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Chiropractic Care: More Than Just Adjustments – Treatments, Remedies, And Preventions

Posted on by Michelle

Chiropractic draws most of its appeal from its natural, holistic and non-invasive approach. You’re not subjected to the distress of surgery or drugs that might be potentially addictive. Instead, a doctor of chiropractic (DC) helps your body gain the capacity to heal itself naturally using a range of techniques. 

For the 100+ years that chiropractic therapy has existed, it has largely employed adjustments of the spine and other body parts. Here, a DC uses their hands to apply sudden, controlled forces to the said areas in an effort to relieve pain and improve function. This is what’s known as the “chiropractic adjustment.”

Now, it’s certainly true that adjustment forms the core of the chiropractic method. But that’s not all that a DC does, as conventional wisdom would have you believe — it’s just one of the tools they have at their disposal. A chiropractor can also utilize other therapeutic measures: 

• Heat and cold

Heat therapy, or thermotherapy, is highly effective in loosening up stiff muscles and increasing blood flow to promote healing. Chiropractors utilize heating pads or wraps to target specific parts of the body. On the flip side, ice packs can be applied to relieve swelling and inflammation locally, in addition to numbing pain; this is known as cryotherapy. Both techniques can be used separately or in conjunction, depending on the condition. 

• Ultrasound

Heat therapy, or thermotherapy, is highly effective in loosening up stiff muscles and increasing blood flow to promote healing. Chiropractors utilize heating pads or wraps to target specific parts of the body. On the flip side, ice packs can be applied to relieve swelling and inflammation locally, in addition to numbing pain; this is known as cryotherapy. Both techniques can be used separately or in conjunction, depending on the condition. 

• Diathermy

This works pretty much like ultrasound therapy, employing shortwave electromagnetic waves that radiate heat when they travel through soft tissue. The result is improved blood flow, no more pain or stiffness, and fewer muscle spasms. 

• Electrical Stimulation

Yet another way to lessen inflammation and muscle spasms, albeit one that utilizes light electrical pulses. Electrotherapy could also involve the use of TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators, to soothe nerves and minimize pain. 

• Massage

Massage therapy can help in achieving many different objectives; relieve pain and inflammation, promote blood flow, loosening up muscles prior to an adjustment, and so on. Some chiropractors even have licensed MTs (massage therapists) on-site to perform more advanced techniques such as hot-stone massage.

• Hydrotherapy

It’s not unusual to come across saunas, whirlpools, and such in chiropractic clinics. The reason is simple: Hydrotherapy is quite effective in numbing pain, relieving soreness, improving blood circulation, and promoting healing in general. It can be used to complement the high-tech treatments we’ve just seen, or even as an alternative if necessary.

• Spinal Traction

This involves the use of pulleys and strings (AKA traction devices) to stretch the spine and separate vertebrae. The result is disc decompression and less pressure on nerve roots. 

• Mobilization and Stretching

Like chiropractic adjustment, mobilization is a technique used to restore mobility and realign the body — but with less force applied in a much gentler manner. Therapeutic stretching helps achieve the same objectives, in addition to preventing the formation of scar tissue following injury.

• Exercise

Yes, chiropractic care often extends to the exercise you do yourself. Your DC will enlighten you on various routines you’ll be performing to get your body back in shape and prevent injury or illness in the future. 

As you can see, chiropractors have lots of options at their disposal to treat discomfort and pain. It’s also worth highlighting that DCs follow the same approach as other practitioners; your doctor will first look at your medical history and perform exams before prescribing treatments. You can, therefore, trust them to make all the right decisions. On that note, let’s look at some of the conditions that can be effectively managed with chiropractic care. 

Low Back Pain

About 60-70 percent of all adults have had to deal — or are likely to experience — low back pain at some point in their lives. The condition can be caused by a number of factors, including: 

• Sprains and strains

• Herniated discs

• Compression of the sciatic nerve (sciatica)

• Normal wear and tear

Research indicates that chiropractic manipulation of the spine can provide relief for low back pain, the cause notwithstanding. According to a study published in 2018, it may reduce pain intensity to the extent that you wouldn’t have to rely on prescription meds for relief. Patients are also less likely to suffer from a disability, and there were no serious side effects reported whatsoever. 

Neck and Shoulder Pain

Everyone wants to walk with their head held high. Simple as it sounds, discomfort in either of these two areas can keep you from doing so with ease. The good news is that your local DC might be able to help.

Neck pain is often the result of a misaligned cervical spine, the seven or so small vertebrae supporting your neck. A few sessions with your chiropractor might be enough to restore alignment, and they’ll prescribe exercises to keep tightness and aches at bay. DC’s are also adept at dealing with shoulder conditions, particularly those caused by inflammation, arthritis, and instability. 

Headaches

A 2000 study conducted by Macquarie University suggested that chiropractic care can tremendously enhance the quality of life for migraine sufferers. About 70 percent of subjects reported dramatic improvements after undergoing spinal manipulative therapy performed by DC’s.

