other issues. If your newborn child is having any issues, you may want to schedule a consultation with a chiropractor to see if they can help.

Our kids are often very active and seem to be growing out of their shoes, shirts, and pants almost as soon as we buy them. This rapid growth and along with an active lifestyle can often lead to small injuries in the spine. When you combine an injury to the spine with the need for rapid growth, kids need to be in tip-top shape so that their bodies can grow and develop in a healthy and natural way. Chiropractors can even help kids (and adults) who suffer from ear infections.

Adults

Today’s adults have increasingly stressful jobs. Whether you sit at a desk for eight hours a day, which can result in poor posture and pinched nerves, or have an active job where you may have to stand for several hours or lift heavy objects throughout the day, these motions can result in back, neck or muscle pain. Luckily, chiropractors are able to help all of these individuals.
 

Elderly
 

As our bodies age, it’s natural that some of our joints deteriorate and we feel more discomfort than we used to.  While many people believe that this discomfort is a natural part of the aging process and something that must be dealt with, proper spinal alignment can actually help alleviate many of the aches and pains that people may just attribute to their age.

It should be clear by now that there are no contraindications for chiropractors when simply considering your age.
 

Who isn’t a Good Candidate?

There are a few patient types that may not benefit from a chiropractor if they are looking to receive an adjustment. These patients include those with:

• Broken vertebrae

• Fused spine

• Failed back surgery

• Multiple back surgeries that have not completely healed

• Certain types of spinal implants

Overview

While spinal adjustments may not be the right course of action for every patient, there are many other treatments available to choose from that may be the right fit. Make sure that your chiropractor is aware of your condition so you can discuss what the best treatment options for you will be along with the benefits and risks associated with each. Please don't hesitate to call your chiropractor and schedule an appointment to help alleviate your pain today.

Fibromyalgia diagnoses have been increasing as awareness has risen. Many individuals now feel that they can seek help from the medical field for their issues, although treatments are generally more difficult to understand. Many people who have fibromyalgia also complain about the lack of effectiveness that many treatment options offer. However, chiropractic care has become an increasingly common and successful treatment option for patients with the disease.
 

Understanding Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is characterized by a laundry list of signs and symptoms. These symptoms include:
 

• Widespread musculoskeletal pain

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Sleep loss

• Memory issues

• Mood changes
   

While the cause is still being investigated, researchers believe that the disorder amplifies pain signals that are sent to the brain. This means that the normal pain sensation of a pinprick to the finger can instead feel like a searing stab wound.

While fibromyalgia is most commonly diagnosed in women, individuals that suffer from headaches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), anxiety, depression, or irritable bowel syndrome are more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The disease is also commonly linked to another traumatic injury or surgery. Symptoms may appear instantaneously or gradually increase in severity.

As fibromyalgia research continues, we can expect to see more definitive answers to our questions. Currently, researchers believe that the disorder may be caused by genetics, past infections, physical trauma or a combination of the three.
 

Treatment Options

• Medications – A suite of medications may be an option for patients. These medications can include pain relievers, anti-depressants, and anti-seizure medications. Pain medications can help to reduce the pain experienced due to fibromyalgia and can offer some comfort. Anti-depressants have been used to help treat or lessen the effects of the disorder on fatigue and sleep habits. Anti-seizure medications help reduce the overall impact of fibromyalgia, and some have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia. However, many medications contain serious side effects and should be used with caution under the direction of medical professionals.

• Counseling – While counseling may not directly reduce the effects of fibromyalgia, it can be helpful for patients to talk with a professional about some of the issues that they are facing. Therapy can be beneficial in teaching patients how to cope with the effects of the disorder and strategize effective solutions in dealing with future difficulties.

• Chiropractic – Several modern studies have reviewed the effects that chiropractic care and adjustments offer to individuals that are suffering from fibromyalgia. The results suggest that chiropractic isn’t just helpful, but that it is “Quite Effective.” Another study indicated that patients saw significant improvement in their sleep, fatigue levels, and the amount of pain they experienced after just 15 adjustments.

It’s not a tough decision for many health-conscious patients to decide to make chiropractic care a critical component of their overall treatment plan. The potential adverse effects that medications pose can help to make that decision even easier. As medications that contain addictive chemicals such as opioids are more prominent in the news, many physicians are also more likely to suggest non-addictive treatment options.

