A recent article in US News & World Report gave us an article on the four signs that you should see a chiropractor.
The reasons that they say you should see a chiropractor are the following:
Chiropractors assess your body for imbalances and tightness within your joints of your back, arms, and legs. If there are any signs of abnormal movements, then we may be able to improve upon it. Tight right low back? We can give it a good adjustment, and we can get it moving better. Stiff neck that radiates pain to your shoulders? We can help restore normal neck movement to take pain and pressure away.
I recently wrote a memo to the doctors I work with at the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center. They have a handout that shows the diagnosis codes that chiropractors treat, but I wanted to simplify it a bit. Back and neck pain patients need chiropractic care to help provide a treatment that is more supportive than medical management. A good referral, I wrote, is a patient who comes in and has positional low back pain. If you bend your back a certain way, and it hurts, then that’s a good referral. Same with the neck. If you bend your neck a certain way, and it hurts at the end range, then that’s a good referral.
Here are some of the key points made in the article and some references that support these points:
In California, if you’re looking for a good chiropractor who engages the chiropractic community, then you can also go to Calchiro.org to search for a member. I’m in there, and I’m a member of their personal injury committee.
Low back pain is a common issue that affects many individuals, and chiropractors can be an effective solution to alleviate the discomfort. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation techniques to address the root cause of low back pain, which is often caused by misalignments in the spine. By restoring the proper alignment of the spine, chiropractors can help to reduce pressure on the nerves, muscles, and other tissues in the low back region, resulting in less pain and improved mobility.
In addition to spinal manipulations, chiropractors often use other techniques such as soft tissue therapy, exercise, and rehabilitation to help patients manage their low back pain. Soft tissue therapy involves the use of massage and stretching techniques to reduce muscle tension and spasms, improve circulation, and promote healing. Exercise and rehabilitation are designed to help patients regain strength, flexibility, and balance, all of which can help prevent further injury and reduce the likelihood of recurrent low back pain.
Chiropractors take a holistic approach to treating low back pain, which means they take into account the patient's overall health and lifestyle in order to develop an individualized treatment plan. For example, they may recommend lifestyle modifications such as changes to posture or exercise habits to help reduce the risk of low back pain. Chiropractors also work closely with their patients to monitor their progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plans as needed. In many cases, chiropractors can help individuals manage their low back pain without the need for invasive procedures or medication.
Chiropractic care is often sought out by those who are experiencing neck pain. The neck, also known as the cervical spine, is a delicate and complex area of the body that is responsible for supporting the head and allowing for a full range of motion. The neck is also home to many nerves that travel from the spinal cord to the rest of the body, making it vulnerable to injury and discomfort.
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to help alleviate neck pain, including spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and exercise therapy. Spinal manipulation involves the gentle adjustment of the neck vertebrae to restore proper alignment and improve mobility. Manual therapy involves the use of manual pressure to relieve tension and increase circulation. Exercise therapy may involve stretching and strengthening exercises to help improve neck strength and flexibility. In addition to these techniques, chiropractors may also provide patients with lifestyle modifications, such as ergonomic changes at work or at home, to help prevent future neck pain. By working with the patient to address the root cause of their neck pain, chiropractors can help improve overall health and well-being.
Chiropractors can help alleviate cervicogenic headaches through spinal manipulation and other techniques. Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originates from the neck, typically caused by tightness or tension in the muscles and joints in the upper neck. This tension can cause referred pain in the head, leading to headaches.
Chiropractors specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, including headaches caused by neck problems. They use a combination of manual adjustment techniques, including spinal manipulation, to restore normal movement and function to the neck and upper back. By removing any impediments to normal movement, chiropractors can help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by cervicogenic headaches.
In addition to spinal manipulation, chiropractors may also use other techniques such as trigger point therapy, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitation exercises to treat cervicogenic headaches. These techniques work together to alleviate tension and pain in the neck and upper back, helping to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Regular chiropractic care can help prevent recurrence of cervicogenic headaches, promoting long-term relief from neck pain and headaches.
Don't let pain hold you back! If you're experiencing low back pain, neck pain, headaches, muscle and joint pain, or stiffness, it's time to see a chiropractor. Our chiropractic clinic in Petaluma is staffed by a licensed and experienced chiropractor who can assess your body for imbalances and offer the right treatment to help you feel better. We take a holistic approach to chiropractic care and use a variety of techniques, including spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, and exercise, to help you manage your pain and improve your overall health. Don't wait any longer, schedule your appointment with us today and start feeling better!