All You Need to Know About Seeing a Chiropractor for Newbies
By Dr. Drew Voelsch
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Everyone knows the human body is fragile, so we are encouraged to care for ourselves in any way possible. However, it is easy to forget and neglect ourselves in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially if we lead a busy life. When this happens, our body can react in numerous ways, such as body pain.
Various factors, including poor posture, overuse of muscles, poor nutrition, or lack of adequate rest, can cause body pain. Luckily, chiropractic treatments can help alleviate it while also preventing pain from occurring in the future. Despite this, many people often pass on it because they think it will not make any difference, though some are simply unaware of what can happen if they take it. For this reason, we will guide you on what to expect on your first chiropractic appointment.
How Chiropractic Treatments Work
By nature, chiropractic is a healthcare field that focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Chiropractors use hands-on techniques such as massage, manipulation, and adjustment to treat pain and improve the range of motion.
Chiropractic treatments focus on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The chiropractor will conduct a physical exam at your first appointment, ask about your medical history, and take measurements. These will help the chiropractor to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan may include spinal manipulation, massage, stretching, and exercise.
However, it is worth noting that chiropractors do more than just manual adjustments. They may also advise on lifestyle changes, nutrition, ergonomics, and stress management. Chiropractors also often prescribe orthotics—shoe inserts designed to provide biomechanical support to the feet.
How Effective Are Chiropractic Adjustments?
Generally, chiropractic adjustments are considered safe and effective for treating various conditions. Despite the little evidence available, spinal manipulation effectively reduces low back pain in the short term. It also effectively improves the range of motion and reduces disability related to low back pain.
However, one must never substitute chiropractic for medical care. Chiropractic should only be used as a supplement to traditional medical care, not as a replacement.
The Benefits of Chiropractic
When you undergo chiropractic treatment, you can reap the following benefits:
Improved Posture
Chiropractic care can help improve posture, which can benefit your overall health. Through spinal manipulation, chiropractors can help realign your spine and reduce muscle tension, allowing your body to move more freely and naturally. With improved posture, your body can be better supported and balanced, allowing you to move and stand more comfortably.
Improved Range of Motion
Our range of motion is vital because we must be able to move our joints and muscles through their full range of motion to perform daily activities without pain or injury. Chiropractic care can help improve the range of motion by using spinal manipulation to reduce muscle tension, allowing the joints to move more freely and naturally. In addition, an improved range of motion can help you move more easily and comfortably, making everyday activities more manageable and enjoyable.
Reduces Headaches
Headaches and migraines are commonly caused by muscle tension in the neck and head. Chiropractic care can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches by using spinal manipulation to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. Additionally, chiropractic care can help improve posture, which can help relieve headaches caused by poor posture.
Prevention of Chronic Conditions
Chronic conditions are bound to happen when the body is not functioning properly. Chiropractic care is a great way to prevent or reduce the symptoms of chronic conditions. Chiropractic care can help to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and relieve muscle tension to ease the pain associated with chronic conditions. By extension, the risk of further injury or worsening of the condition is also prevented.
How Many Chiropractic Sessions Would You Need?
The amount of chiropractic sessions a person will need depends on their situation. However, the general recommendation is 12 sessions, which is more than enough time for the chiropractor to identify and treat the underlying causes of the chronic condition. The number of sessions can also be adjusted depending on the individual’s response to treatment; some people may need more sessions, while others may need fewer.
Conclusion
Chiropractic treatment can go a long way in relieving chronic pain and improving overall health. However, you must never substitute it for actual medical treatments, so you must speak with a doctor to know if it is right for you. This way, you can look forward to the best possible outcome and get the most out of your chiropractic sessions.
If you are looking for back pain chiropractic, Hawkeye Chiropractic can help you! Our chiropractic methods also relieve various conditions, such as neck pain, leg pain, sciatica, and scoliosis. Call us today at (847) 472-1224 to schedule an appointment!
“Dr Drew is upfront about what’s going on with your body. He helps work with you to achieve the goals that you as a patient want to set. I highly recommend him to those interested in chiropractic services.P.S Go Cyclones!”