Unfortunately, fibromyalgia does not have any known cures. This means that your potential treatment options may need to be considered as long-term options to contribute to an overall improvement in the quality of your life.
 

Overview

Many people who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia are faced with numerous difficult decisions when it comes to their treatment. The pain can be debilitating, but the addictive nature of many pain medications can leave people feeling scared and helpless and with no known cures, it may feel challenging to face the future. Chiropractic care offers a safe and effective treatment option that can be continued throughout your treatment. If you are considering chiropractic care as a part of your treatment plan for fibromyalgia, please call and schedule an appointment with a chiropractor today to see what they can offer to help alleviate your pain and discomfort.

Cranial facial release (CFR) is a technique that is used to help with a variety of neurological or structural disorders. Patients who have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions may be good candidates for CFR.
 

• Seizures

• Bell’s Palsy

• Breathing Disorders

• Sinusitis

• Migraines

• Vertigo

• Sleep Apnea

• Post-Concussion Syndrome

• Snoring

CFR works by inserting small balloons inside of the nasal cavity and quickly inflating them. This technique is designed to unlock cranial fixations or induce mobility in the cranial systems.
 

How it Works

First, it is important to understand that our skulls are not made of a single solid bone — especially the bones that surround our breathing passageways. These bones are designed to move as we breathe to allow for an increased amount of air to enter our lungs. When these bones don’t move normally, they can cause a variety of issues related to breathing or even our neurological functions.

The CFR process is designed to free the bones and allow them to begin moving again which restores normal function and can reduce issues that patients are experiencing.
 

Treatment

The actual process of CFR may vary so you should discuss options with your medical professional. However, many patients will find that treatment takes place on four days scheduled within a seven to ten day period while the actual process of inflating the balloons takes less than three seconds.

Many patients report that the procedure feels like having water shot up your nose, but don’t report that there is any pain. CFR is a procedure that does not require an overnight stay in the hospital or long-term observation.
 

CFR Patients

CFR patients have typically tried many different options to help relieve the effects of their condition. CFR has been shown to not only improve many of the conditions listed above, but is also very cost-effective, especially when compared to the cost of potential surgeries and recovery time.
 

There is no typical patient when it comes to CFR treatment. In fact, CFR has been successfully practiced on patients of all ages. Seniors are often treated for many of their conditions that may be associated with advanced age. While on the other end of the spectrum, CFR has been used to help infants who are experiencing a wide range of their own issues. As well as adults and teenagers who have also seen a reduction in the effects of many of the previously listed conditions with CFR treatment.
 

Amazing Successes

Dr. Stober, one of the pioneers of CFR utilized this technique in order to help children with Down’s Syndrome. One of the children that he helped was David Jones. Mr. Jones was treated with the BNS (Bilateral Nasal Specific) method of CFR. His care began in his childhood and continued when he was a young man. David attributes his treatments to an increase in cognitive ability. This allowed him to live independently and attend college. While attending college, he earned not just one, but two degrees. He felt so strongly about the benefits of this technique that he continued to educate others about its use.
 

Gaining Success

The CFR method increased in popularity when it was featured on the E-Channel and Celebrity News Magazine. Since then, more patients have started asking about and for this treatment.
 

Overview

If you have any questions about this procedure, please call and schedule an appointment to speak with your chiropractor today. They have specific and specialized training on how to perform the procedure and will be able to determine if the issues that you are experiencing are likely to be helped by the CFR technique. Many patients have already experienced success with this technique, so why not see if you can be next?

Anybody who has experienced back pain knows that they will do just about anything to relieve their discomfort and fortunately, there are many options available for patients suffering from back ailments.

If you have been experiencing lower back pain, you should schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. Your chiropractor will want to interview you and do an examination first to ensure that they fully understand your condition as well as any limitations that you may be having. After this assessment is complete, one treatment that they may suggest is a therapeutic adjustment.
 

What is a Therapeutic Adjustment?

