When you seek chiropractic care, you will be treated at the hands of a trained specialist. They know how to use their hands or some small instruments to apply a sudden yet controlled force to a joint in their patient’s spine. They aim to perform spinal manipulation to achieve improved spinal motion while also improving the body’s overall function. Their services are in demand because neck pain, pain in the lower back, and headaches are among the most common complaints these days, and those are precisely the main areas they treat.
Are there any risks when going to a chiropractor?
In general terms, chiropractic adjustments are considered to be safe physical treatments, and the majority of their patients can achieve relief or experience a measurable improvement in their symptoms.
However, the adjustment needs to be performed by someone who has received special training and is licensed to provide chiropractic care.
Are chiropractic adjustments good for everyone?
Always consult with your doctor if you have another condition before attempting to receive a chiropractic adjustment. It is not recommended that you see a chiropractor if you:
- Have severe osteoporosis.
- Feel tingling, numbness, or lack of strength in your leg or arm.
- Have or had cancer of the spine.
- Have been found to be at an increased risk of stroke.
- Suffer from a bone abnormality in the upper neck region.
What should I expect will happen in a chiropractic appointment?
During your first visit, your chiropractor will take notes on your medical history and discuss how you are feeling and why you are there. Then, they will perform a physical exam, focusing particularly on the state of your spine. At that point, they may determine that X-rays and other tests or examinations are required before proceeding with the adjustment.
During the Adjustment
To set you up for your chiropractic adjustment, you will be placed lying face down on a padded table that has been specifically designed for this purpose. If the area to be treated is not your spine, you will be made to rest in such a way as to give the chiropractor access to that area.
Using their hands, the chiropractor will apply a controlled, sudden force to the joint, getting it to extend beyond its normal range of motion. It is normal to hear cracking or popping noises as the joints are manipulated during the treatment session.
After the Adjustment
As you get home and during the following hours or days, you may experience some minor side effects from the chiropractic adjustment, and that is to be expected. You may feel pain in the area that was treated, as well as fatigue or a mild headache. Make sure to follow all of your chiropractor’s instructions, such as home exercises, applying heat and cold packs, drinking plenty of fluids, or going for a walk. The discomfort should disappear on its own within a short period of time.
What results can you expect?
Chiropractic care has been shown to be effective in treating pain in the low back area and the neck, as well as issues with the spine. You may also see an improvement in your headaches. Schedule an initial consultation to determine if a chiropractic adjustment may help you obtain the results you seek.
