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Chiropractic care is a great way to naturally reduce pain or improve bodily functions. However, many people are still a little hesitant to try it out. Does it really work? Is it safe to use? This article will explain more about what chiropractic care is, some interesting chiropractic care facts, and the numerous benefits regular chiropractic care offers.
Chiropractic care is a type of alternative medicine that uses natural means to help relieve musculoskeletal pain. A chiropractor will use various techniques to help reduce pain and ensure your body is aligned. This includes manual adjustments or with the help of certain tools. Some they might use are activator adjusters, TENS machines, cold lasers, and ultrasounds. Numerous chiropractors also incorporate massage therapy into their treatments.
There are a handful of different chiropractic adjustments your chiropractor might use.
The direct thrust technique is one of the most commonly used chiropractic adjustments. It involves your chiropractor using their hands to apply pressure to certain areas to adjust them. As its name suggests, your chiropractor will usually make these adjustments very quickly in a direct spot.
Myofascial release focuses on treating skeletal muscles. It will adjust your body to relieve pain in them and increase their mobility. This adjustment can also calm inflammation. Similar to the direct thrust technique, a chiropractor will apply pressure to a certain area but slightly massage it.
This chiropractic adjustment works on the upper seven spinal vertebrae. A chiropractor will wrap their hands on the back of your neck and quickly turn your head in different directions. This will help to ensure that these vertebrae are aligned.
The muscle energy technique uses a muscle’s own energy to provide pain relief. It incorporates restrictive barrier methods that apply pressure to the muscle to help strengthen it. A chiropractor will move a certain body part, such as your leg, in a certain direction and hold it in this position for a few seconds. This encourages a muscle contraction which can stretch the muscle out.
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How often you need to visit the chiropractor will depend on your current health and the type of ailment you need to have treated. Most of the time, you’ll only need to see a chiropractor once a month. However, sometimes you might need to stop by once or twice a week.
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One of the main benefits of regular chiropractic care is that it can increase your flexibility. The adjustments a chiropractor makes helps to restore your muscles and joints to their original functioning. It will also provide important nutrients to the area which can reduce any inflammation present. Because of this, it will help your body move better.
Another benefit of regular chiropractic care is that it can reduce pain. A chiropractor understands how the body connects together and can adjust it in a way that relieves pain in multiple areas. You’ll find that these adjustments will ensure that your body is aligned which prevents joints and muscles from pressing on nerves.
To ensure the adjustments work well, a chiropractor might also apply an ice pack to the area. This will significantly reduce any soreness and calm inflammation.
If you suffer from degenerative conditions like arthritis or cystic fibrosis, chiropractic care can help. These debilitating diseases can make it very difficult for you to function normally. While a chiropractor can’t heal them, they can lower the pain and symptoms caused by them. By moving your body, it will ensure that all the joints, muscles, and bones are in place. In addition to this, regular chiropractic treatment will strengthen your muscles. This can help prevent them from easily breaking down due to these conditions.
Many people use incorrect posture because they suffer from back ailments. While leaning to certain positions to alleviate them might seem helpful, it can put strain on your spine. This can lead to improper posture which can result in serious back pain.
Chiropractic care can improve your posture because it ensures your spine is aligned. A chiropractor will feel around different portions of your spine to make sure everything is in place. A chiropractor might apply pressure to certain areas if they feel tension or swelling in them.
After treatment, your chiropractor will give you helpful tips as to how you can continue to practice good posture at home. Some of these might include keeping your shoulders back, hips aligned, and making sure to evenly distribute your weight on both feet.
You might be surprised to learn that regular chiropractic care can have a positive impact on your blood pressure. Your spine sends messages to your blood vessels to either open up or contract. Because of this, if you have a spinal injury, it can make it very difficult for your spine to send these messages. One study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension found that chiropractic adjustments had a positive effect on lowering participant’s blood pressure.
A chiropractor will adjust your spine so that it’s able to normally send these messages again. By doing so, you’ll find that it will help your body regulate your blood pressure. This can help to quickly decrease it.
One unique benefit of chiropractic care is that it can enhance your lung functioning. In other words, it can help you breathe better. Chiropractic adjustments can increase your chest expansion which can encourage you to inhale more air. These adjustments can also calm muscles in your ribs and chest that might make it harder for you to breathe normally.
After doing adjustments, a chiropractor might give you some breathing exercises to try. These can prevent muscles from contracting again and from making it difficult for you to breathe.
Regular chiropractic care offers plenty of benefits. It not only ensures your body is aligned, but can help with healing symptoms caused by painful medical conditions.
ABOUT DR. BRENT WELLS
Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. founded Better Health Alaska and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. His practice has treated thousands of patients from different health problems using physical therapy, chiropractic care, and massage therapy designed to help give long-lasting relief.
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