Chiropractic care is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal mechanical disorders, especially those of the spine.
According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA), almost one-third of Canadians suffer from back pain that limits their range of movement and daily activity. More than 4.5 million Canadians seek chiropractic care each year to get rid of back pain and neck pain problems.
This is the second most common reason in Canada, due to which 41% of affected people are absent from their work. This scenario as a whole is not only affecting the individual but also having a bad social and economic impact on the country.
Chiropractic care is one of the pain management systems most Canadians are looking at as alternatives to medication, especially for back pain and neck pain.
In this article, we will outline the main points of chiropractic care and how it can benefit you.
What Is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal mechanical disorders, especially those of the spine. It is based on the idea that the body has a self-healing capacity and that spinal misalignments or other joint disorders can interfere with this capacity.
Chiropractic care involves different forms of spinal manipulation known as adjustments. The trained specialists (chiropractors) use their hands or small instruments to apply a controlled, sudden force to the spinal column and other joints. This adjustment aims to restore proper alignment and mobility to the spine, joints, and musculoskeletal system.
As the main focus of this therapy is spinal manipulation, it may also include other treatments like postural exercises, ergonomic training, manipulative therapies, or patient education. Along with the spine, it can also heal the pain in other parts of the body. Shoulders, elbows, hips, pelvis, and knees may greatly benefit from this.
How Does Chiropractic Care Work?
The chiropractic care approach is similar to that used in conventional medicine in many ways. On your first visit, the chiropractor may ask about your health history and perform a physical examination.
Physical Examination And Other Tests
- Chiropractors may examine how you walk to find inconsistencies between the pelvis and spine
- You may be asked to bend in different positions to check muscle stiffness and flexibility.
- You may be asked to stand and sit in different positions to check the posture of the body.
- You may be asked to flex and bend the knee and hip while lying down to check the hip joint’s mobility.
- You may be asked to raise one leg at a time with the knee locked to assess sciatic nerve tension and irritation, as well as hamstring muscle flexibility.
There may be several other physical examinations, depending on individual requirements. Also, if required, the chiropractor may ask for other tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, blood tests, urinal tests, bilateral assessments of body weight, hand grip tests, reflexes, sensations, or muscle trigger point tests.
Chiropractic Adjustment
During the chiropractic adjustment, you may be positioned on a chiropractic table with your face lying down. The chiropractor may use their hands or small instruments to apply a controlled, sudden force to the spinal column and other joints. You may hear a popping sound during this adjustment.
It may involve some other stretching exercises too. Some individuals may require electrical stimulation, heat and ice, and other relaxation techniques. Chiropractors may also develop a special diet plan as per the body’s requirements. The goal of this whole process is to improve joint motion, function, and pain relief.
Benefits Of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care isn’t just about spinal manipulation; it can benefit other parts of the body as well. We’ve outlined some of the surprising benefits you start to experience when a chiropractor corrects your body’s biomechanical dysfunctions. Chiropractic Care may;
- Improve Neck pain
- Reduce Back Pain
- Improve Posture
- Reduce Blood Pressure
- Ease Headache Symptoms
- Reduce Inflammation
- Reduces Scoliosis Symptoms
- Reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms
Conditions That Can Be Treated
This therapy treats various spinal and joint disorders that cause musculoskeletal or nerve pain. There are many conditions that can be treated by chiropractic care, a few of them are listed below;
- Back Sprains and Strains
- Sciatica
- Spinal Osteoarthritis
- Cervicogenic Headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc
- Myofascial pain
- Spondylosis
Does Chiropractic Care Hurt?
Popping and cracking sounds during adjustment may sound painful, but it doesn’t feel painful. Similar to how you might feel after working out, chiropractic adjustments cause little to no pain while being performed. Your joints will feel the controlled force (pressure) from a chiropractor, which may result in a popping or cracking sound.
Why Is There a Popping or Cracking Sound During a Chiropractic Adjustment?
During a chiropractic adjustment, you may hear a popping or cracking sound. These are the gases that are released from your joints. Gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen get trapped in small cavities of your joints while moving and stretching, which are released during Chiropractic adjustment. It is a common misconception that this cracking and popping sound is from the bones, while it is just the sound of gas released.
Effects After Chiropractic Adjustment?
You may experience very slight aches or mild soreness in the areas of your body that the chiropractor worked on. Mild headaches could occur in certain people. These negative effects are temporary. Those who routinely visit a chiropractor rarely experience this discomfort, which often disappears within 24 hours. Your chiropractor may suggest some assignments for you to complete after your visit. These might include;
- Stretches and Exercises.
- Icing or heat therapy.
- Electrical muscle stimulation using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators.
- Nutrition, diet, or weight plan.
- Plan to manage Stress.
In some rare cases, this may cause serious complications such as Herniated disks, Pinched nerves, and Stroke.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care can be effective in treating musculoskeletal and joint disorders, similar to the results of more-conventional treatments. Not everyone responds to chiropractic adjustments and it depends on your health conditions. You should always consult your doctor for recommendations. Chiropractic care should be performed by a licensed and experienced chiropractor.
Araya Health takes pride in fulfilling all criteria for the best chiropractic care service in Scarborough and Toronto. To book an appointment in Scarborough and Toronto with one of our skilled chiropractors, just contact us at;
3660 Midland Ave Suite 104 M1V 0b8, Toronto, Ontario
info@arayahealth.com
(647) 680-8791
