Why Choose Chiropractic Care over Medical Treatment

Are you suffering from back pain and wondering about the best course of treatment?

Chiropractic care is an effective, natural approach to managing a variety of musculoskeletal complaints – one that may be more beneficial than traditional medical treatment. In this article, we explore why chiropractic is often the better choice.

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is an increasingly popular form of treatment that focuses on manual adjustment of the musculoskeletal system. It is based on the idea that misalignments of the spine, joints, and muscular system can lead to various health issues. These misalignments can be corrected with chiropractic treatments such as manipulations, mobilizations, and various therapies.

Chiropractors use a range of techniques to diagnose areas of misalignment, including posture assessment, biomechanical assessment, and palpation to detect changes in muscle tone or motion patterns.

Chiropractic manipulation is performed to realign the skeletal system and reduce symptoms associated with compressed nerves or bones being out of alignment. Treatment for soft tissue problems can include massage therapy, trigger point therapy, and therapeutic stretches/exercises.

Chiropractic care is often used as an alternative or adjunct to medical treatment to relieve musculoskeletal pain without using medications or surgery.

Many people choose chiropractic care because it falls into the category of holistic medicine; it has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve circulation and overall well-being with minimal invasiveness compared to medical treatments such as injections or surgery.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Through regular chiropractic visits and adjustments, you can alleviate many common physical problems without resorting to traditional medical treatments. Here are some of the benefits you may experience with chiropractic care:

• Reduced Pain: Chiropractors provide drug-free treatment for acute and chronic pains such as lower back pain, neck pain, headache, and joint stiffness.
• Increased Mobility: Achieved through therapy to restore flexibility and reduce muscle spasticity in joints.
• Improved Posture: Visiting a professional chiropractor can help correct bad posture caused by daily habits, injury, or chronic illness.
• Decreased Risk of Injury: Improved joint function and positioning helps decrease vulnerability to further injuries or accidents.
• Less Stress on Joints: Using gentle pressure techniques, chiropractors restore balance in the body’s musculature to lessen the stress on joints such as hips, knees, and ankles so they work more efficiently.
• Optimized Performance: Regularly scheduled chiropractic examinations improve your performance in physical activities such as sports or working out by reducing pain and restoring mobility.

Advantages of Chiropractic Care Over Medical Treatment

Detail-oriented Approach

A chiropractor’s goal is to precisely identify any existing spinal misalignments, determine the cause of the problem, and create an individualized treatment plan to address it.

This custom-tailored approach allows a chiropractor to effectively address immediate symptoms and underlying chronic conditions.

Noninvasive Care

Chiropractors use natural treatments like nutritional supplements and lifestyle advice without side effects.

By effectively managing pain with noninvasive treatments, patients experience faster recovery times with fewer risks than medical treatments such as surgery or medications, which may have serious side effects.

Holistic Approach

Chiropractors view the body as an integrated unit rather than isolated parts, so they consider physical issues and emotional stressors to provide comprehensive care.

They take into account your unique lifestyle habits, diet, exercise regimen, and other variables when looking at your specific case from all angles before determining a suitable course of action that considers your individual needs for a long-term solution rather than trying to treat symptoms in isolation for short-term relief alone.

Educate Patients on Long-Term Wellness

In addition to providing manual therapy such as joint manipulations or deep tissue massage, chiropractors often teach patients about nutrition, stress management techniques, breathing exercises, and other healthy habits that help promote long-term wellness and treat pain symptoms in a short-term period.

Types of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care can be divided into three categories: spinal manipulation and adjustment, soft tissue, and physical therapy.

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation is where the chiropractor moves and mobilizes joints to restore range of motion, relax muscles, reduce inflammation, and decrease nerve pressure.

This type of treatment is ideal for reducing lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches due to improved joint motion following the manipulation.

Soft Tissue Work

Soft-tissue therapies refer to massage treatments that reduce swelling, modify muscular spasms and improve muscle coordination through hands-on treatments such as myofascial release (MFR), trigger point work (TPW), and Swedish massage/deep tissue massage.

Trigger point therapy works by isolating stuck points in the body where intramuscular tension is found. Applying gentle pressure on these areas allows for relaxation in the targeted muscles, leading to increased mobility.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy improves strength or flexibility deficits while providing access to modalities such as hot packs, electrical stimulation (E-STIM), or ultrasound that can be used along with stretching exercises for decreased pain levels due to inflammation or muscle spasms/tightness.

What to Look for When Finding a Chiropractor

When looking for a chiropractor, it is important to know how to find one who is qualified. Typically, a chiropractor will complete an undergraduate degree and then attend a four-year chiropractic college where they receive specialized training in the field.

Once complete, they must pass rigorous national board exams which evaluate their understanding of anatomy and physiology and various aspects of chiropractic technique.

In addition, many states require ongoing continuing education to ensure their knowledge remains current and up-to-date. To make sure that you are choosing the right chiropractor for your needs, look for these qualifications:

• Board Certification: Chiropractors should be certified by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB). This means that they have completed all necessary coursework and examinations to prove their competency in this field.
• State Licensure: The chiropractor you choose should have a valid license from your state’s licensing board or health care division. You can usually look up this information on each state or NBCE website.
• Experience: Experienced chiropractors understand the unique needs of individual patients and may specialize in certain treatments or techniques. Ask prospective healthcare professionals about their experience and ensure that it is consistent with your particular goals for care.
• References: While there are no official requirements for patient references, reputable healthcare providers should be able to provide references from past or current patients who have been happy with their treatment outcomes. This will help you better understand what results you can expect from working with them before committing yourself further.

Ultimately, finding a qualified chiropractor aligned with your values and treatment goals can help ensure successful outcomes from any course of care you pursue together – be it medical or alternative therapies such as input from a nutritionist or massage therapist.

Conclusion

By weighing the benefits and limitations of both chiropractic care and medical treatment for addressing the same health issues, you can decide the best course of action for you.

Ultimately the choice between chiropractic care and medical treatment depends on individual needs and preferences. If you’re ready to start your chiropractic journey, our team at Preston Chiropractic Clinic is here to help. Call us today at (519) 653-7139.