You might also want to try out chiropractic adjustment if you suffer from tension headaches. This is the kind where you feel a dull, nagging pain like you’re wearing an excessively-tight band around your head. Tension headaches are named so because they’re caused by muscular tension emanating from the neck, which in turn is the result of bad posture. A chiropractor can help put your muscles back in the right position and help you make adjustments to avoid imbalance in the future.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

A growing number of patients have experienced relief following chiropractic therapy for the following conditions:

• Osteoarthritis

This refers to swelling and tenderness around the joints caused by excessive wear on the cartilage that cushions your bones. A chiropractor can perform adjustments to relieve the pressure that causes these uncomfortable symptoms. 

• Frozen Joints

Chiropractic therapy can further relieve stiffness on joints whose mobility has been restricted by injury or misalignment. 

• Plantar Fasciitis

The name might sound unfamiliar, but this is a very common condition. Plantar fasciitis is characterized by a constant ache in the heels while walking, often accompanied by swelling and numbness. Your chiropractor will apply various forms of therapy to restore mobility and function, in addition to prescribing additional self-care measures. 

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A tingling sensation in your palm has nothing to do with money, as superstition dictates. It could be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. A chiropractor will prescribe rehabilitative therapy to relieve pressure on your median nerve, which is what’s causing the strange feeling. 

Other musculoskeletal disorders that respond to chiropractic treatment include tendinitis, dislocation, whiplash, ruptured discs and tendons, as well as herniated discs. 

Make A Stitch in Time

Why wait until something goes wrong to commence chiropractic therapy? Beyond alleviating illness and suffering, the treatment is also focused on putting your body in the best possible shape. Like any top chiropractic clinic, these Beaverton chiropractors can put you on the right track towards a fitter, more resilient version of yourself by:

• Performing adjustments to increase muscle strength and mobility.

• Helping you adopt the right posture when sitting, standing, walking, and going about your day in general. 

• Recommending exercises to include in your daily routine.

• Counseling you on nutritional matters and other aspects of your wellbeing.

Most significantly, chiropractic is the only technique that’s proven to eliminate subluxations (kinks along the spinal cord) that delay immune response. Commence therapy today, and you just never know — it could be the difference between a slight upset and debilitating illness. It’s in your best interest to make an appointment with a chiropractor as soon as you can.

Choosing The Best Chiropractor (Doctor Of Chiropractic)

Posted on by Michelle
Doctor of Chiropractic

Chiropractic care isn’t so much a way of treating illness, as it is a way to put your body in its best possible shape. But that you already know — it’s the reason you’re looking for the best doctor of chiropractic (or DC) near you, isn’t it? Well, we’ve compiled a few tips to make things easier for you. Here are 6 steps towards finding the best chiropractor. 

1. Ask for Recommendations

There’s no better way to kick-start your search than to gather recommendations from your close acquaintances. If one of your friends or relatives has recently visited a chiropractor they rather liked, you will definitely want to check them out. Even if you don’t end up choosing that particular practitioner, it will still be a step in the right direction. 

Also, be sure to ask for referrals from your primary care physician. Being part of a larger profession, your doctor might be able to offer some pretty valuable insights into local chiropractic practices. They could even suggest who might be best suited for your needs. 

2. Check Credentials

Now that you’ve cultivated a list of referrals, it’s time to get to work and start narrowing down to the best care provider. There’s no overstating the importance of conducting background checks when looking for a DC (or any professional service for that matter). You want to ensure that that the providers you’ve been recommended are qualified and licensed to operate in your state before you make any commitments. 

Start by checking their websites to see whether they’ve listed their credentials (professional training and certifications). Visit your state’s licensing board website to verify these details and check licensure. You’ll also find out whether any DC you’re considering has been flagged for unprofessional conduct or malpractice. 

3. Hone In

As we pointed out earlier, choosing the best chiropractor is all about finding one who can adequately meet your care needs. You have to visit each practitioner’s website and find out which areas they specialize in. Are they well-versed in handling your specific condition or injury? Which particular procedures do they employ, and what’s the success rate? And for how long have they been practicing chiropractic in the first place? The more experience a provider has, the better the outcomes you’re likely to achieve with them.

Now, obviously, you cannot rely on the chiropractor’s own channels to offer the most objective answers here. It’s worth looking up reviews and see what others have to say about their services. Feedback from past patients will offer some pretty valuable insights, not just on the effectiveness of treatment, but also on the overall experience you can expect with a particular provider. 

4. Factor in the Cost

While you’re still doing your research, it’s important that you take the cost of treatment into account. Find out how much each DC on your list charges for the services you need. Also, check whether the clinic participates in your insurance plan; ideally, you want to receive the most care for the lowest out-of-pocket cost. 

With that in mind, you will want to ask your insurer for a breakdown of what aspects will and won’t be covered. Do the math and find out if you’ll be able to foot your end of the bill. 

5. Gender Preference

This is yet another practical consideration you should keep in mind. You don’t necessarily have to pick a practitioner of your own gender — DCs are trained to care for patients of both sexes. Still, chiropractic employs a much more intimate approach compared to traditional therapy. So it only makes sense to choose a provider you know you will be comfortable with. 

