Seeking out a chiropractor when you have pain in your muscles or joints is a smart move. A large 2020 study found that spinal manipulation decreases neck pain in the short term by influencing how your brain processes pain signals.
Chiropractors use manual manipulation of the spine and other joints to relieve pain, increase flexibility and improve overall health. Their treatment plan can include a wide variety of treatments and services.
Spinal manipulation, or manual adjustment, is one of the main methods a chiropractor uses to treat patients. It involves manually manipulating the joints in your spine, neck and other parts of the body. This helps restore proper alignment, reduce pressure on nerves and improve mobility and flexibility. It also helps reduce pain and discomfort, and enhances overall health and wellness.
When performing a spinal adjustment, your chiropractor will use their hands to feel around your spine for spots that feel “off” or stuck. Then, they’ll apply a quick and controlled push to that spot. Sometimes, this will make a popping sound. Don’t worry, this is totally normal and is caused by air bubbles being released in your joint spaces.
The chiropractic technique used during spinal adjustments depends on the chiropractor’s approach and training. There are many different techniques, but most have a similar goal: to restore movement in stuck spinal joints (and in some cases, extremity joints as well).
Some people should avoid spinal manipulation, including those with severe osteoporosis or high stroke risk. They should also seek clearance from their medical doctor before undergoing this treatment. However, for most individuals, spinal adjustments are safe and effective.
Before your chiropractor performs a spinal adjustment, they’ll check to see if you have any pre-existing conditions that might affect the outcome of your treatment. For instance, you may need to discontinue certain medications if they interact negatively with your condition.
Your chiropractor will also review your lifestyle, dietary habits and family history to determine what factors are contributing to your symptoms. This will help them create a holistic treatment plan that will best suit your needs.
Some chiropractors take a more traditional approach to their practice. These practitioners are often referred to as “straights,” and they adhere to beliefs that the rest of the profession has moved on from. These beliefs include the notion that displaced bones and muscles contribute to diseases and a lack of proper alignment in the spine leads to improper nervous system function. In addition to these unscientific theories, some straight chiropractors are still using outdated diagnostic tools and treatments.
Nutritional Guidance
When it comes to overall health and wellness, a balanced diet is critical. Incorporating nutrient-dense foods into your daily routine can help reduce inflammation, support tissue regeneration, and promote healthy musculoskeletal function. A chiropractor can provide guidance on proper dietary habits to support your health goals and spinal well-being.
During an initial consultation, a team of nutritionists and chiropractors explore your individual body requirements and health objectives to craft a personalized strategy that marries dietary adjustments with chiropractic care. Each aspect is precisely tailored to boost recovery, reduce pain, and enhance your overall wellness. Through ongoing evaluations, the dietary and chiropractic aspects of your plan are adjusted to reflect your progress and desired outcomes. This dynamic approach ensures your health goals remain on track, while also laying the foundation for long-term vitality.
A recent survey of practising Australian chiropractors found that 84% incorporate nutritional management into their clinical practices. This figure is a significant increase on previous studies that found 80-90% of practitioners offered nutritional advice to their patients. Moreover, a majority of respondents reported using nutritional supplements in their practice, while around half referred patients to dietitians and nutritionists for further assessment and guidance.
To evaluate the use of nutritional guidance in chiropractic patient management, a survey of 1000 chiropractors was conducted online. Survey questions were designed to collect information on a range of topics, including the following:
The demographic details of the respondents were similar to those of the chiropractic workforce registered in Australia. Almost all of the participants provided nutritional guidance in their clinics and many recommended dietary interventions such as the use of nutritional supplements. In addition, most of the respondents were familiar with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and provided nutrition resources to their patients. This was particularly true for those chiropractors who had a background in nutrition and/or were older. Further, the use of nutritional supplementation was more common amongst those chiropractors who used a holistic approach to healthcare and who were female. Similarly, the referral of a patient to a dietitian or nutritionist was more common in those chiropractors who incorporated nutritional management into their clinical practice.
Exercise Routines
Exercise offers a myriad of health benefits such as strengthening muscles, reducing stiffness and inflammation, and improving flexibility. It can also boost posture and support optimal musculoskeletal function, which is why many chiropractors encourage their patients to incorporate regular exercises into their lifestyle. Adding a chiropractic component to your exercise routine amplifies these benefits, ensuring that you maintain a healthy, balanced physique.
The goal is to establish a workout routine that becomes an integral part of your daily life, making it more likely that you will stick with it. A chiropractic-based plan focuses on strengthening muscles and tendons in key areas such as the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Keeping these areas strong is crucial to maintaining good posture, preventing pain and discomfort, and limiting strain on the spine.
Core strength is another common target for chiropractic exercise routines. A chiropractor may recommend a range of exercises such as planks, bridges, and crunches to strengthen core muscles and alleviate back pain. This can help prevent injury and improve the performance of other exercises, such as weight lifting.
As a general rule, it is best to see a chiropractor before performing high-impact workouts. This gives muscles and ligaments a chance to adjust to their new positions before increasing the intensity of your workout. It can also reduce the risk of back or neck injuries that are commonly associated with these workouts.
However, it is important to remember that everyone’s body reacts differently. While some people are able to resume their regular exercise regime immediately following a spinal adjustment, others experience tight or sore muscles for a period of time. Therefore, it is a good idea to wait 24 hours before engaging in strenuous exercise, to allow your muscles and joints to fully adjust.
A chiropractor can also help you set up an effective exercise regimen by offering tips and guidance on the proper form for various exercises. This is especially important for more complex exercises, such as Pilates. You can start with simple exercise such as neck tilts, shoulder rolls, and a basic plank position to ease into a more challenging routine.
Stress Management
Stress is a normal part of life, but too much of it can lead to serious health problems. Managing stress levels through a combination of self-care techniques and professional guidance is essential to maintaining good physical and mental health.
While you may be able to identify some major stressors, such as a move or job change, it can be difficult to pinpoint small, ongoing sources of stress in your life. However, these may be more significant than you think. In some cases, these chronic stresses can contribute to an increased risk of heart attack or even suicide.
Oftentimes, these stressors include long hours of work or family responsibilities that leave you feeling overwhelmed. Similarly, ongoing minor arguments or disagreements can lead to feelings of frustration and tension that affect your well-being. Additionally, studies have shown that being socially isolated is linked to increased stress levels.
When you feel overwhelmed, the body’s fight-or-flight response kicks in, triggering a cascade of hormones to help you cope with the perceived threat. While this is necessary in the short term, it can cause long-term damage if the hormonal system is constantly activated.
If you are experiencing symptoms of stress, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Your GP should be able to provide advice or refer you to a mental health specialist. Techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness are proven to reduce stress.
In addition to these psychological strategies, your chiropractor can offer a range of stress management techniques. These can include mindfulness practices such as meditation and breathing exercises. They can also include dietary changes that promote relaxation and stress relief, such as eating more vegetables and fruits.
They can also incorporate biofeedback, which teaches patients to monitor their own body’s internal function such as heart rate and muscle tension. This allows them to learn how to control their bodies response to stressful events, thus reducing their overall stress level. These practices can help to increase the flow of nerve impulses across the entire body, which in turn improves the immune system’s ability to fight off infections and sickness.