Therapeutic adjustments are also called spinal or chiropractic manipulation and is a conventional technique that chiropractors use to treat lower back pain. An adjustment involves moving vertebrae that are not moving properly or have abnormal movement. These changes to your spine can move the vertebrae back into place or help to correct the movement that is causing you discomfort.
 

What Can I Expect to Feel During an Adjustment?

Adjustments typically involve short and fast arm thrusts along the vertebrae. These thrusts may cause an audible cracking sound when gas is released from the joint. These gases can include oxygen, nitrogen or carbon dioxide. The release of these gases can also be accompanied by the reduction of pressure within the spine.

Patients often feel an immediate improvement in their pain levels and ability to move. Some minor discomfort has been reported, but it is typically associated with back muscles that are tense and is usually short-lived.

While you may expect your joints to “crack,” it doesn’t always happen, which can be due to a tense patient. Your chiropractor may suggest using ice, have you rest, or use electrical stimulation and massage in order to reduce the tension in your back.
 

What Can I Expect After a Therapeutic Adjustment?

Most patients feel reduced pain or tension levels in their back and spinal column immediately following treatment. When patients feel pain, it is usually associated with muscle pain and when appropriately treated, the effects of muscle pain can be reduced in a matter of hours.

Several studies have shown that chiropractic patients experience mild to moderate pain relief following an adjustment. In fact, chiropractors have been shown to be as effective as many other methods of pain relief for the back, such as sleeping on a firm mattress, taking pain medication, or applying heat therapies.
 

Therapeutic Adjustments and Your Insurance

If you are considering a chiropractic visit to help alleviate your back pain, it is a good idea to check with your chiropractic office as well as your insurance to make sure that it is a covered expense. Chiropractic care is considered a complementary and alternative medicine and while most health insurances (Medicare, workers’ compensation, some Medicaid plans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, much active duty and veteran military facilities) cover chiropractic adjustments, the qualifications or limitations of your treatment can vary greatly. So, before you get stuck with an unexpected bill, be sure to get clarification.
 

Overview

Chiropractic adjustments can be a significant and effective form of treatment for lower back pain. While there may be many causes of a sore back, chiropractic care can help to diagnose these issues and offer some possible remedies. If your chiropractor can fix your pain, the adjustments are usually quick office visits that can be completed during a lunch break.

Additionally, the side effects of a chiropractic adjustment are much smaller than alternative medications. Therapeutic adjustments also cost less than some of the other alternative treatment options, especially if your insurance considers it a covered option. If you are experiencing back pain, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your chiropractor as soon as possible since receiving rapid care can help reduce the amount of time it takes to return to a pain-free lifestyle.  

Many people are beginning to use chiropractors for the treatment of a variety of health conditions. While chiropractors can help alleviate issues as they pop up, you should also consider visiting a chiropractor as part of your regular routine as many people believe that the frequency of visits directly correlates with the effectiveness of the treatment.
 

Why Make Regular Appointments?

While we have all experienced injury or sickness, our ability to rebound from those issues are often related to our physical condition beforehand. If we are in good overall health, our body can more readily compensate for an injury or illness.

This same theory can be applied to our spinal health. If your spine and associated joints are in good working order, you may walk away with minimal to no injuries from an activity that may debilitate someone else.
 

Fix Small Injuries Before They are Big

We often schedule appointments with our doctors or chiropractors when our issues become so severe that we cannot manage to get through the day without outside help. However, if you really pay close attention the progress of your condition, you may find that the issue started much earlier. Poor sleeping habits, stress, poor diet, and excessive work hours can all lead to injuries or sickness.

If you are regularly seeing a chiropractor, they can often identify these issues when they are small. They may even be so minor that you haven't noticed them yet. If your chiropractor can correct these issues when they are minimal, you will rebound more quickly without having to experience the debilitating pain that the injury may have caused.
 

The Spine Controls EVERYTHING

Every message that your body sends to your brain has to travel through your spinal cord which is housed by the spinal column. If you are having an issue somewhere in your body, that issue, along with the remedy, must travel through your spinal cord. If you have a problem with your nervous system, that message can’t be delivered, and your body cannot correct the problem.

Many issues can be attributed to spinal health including headaches, intestinal health, and your immune response.
 