6. Schedule a Consultation

It’s safe to say that you will have just a few candidates left on your list at this point. That means you can now meet them in person and learn more about their techniques first-hand. Most chiropractors will be happy to offer a free consultation if you call ahead and make an appointment. It is in your best interest to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Doctor Consultation

Your first meeting will not provide enough time to ask all the questions running through your mind, obviously. But this checklist will help you cover all the crucial points: 

• Ask whether they’ve handled cases like yours in the past (people with similar needs or conditions). 

• Which procedures does the chiropractor think will improve your wellbeing, and why? Also, check if they offer additional treatments (acupuncture, massage therapy, counseling, etc.) that might be beneficial.

• What steps will they take to make treatment physically comfortable for you? 

• How soon can you expect to see improvements?

Now, it’s worth pointing out that there’s no right or wrong answer to these questions. Rather, they’re meant to help you assess whether you can develop a good patient-doctor fit between the two of you. 

A good chiropractor will first try to get a good glimpse of your condition before suggesting any treatments. They should provide satisfactory answers to your queries and respect your concerns. Most importantly, the chiropractor you choose should be able to develop a concrete treatment plan and be ready to refer you to another provider if you fail to make progress in a timely fashion.

What You Need To Know About Chiropractic Care

Posted on by Michelle

Long gone are the days when chiropractic was just an edgy new-kid-on-the-block. The latest statistics show that it’s now the third-largest sub-field of the healthcare landscape. But what exactly is chiropractic therapy, and how can it be of benefit to you? Read on to find out.

What is Chiropractic Care? 

Chiropractic is a therapy that’s built around the body’s ability to heal itself. It focuses on the body’s main structures (muscles, skeleton, and nerves) and how they affect one’s overall health. A fundamental tenet of this approach is that the patient’s wellbeing can be improved by adjusting these structures using special, highly-refined techniques. The practitioners responsible for administering these treatments are known as chiropractors — although, the formal term is ‘Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs).’

Chiropractic care involves manipulating the spinal column plus other musculoskeletal structures to bring them back in alignment, thus putting the body in a position to heal itself. Patients also receive exercise and postural education and other treatments to relieve pain and improve body function. 

The chiropractic approach doesn’t employ drugs or surgical procedures. Still, most DCs work hand-in-hand with primary care physicians, and will thus refer patients for these services if their conditions demand so. Otherwise, a chiropractor will usually work to develop a treatment plan that steers clear of either. 

Chiropractic is widely recognized as an effective solution for inflammation and pain (neck, lower back, and headaches). However, there’s a growing body of evidence indicating that the therapy can provide relief for other conditions. Let’s look at the various ways in which chiropractic care can be beneficial to your wellbeing. 

Aids in Blood Pressure Management

Chiropractic care can help lower blood pressure. That was confirmed in a 2007 study involving fifty subjects, each of whom had misaligned Atlas vertebra and hypertension. A specialized chiropractic procedure that targets nerves in the upper neck region produced a significant decrease in blood pressure — the equivalent of taking a couple of doses of hypertension medications. This was achieved after just one application. And unlike conventional drugs, chiropractic doesn’t bring any unpleasant side effects; no nausea, dizziness, anxiety, fatigue, or anything like that. 

Improves Digestive Functions

The nerves running through your spinal cord are partly responsible for controlling stomach functions. If you regularly experience issues like constipation, gas, or diarrhea, chances are your stomach isn’t to blame — it could be pointing towards issues in your spine. Vertebral misalignment could be causing your nerves to signal for more acid than necessary, causing all kinds of digestive problems as a result. 

Perhaps it’s time you gave chiropractic therapy a try. The treatment will put your spinal cord back in line, which will improve digestive function and make the problems go away — all without the use of drugs. 

Improves Breathing

Spinal misalignments, specifically in the thoracic and mid-cervical regions, inhibit nerve impulses upon which the lungs rely for proper functioning. Chiropractic adjustments have, however, proven effective in eliminating these inhibitions. Studies show that asthmatic individuals who’ve undergone the treatments experience fewer breathing difficulties. 

Better Posture, Balance, and Range of Motion

Like we highlighted earlier, chiropractic care aims to provide more than just relief. A chiropractor will also train you on how to adopt the right posture as you go through your daily activities (sitting, standing, walking, etc.). With time, your energy levels will increase, and you’ll get through the day with less effort. 

Lowers Stress

With pain relief and improved body functions comes the ability to sleep better at night. That puts you in a much better position to deal with the daily stresses of work, family, and whatever else you have going on. It’s also been suggested that chiropractic therapy can ease stress in a similar matter to other mind-body approaches like yoga. 

The Key to a Healthy Lifestyle

Over ninety percent of patients who’ve received chiropractic care in the past year report that it’s highly effective — it is so good that just about all of them recommended it to friends and family. And with no drugs, injections, or knives to be afraid of, there’s nothing to keep you from giving it a try. Make an appointment with a top chiropractor near you and start experiencing these and many other benefits.