If you suffer from headaches, backpain or any form of repetitive strain injury, you have probably considered seeing a chiropractor to gain some relief, but, like all things, not all practitioners are created equal, and not all will help improve your situation.
In Virginia Beach all chiropractors must have undertaken specific education that is recognized by the Virginia State Board of Medicine (see here) and have passed an examination before being allowed to practice as a chiropractor.
Most trained professionals will also continue to study and stay up to date not only with new techniques but also with new technology. There are new developments and discoveries being made daily about human anatomy, how it works and how separate aspects interact, and chiropractors are particularly passionate about treating the whole body rather than simply trying to fix the symptom.
How Can A Chiropractor Help?
When you’ve injured yourself a lot of people will just type Chiropractor Virginia Beach into their search engine, but you will often find that each practitioner has a slightly different focus and area of expertise.
Despite this, the basic overview is that a chiropractor will manipulate your musculoskeletal system to help release pain and stress in your body. If it is your first time visiting a chiropractor, you may find it a little strange that you are having your leg poked and prodded when you went in complaining about a headache. However, Chiropractor’s know that your body is connected, so while you may be wondering why they aren’t working with your head, or at the very least your neck, your practitioner has understood that your whole body is out of alignment because you are favoring one leg slightly, which is what is ultimately what is causing your headaches.
Do Chiropractors Just Manipulate Spines?
Although this may be a big part of the work that Chiropractors do, it is in no way the limit. They obviously work with the whole musculoskeletal system, but this doesn’t mean that they only focus on making sure all your bones are in alignment.
When you are in your initial consultation, they will take a through medical history and assess your current condition. From this they will be able to determine the best course of treatment. Often this will begin with a massage to release the tension in the muscle in order to be able to manipulate the underlying joint without damage or pain. Sometimes you may find that all you need is a massage and the cause of tension is because a tight tendon is pulling in the wrong direction.
Some chiropractors may also use newer methods such as active release techniques which is a massage-based procedure designed to be of great benefit to those suffering from repetitive strain injuries. https://www.healthline.com/health/active-release-technique ART is a patented method, so you won’t find all chiropractors are familiar with it, however if you suffer from any form of pain caused by overuse of a muscle then it would be a good idea to consult with a professional who is familiar with this technique.
Do Chiropractors Just Use Hands?
Actually, most take a full body approach that may involve knees and elbows as well as hands. There is also a range of specialist equipment that they can use to work on your body.
They will also use a range of assessment tools which may include equipment such as ultrasound and x-ray to ensure that they have a through understanding of any issues that may be hidden. They do not want to discover that the cause of your discomfort was caused by a hairline fracture by manipulating that bone.
This is another reason why you should ensure that your chiropractor is not only qualified, but also experienced, and up to date with technology and procedures.
Do They Work Alone?
Although some chiropractors work independently, generally you will find they prefer to work in a team with either other chiropractors that have complimentary expertise, or with practitioners such as dietitians and massage therapists.
Because this is a ‘whole body’ approach to medicine, a chiropractor wants to ensure that you are well, completely. Often, they will be able to assess the cause of your injury, perhaps sitting incorrectly at your desk or in your car, and offer suggestions on how to ensure that you continue to heal rather than repeat the injury. Working with complimentary health practitioners can help you to help yourself.
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