To Keep Yourself in Top Condition

These regular appointments are sure to keep your health at the front of your mind and if you take care of yourself and keep yourself healthy, you are able to better focus on other issues. When your health is poor, it is hard to look beyond the pain and discomfort to focus on work, family, or the enjoyment of your life.

If you maintain a regular relationship with your chiropractor, they are also more likely to fully understand your background in order to quickly suggest and implement the best treatment for a variety of conditions that you may be facing.
 

To Avoid Surgeries

Chiropractic care is often be overlooked when people are experiencing significant discomfort. If you regularly visit your chiropractor and update them on your other health conditions, they may be able to suggest therapies that could ultimately keep you from having to undergo unnecessary surgery and recovery time.

Chiropractors can also offer a second opinion or an initial therapy before you decide on surgery, which may cause damage that is permanent and irreversible. If chiropractic treatments are conducted but aren’t successful, you can opt for an operation at a later time.
 

Overview

The benefits of regular visits with a chiropractor are numerous. Chiropractors can often identify health issues before you have noticed the negative effects of the sickness or injury and if they correct these issues early, your discomfort may be greatly minimized. Additionally, regular chiropractic care can help you avoid some sickness or injuries altogether by keeping your health in top shape. Call a licensed chiropractic professional to schedule your appointment today.  

Methods of Chiropractic Care

Going to the chiropractor can be for a variety of reasons. While chiropractors typically focus on our backs, they are truly joint specialists that help to keep our bodies and joints in proper alignment. However, the effects of chiropractic care extend far beyond our joints. Chiropractic adjustments have been used to help a diverse group of ailments that include back and neck pain, pregnancy issues, ear infections, weight loss, digestive issues and many more. The issues that can bring you into the office are as diverse as the methods to care for them, but here we’ve compiled a list of five common methods or techniques for the care of neck or back pain.
 

Diversified Technique

The diversified technique is likely to be used by your chiropractor if you are experiencing neck or back pain that is caused by a herniated lumbar disk. This is one of the most common methods used by chiropractors and offers almost instant relief for the patient. It is commonly associated with the popping or cracking of joints that allow for the release of the gases trapped in the joints which allows for reduced pressure on the joint and the nerves that pass through it.
 

Logan Technique

The Logan technique is a conventional technique that works by applying pressure to the spine which will help to realign your spine and joints. Your chiropractor may use this method if you are having issues with headaches or migraines. It also helps to improve or restore your balance and release tension throughout the spinal column.
 

Flexion-Distraction

Flexion-distraction involves stretching the spine along the axis to help bring the spine back into alignment. This method is used in patients who have scoliosis, joint pain, or other specific back pain ailments. This technique helps to reduce pressure on the spine from a bulge or a disk herniation in the lumbar spine, increase spinal motion and reduces symptoms of sciatica. Typically, chiropractors will have a special table that is used just for this technique.
 

Gonstead Adjustment

The Gonstead technique is considered one of the most popular adjustments and is used for the treatment of specific ailments in patients. Your chiropractor will do a spinal assessment on five separate criteria to detect issues with your spine. These five criteria include:

• Visualization – This is a visual inspection of the spine that helps to immediately identify any areas of misalignment or changes to your posture that could indicate an issue.

• Instrumentation – The Nervoscope is a piece of equipment that is used to detect any changes in temperature that may indicate inflammation of tissues around the spine. The instrument is used by running it along your spinal column to detect any issues.

• Static Palpation – This assessment is used when you are not moving. Your chiropractor will palpate or press along your spine in order to identify swelling, misalignment, or discomfort that are indicative of underlying problems.

• Motion Palpation – Similar to static palpation, this involves your chiropractor feeling along your spine for issues. However, they will have you move and bend your spine at various angles to detect issues.

• X-Ray Analysis – X-rays are used as a visualization of the spine. This imaging helps to identify joint and disc irregularities and may be helpful in identifying or ruling out many pathologies.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Soft tissue therapy is the use of therapeutic massage that is targeted at the muscles and ligaments that are connected to the spine. This helps to allow the spine to shift back into a proper position or reduce the tension that is placed on the spine.
 

Overview

Chiropractors have many tools at their disposal to make sure that your body is functioning correctly and you are feeling your best. If you are experiencing neck or back pain, consider scheduling an appointment today.