Have you thought about seeing a chiropractor but never have because you either thought it was bogus or was afraid of being adjusted (the “crack”)? Or perhaps you thought one couldn’t possibly help you?
I will preface by saying that the word “chiropractic” is a blanket term. All chiropractors are different, some more than others, and can have a wide variety of specializations – not simply neck and back crackers!
5 Reasons To Try Out Chiropractic Care
1. Fix Joint And Muscle Pain Without Drugs Or Surgery
When out-of-nowhere you start to develop neck, back, shoulder, etc. pain what do you do first, honestly? Typically, you’d start in the medicine cabinet with Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen. If over-the-counter drugs (OTCs) and time don’t suffice, then it’s off to your family physician where they’ll prescribe a pain medication like a muscle relaxer and/or refer you out for an orthopedic consult.
At the orthopedist, you are likely to undergo some sort of imaging like X-ray, CT scan, or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Based on your images and an examination, one of two things will happen – either surgery or a Physical Therapy (PT) prescription.
What happens when surgery doesn’t work where it often doesn’t when the surgery is based on pain associated with “degeneration” and “arthritis”?
Why is PT prescribed after the much more invasive route of surgery is ruled out?
When assessed properly by a trusted conservative musculoskeletal care specialist, whether a chiropractor, physical therapist, athletic trainer, many muscle and joint problems can be resolved way before surgery is even an option. Seek conservative care first, then work your way to more invasive procedures when less invasive have been ruled out!
2. Manage Complicated Disorders
Remember when I said all chiropractors are different? Chiropractic schools have a wealth of nutrition credits in their programs, and some chiropractors take extra courses to become experts in nutrition and functional medicine.
Functional medicine – defined by the Institute for Functional Medicine, is a personalized, systems-oriented model that empowers patients and practitioners to achieve the highest expression of health by working in collaboration to address the underlying causes of disease.
Functional medicine or nutrition-focused chiropractors are able to diagnose and treat various problems such as autoimmune diseases, hormone dysfunction, digestive problems, and fibromyalgia, among others, which are often missed or not treated properly by mainstream medicine.
Through a comprehensive functional assessment process, functional medicine and nutrition-focused practitioners are able to diagnose and treat aforementioned complicated disorders by addressing dietary habits, lifestyle habits, and deficiencies via supplementation, all which are custom tailored to the individual.
3. Learn How To Prevent Future Problems
I see myself, more than anything, as an educator opposed to a “Dr. Fix it.” For every ‘what’ there is a ‘why’, and if the ‘why’ isn’t adequately addressed, a solution can never be found. I communicate with my patients on a daily basis, “no single therapy is powerful enough to mitigate what you subject your body to the other 23 and a half hours that you are not in my office”.
Why do I say this? Because it’s true! If we don’t work to change the behaviors and habits that got you here in the first place, how do you expect a real resolution without addressing the underlying cause; the ‘why’?
4. Enjoy A Healthier Lifestyle
As healthcare practitioners, a chiropractor’s goal with his patients is not sick-care but health-care – what does this mean, exactly? Like in point number three, we are educators, and as educators, we teach individuals how to fish opposed to giving them a fish.
Commonly, chiropractors practice with a “holistic” approach meaning we view the individual as a whole, identifying and treating more than physical symptoms. By employing a combination of physical treatments, workplace ergonomics, postural education, nutritional interventions, lifestyle advice, and other strategies (practitioner dependent), chiropractic is more than making bones make noise – it’s about thriving, not just surviving.
5. Perform Better
We talked about how there are many flavors of chiropractic, and it’s more than just making noise to put a band-aid on back and neck pain. Did you know that chiropractic combined with rehabilitation and strength and conditioning principles, treatments can improve your physical function as well as symptoms relief?
If you gain more strength and mobility would that benefit you regarding sport? Considering sports are games of seconds and inches, I think it’s a safe bet to say, “yes”.
We put our bodies through daily wear and tear. Periodic treatment from a well-qualified chiropractor or physical therapist will help keep your body optimized and even improve your ability to perform and progress in your training programs by optimizing the body’s ability to function at it’s best.
