Shattered glass was everywhere.
Julia was driving home after a long day of waitressing. It was a normal Tuesday evening until her car was suddenly struck by a large commercial van. While Julia was able to survive the crash, her life was forever changed.
Every day, Julia experiences some type of pain as a result of her injuries. To make it through the day she relies on a heavy load of prescription medications.
Stories like this happen all the time. Opioids are the preferred solution, instead of holistic remedies, like chiropractic adjustment benefits.
A staggering 29% of all patients who receive an opioid prescription for chronic pain will abuse them in some way. On top of causing overdoses, and addiction problems, opioids are also ineffective.
Opiates are only good at masking pain, not healing it. Read on to learn about how chiropractic treatments can help cure pain, for good.
Chiropractic Adjustment Benefits
There are several chiropractic benefits you might not know about. Here are some of the top major benefits of seeing a chiropractor can do for you:
- Reduce or eliminate pain
- Strengthen the immune system
- Reduces inflammation
- Improve joint mobility and function
- Loosen muscles
- Better circulation
- Speed up the healing process
- Support nervous system
We invite you to remember that you don’t have to be in pain to see a chiropractor. Rather, it can be helpful to be proactive in your health and making an appointment before any pain occurs.
Let’s look at how chiropractors are helping people live pain-free lives.
Importance of Spinal Alignment
When your spinal cord isn’t aligned properly, your entire body is off balance. Your spinal cord has a major impact on almost every single thing you can do with your body. The way you stand, walk, breathe, and more, all rely on you having a healthy spine.
Chiropractors study the practice of spinal manipulation. Their treatments will all center around putting your body back into proper alignment.
When to Get An Alignment
Do you ever feel like your body is out of whack? Almost like you slept funny, but never quite worked out the kinks? Whenever you feel like something is off with your body, it’s a good idea to schedule alignment with your chiropractor.
Let them know how you’re feeling, and when the symptoms first began to occur. Finally, find out if any other possible causes could be contributing to your off-centered feelings. For example, your chiropractor may suggest you try sleeping with a more back-friendly designed pillow, or bed set up.
When an Alignment Isn’t Enough
While getting an alignment is a great first step, sometimes you’ll need even more chiropractic assistance. For instance, what if you get your alignment, but the next week your back feels out of whack again?
Let’s look at some of the different types of lower back pains. Next, we’ll explore what chiropractic treatments can help best for each type of pain.
Types of Lower Back Pain
Your discomfort is occurring because something isn’t working the way it should, and your body wants you to know. When you see a chiropractor, you’ll be able to start understanding what your aches and pains are trying to say to you.
Here are some of the different types of lower back pain you might be experiencing:
- Acute
- Chronic
- Neuropathic
Keep in mind that it’s possible you could be experiencing several types of pains at the same time. The best way to pinpoint what type of pain you’re experiencing is to start writing down symptoms to share with your chiropractor.
Acute Lower Back Pain
Acute lower back pain usually occurs immediately after an injury. Car accidents, slip and falls, and sports injuries, are all common acute pain causes. The onset of a disease can also cause acute pains to be present.
Treatment Options
Did you know that your chiropractor has the power to order X-rays? Certain chiropractic offices will even have the capabilities to perform more extensive imaging studies. Extensive imaging studies would be things like MRI’s and other laboratory tests.
Whether you’re going to First Choice Chiropractic or your regular office location, call ahead to see what services they offer. If you’re experiencing sudden pain, that you’ve never had before, it’s highly likely your chiropractor will want at least an X-ray done. If they need further imaging tests done, and they don’t have the abilities on-site, they can still refer you to an outside center.
Chronic Lower Back Pain
Next, we have chronic pain, which can be a bit harder to diagnose. Chronic pain, or persistent pain, can last for years.
Usually, this pain occurs when there’s some type of ongoing tissue damage. Yet, sometimes there isn’t any apparent ongoing damage and the pain will continue to occur.
Treatment Options
Arguably, the biggest chiropractic adjustment benefits are having nonsurgical solutions at your fingertips. If you’re experiencing chronic lower back pain, your chiropractor will probably want to begin with an adjustment or alignment.
They will most likely also want to have an X-ray performed, to help give them better insight as to what they’re dealing with. Next, your chiropractor may suggest you begin a regular massage maintenance plan. Regular weekly massages can help promote blood flow while also reducing inflammation.
Neuropathic Lower Back Pain
When chronic pain is present, but there isn’t any type of ongoing injury, you might be dealing with a pain disorder. A pain disorder means that the pain receptors along the spinal cord are overly sensitive. Almost 1 out of every 5 Americans will experience neuropathic pain in their lifetime.
In some cases, sensitive pain receptors can become overactive. When this occurs the receptors become confused and send pain signals at times they should be dormant.
Treatment Options
If you’re experiencing neuropathic pain, your chiropractor is going to want to look for ways to reduce the stress on your body. To do this they may provide you with instructions for an exercise program that’s centered around strengthening your back.
For example, they might ask that you perform specific back strengthening stretches every night. Of course, providing you with exercise instructions will only be a part of the help they provide.
To help alleviate your pain they will also look at addressing the entire issue, rather than the symptoms. This means getting a spinal cord adjustment, muscle care, and more.
Full Body Health Benefits
So far we’ve been discussing types of pain that might lead you to see a chiropractor. Yet, while eliminating back pain is great, it’s only a part of what a chiropractor can do. Let’s look at how seeing a chiropractor can keep you safe from the flu.
Stronger Immune System
When’s the last time you were sick? It’s natural to get sick now and then, yet it’s not normal to constantly be battling some type of bug. So why is it then that some people seem to never get sick, while others get the flu just thinking about germs?
Chances are, the last time you got sick it was because something was happening in your life that made your immune system to be vulnerable.
Yet, sometimes, it’s not something your consciously doing that weakens your immune system. For example, having an injury can instantly make your body more susceptible to sickness. As your body spends more and more energy towards healing, it becomes tired and less able to fight off foreign bacterias.
How else can you inadvertently jeopardize your body’s health? By having an unaligned spinal cord.
Vertebrates and Your Immune System
Your spine is directly connected to your immune system. Your entire nervous system runs through your spinal cord and sends messages to help with immunity.
When you’re experiencing a spinal misalignment, stress starts to build up in your body and your nervous system. As a result, your body starts to exhaust itself and, your immune systems’ ability to respond weakens.
When your spinal cord is properly aligned your body can send the messages it needs to function properly. You’ll have a stronger immune system, nervous system, respiratory system, and digestive system!
Set a Health Goal
It’s exciting to think about living a pain-free life. One where everything about you is stronger and more vibrant. A life where you’re not only reducing pain but also being proactive towards your overall health and well being.
So far we’ve been talking about different types of pains and chiropractic adjustment benefits. Yet, there’s one benefit that’s not physical, we haven’t touched on yet. That benefit is goal setting.
When you find the chiropractor that’s right for you, you’ll have a trusted advisor to guide you along your healthy lifestyle journey. It’s refreshing to have an expert in your corner to make sure you’re taking the right steps towards reaching your health goals.
Of course, it helps to already have a few health goals in mind before your first appointment. When you know what you want to accomplish, you’ll be able to make an effective plan of action.
Not sure what type of goals you should be setting for yourself? Go ahead and check out our health articles to find your inspiration today!
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