Are you wondering if a chiropractor can help you with your ailments? In this blog post, we will address some questions that we regularly receive from patients; so that it will be easier for you as a patient to know what to expect.
What are the most common reasons why people see a chiropractor?
Many people seek out a chiropractor for a variety of reasons and ailments. Chiropractic is a form of treatment that focuses on the nervous, muscular and skeletal system, and aims to relieve pain and improve the function of the body and brain. Here are some of the most common reasons why people see a chiropractor:
- Back pain: Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people see a chiropractor. This can include everything from acute back injuries to more chronic conditions such as prolapse or sciatica. The chiropractor will use various techniques to relieve pain and restore normal function in the back.
- Neck pain: Neck pain can be caused by poor posture, stress, or injury. The chiropractor will examine the neck and use adjustment techniques to relieve pain and improve range of motion in the neck.
- Headaches: Chiropractors can also treat headaches, including migraines and tension headaches. By making adjustments to the vertebrae and muscles in the neck, chiropractors can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.
- Shoulder pain: Chiropractors can also treat shoulder pain, including pain caused by injury, overuse or inflammation of the shoulder joint. The chiropractor will perform various treatment techniques to improve shoulder function and reduce pain.
What are the benefits of seeing a chiropractor?
Going to a chiropractor can have many benefits for people who need specialized and individualized treatment. Here are some of the benefits:
- Pain relief: Chiropractors are specialists in the nervous, musculoskeletal system and can help relieve pain in the back, neck, joints and other parts of the body. Using various techniques such as adjustments, neurology and therapeutic exercises, they can help reduce pain and increase mobility/function.
- Treating the cause: Rather than just treating the symptoms, chiropractors try to find and treat the cause of the problem. This is done through a thorough examination. They take a holistic approach to health and work to restore balance to the body and brain. This can be particularly helpful for people with chronic pain or conditions.
- Individualized treatment: Chiropractors take the time to listen to their patients and understand their unique needs. They then develop a treatment plan that is tailored to the individual, focusing on meeting their specific goals and needs. This ensures that the treatment is tailored to the individual's body and condition, and can lead to better and longer-lasting results.
The brain as a starting point
The brain has an ability to fill in information or create its own interpretation of reality, and this can cause problems when it doesn't properly understand what is happening both inside and outside your body. When the brain's image of your body is inaccurate and it interprets information incorrectly, it can cause it to react to its surroundings in a poor way. It can be difficult to detect if your brain has an inaccurate picture of your body or of what is happening around you. This can show up as poor coordination, frequently stubbing your toes, colliding your elbow with door frames, having trouble with your golf swing, concentration problems or strong emotional reactions.
This is where chiropractic treatment comes in. Vertebral subluxations affect the way the brain processes information about the environment. By correcting these subluxations, chiropractic care can help the brain and central nervous system function better, improving the accuracy of the brain's image of your body so you can perform at your best. Let me explain this in more detail.
While it is widely known that our senses, such as our eyes, ears and nose, provide the brain with information about the body and its surroundings, it is important to note that the muscles in the body also function as senses. When the body moves, the muscles are stretched and they send information to the brain so that it knows what the body is doing.
Although we usually think of muscles such as the biceps and triceps, the smaller muscles near the spine and skull play an important role. They send information to the brain about the movements of the spine, reflecting the core movements of the body. If the vertebral segments start to move in an abnormal way, for example due to injury or poor posture, communication between these spinal muscles and the brain is disrupted, leading to poor communication between the brain and the body. This is exactly what happens when a vertebral subluxation occurs in the spine.
If you have a vertebral subluxation, it can cause disruption to the brain, or prevent the brain from receiving sufficient information about what is happening in your body. This can result in the brain having to fill in the missing information.
An example
Let's explain this with a simple comparison. Imagine that you have lived in a house with a long hallway all your life. At the end of the hallway, there is a cabinet where you can turn the light on and off. Now, imagine that the light switch suddenly breaks and you are trapped in total darkness. Would you be completely helpless?
I don't think so. You'd be able to walk down the hallway and fix the light switch, right? After all, you've lived there long enough to know roughly how long the hallway is and where the closet is. Your brain works in a similar way. Even if it can't "see" everything in your body, it can still function by using past experiences.
Now, imagine a different situation: Before the lights went out, your kids left a bike in the middle of the hallway and you didn't see it. Then you would most likely trip and maybe hurt yourself. This is a bit like what happens when your brain doesn't know exactly what's going on in certain parts of your body. Accidents or injuries can occur.
This is where the chiropractor comes in. They gently adjust parts of the spine that aren't working correctly, what I've previously called "subluxations," to get things working properly. It's a bit like restarting your computer. When your brain can understand exactly what's going on in your body, it can control your body better and help your muscles move correctly. As a result, your body will move more accurately and you'll be less likely to have accidents. This helps you to perform at your best.
So, chiropractic care is essentially about improving your nervous system so you can function at your best.
Do chiropractors have any kind of guidance or courses?
Yes, chiropractors have supervision and courses as part of their education and further training. After completing an approved education as a chiropractor, it is common for newly qualified chiropractors to undergo a mentoring program. This program gives them the opportunity to work closely with experienced chiropractors and receive guidance and support in the early years of their career.
In addition to supervision, a number of courses and further education programs are also offered for chiropractors. This gives them the opportunity to expand and update their knowledge and skills in different areas of chiropractic. Some of these courses and continuing education programs may be aimed at specific treatment methods, such as pediatric chiropractic or sports chiropractic, while others may focus on neurology or soft tissue treatment.
Chiropractors are committed to continuous professional development and updating in order to offer the best possible treatment to their patients.
Are there any side effects of treatment with a chiropractor?
Yes, there are possible side effects from treatment with a chiropractor, but they are usually mild and transient. Some common side effects include soreness, stiffness or increased pain in the area that was treated. This may last for a few hours or days after treatment, but it's usually a sign that your body is adapting and healing itself.
Other possible side effects may include headache, nausea or fatigue. These side effects are rare and most people do not experience them. If you experience any of these side effects and they persist or worsen over time, you should contact your chiropractor for further follow-up.
It's also important to note that the risk of side effects can depend on various factors, such as your general health, the type of treatment being performed, and your individual response to the treatment. Therefore, it is important to inform your chiropractor of any medical conditions, medications or other treatments you are taking before starting treatment.
An experienced and competent chiropractor will always take your health condition into account and adapt the treatment accordingly to minimize the risk of side effects. They will also be open to answering any questions or concerns you may have about the treatment.
