If you’re receiving chiropractic care, you probably know that it can reduce pain and improve your quality of life. Many people see a chiropractor after an injury and wish they’d known about chiropractic care sooner. Here are seven things you need to know if you are thinking about receiving chiropractic care.
1. It Can Be Preventative
Chiropractors offer a range of treatments that can help you get back on your feet after an accident, but did you know that adjustments can also prevent pain? Chiropractic adjustment can reduce inflammation, improve range of movement and help your nervous system function better. A more flexible, less inflamed, more coordinated body is less likely to get injured during sports, workouts, or regular activities. Several studies have shown that regular chiropractic care improves athletic performance and reduces the risk of injury in professional athletes.
Since chiropractic care affects your nervous system, the parts of your body that depend on your nervous system also benefit. This means your hormonal balance, digestive system, and immune system can all function better. Chiropractic care is a proven immune booster, and people who receive regular adjustments get fewer infections than those who don’t.
2. Chiropractors Don’t Specialize in Bones
Many people think of chiropractors as bone doctors, but they actually specialize in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. What does that mean? Well, the keyword is “systems.” Chiropractors are experts in the mechanical movement of the body, and the way bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves interact to sustain that movement. They are considered holistic practitioners because they look at these systems and how they affect the whole body. Chiropractors also have extensive training in the body’s healing process, including the role of inflammation and immunity. This is why chiropractors can both guide an injured patient through the healing process and provide preventative care to keep patients moving well.
3. “Cracking” Isn’t A Requirement
You may associate chiropractic adjustment with a loud cracking noise. This noise comes from trapped gasses being released from joints. Not every adjustment produces this. There are dozens of adjustment methods, including gentle methods meant for seniors and those with delicate bones. Many of these methods don’t produce the signature cracking sound. If you are getting adjusted and don’t hear any snaps, crackles, or pops, don’t worry, these sounds aren’t necessary for successful treatment. Your spine and other joints can move without making any loud noises. You also don’t need to worry if you hear some cracking; no damage is being done to your joints. If you feel hesitant about receiving a chiropractic adjustment, discuss your concerns with your practitioner. Chiropractors know how to adjust treatments to make patients comfortable while still getting the job done.
4. Chiropractic Results Take Time
We all like it when we get an antibiotic or other treatment that makes us feel better fast, but natural healing often takes time. Chiropractic care encourages the body’s natural healing process and can help you recover more quickly than you would without treatment. That doesn’t mean you’ll see results overnight. Healing is a journey, and depending on your injury, you may need treatments for days or weeks to heal fully. The good news is that even before you are fully healed, you should feel some reduction in pain. Most patients notice a difference after a few treatments. Sometimes even one treatment can result in dramatic pain reduction. Less pain doesn’t equal complete healing, however. That’s where our next tip comes in.
5. You Shouldn’t Stop Treatment Because You Feel Better
Your doctor may have told you that you should always take antibiotics for the full amount of time prescribed. If you don’t, the bacterial infection can come back and be resistant to treatment. You should also follow through with chiropractic care until your chiropractor thinks you have healed or reached your goals. You may feel less pain right away, but after an injury, your body will most likely need weeks to recover fully. This is especially true for disc-related injuries. Following your chiropractic treatment plan is critical to your recovery. Stopping treatments or going back to strenuous activity too soon could cause re-injury. Holding out for a little while longer can prevent you from having to start back at square one.
6. At Home Care is Important Too
Your chiropractic care plan may include at-home activities like cold therapy, stretches, or exercises. Sticking to your chiropractor’s instructions can greatly improve your treatment outcome. Chiropractors know that you can only be in their office so many times per week, but your healing body needs treatment every day. This is why they prescribe at-home treatments in addition to your in-office sessions. Skipping the at-home part can increase the time it takes your body to heal.
This also goes for posture correction. If your chiropractor has told you to raise your computer, so you aren’t slouching over it, not following these instructions can lead to further pain and injury. Posture tips can help prevent injury and reduce chronic pain, but they are especially important to follow when you are healing an acute injury. Just as you wouldn’t put weight on a broken ankle, straining an injured back or neck with bad posture is a bad idea. Don’t be afraid to ask your chiropractor for ideas if you’re having trouble implementing his suggestions.
7. Chiropractic Care is Based on Science
When you receive treatment from a licensed chiropractor, you can feel confident that you are being treated by a highly trained professional. National agencies like the CDC recommend chiropractic care as the first line of treatment for back pain before drugs and surgery. The results of spinal adjustment have been proven by researchers all over the world for decades. Recently, chiropractic care has been highlighted as a potentially lifesaving alternative to the opioid drugs that have caused addiction and death in many Americans. Chiropractic care is the safest, most effective option for patients dealing with back and neck pain. It’s even been proven to reduce the risk of chronic pain after an injury.
At Burkhart Chiropractic, we believe that chiropractic care can change lives for the better. Our chiropractors in Michigan specialize in helping patients meet their wellness goals. Whether you are looking for pain relief or for solutions to allergies, digestive problems, and other chronic issues, our chiropractors can design a treatment plan to meet your needs.
