Reviving Your Well-Being: Chiropractic Medical Treatment

Chiropractors are trained to manipulate your spine and other body parts to help get them in the right position, or alignment. This is based on the idea that when your body is in proper alignment, it heals itself more effectively.

They use hands-on manipulations to realign your joints, reduce pain and discomfort, and improve function and mobility. They may also prescribe soft-tissue therapy, emergency chiropractor Melbourne exercise and stretches, joint bracing (Kinesio taping), heat or cold therapies and referrals to integrative medicine experts.

What is a Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats patients whose health problems are associated with the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems. Chiropractors are best known for their hands-on technique that uses manipulation to adjust imbalances in the skeletal system, particularly the spine. They are based on the principle that when your body is in proper alignment, it can heal itself.

Unlike medical doctors, chiropractors believe that the human body has an inherent capacity to get well and stay healthy. They do not view drugs and medicine as the answer to any health problem.

A typical visit to a chiropractor will start with an assessment that includes a patient’s full health history. A physical exam will be conducted, including tests of muscle strength and arm and leg mobility. In addition, the chiropractor will take a look at your posture and may order diagnostic imaging. The doctor of chiropractic will then use a variety of techniques to manipulate the spine and joints.

How does a Chiropractor treat me?

Chiropractic is a hands-on practice that typically involves manual manipulation of the vertebrae in your spine and other joints. This is called ‘adjustments’ and helps make sure your body’s bones are aligned properly, a state known as “alignment.” Adjustments help improve the function of the central nervous system, which connects your brain to all other parts of your body.

Chiropractors also work with soft tissues, such as muscles and ligaments. This can be helpful with injuries like whiplash or other soft tissue injuries. This can include massage therapy, joint mobilization and kinesio taping.

Chiropractors have shown that they can reduce pain and improve movement for many conditions, including back and neck pain, headaches, arthritis and joint stiffness. They can be useful in treating a wide range of issues, from sports injuries to digestive problems, and women’s health concerns like premenstrual pain and low mood. They are not normally available on the NHS and most people who see a chiropractor pay for their treatment privately.

What is the cost of Chiropractic Medical Treatment?

Once a much maligned practice, chiropractic has become well-recognized as a valuable health care field and is now covered by most medical insurance plans, including Medicare. Chiropractic services are also regulated by state licensing boards, just like allopathic doctors (M.D.) and osteopathic doctors (D.O.). A 2020 study found that spinal manipulation lowers neck pain in the short term by altering levels of neuropeptides, proteins that function as neurotransmitters or hormones. Some chiropractic practices offer sessions in packages, allowing patients to pay up front and save money.

How often should I go to a Chiropractor?

Like any other aspect of healthy living, it takes consistency to truly feel the benefits. This is especially true of Chiropractic Care.

Visiting the chiropractor regularly will help you maintain your spine’s healthy curves, improve mobility and eliminate pain. This will also help you prevent new issues from developing. Depending on your needs and schedule, a Chiropractor may recommend you visit them weekly or every other week, or even monthly.

It is common for patients with acute injuries to visit a chiropractor aggressively at first – 2-3x a week for the initial 3-5 weeks or 6-12 weeks, in order to ensure their recovery is quick and they are able to move without pain. After that, they will begin to wean their appointments until a maintenance type of schedule is reached.

Patients who visit a Chiropractor for wellness or maintenance purposes are generally trying to minimize future aches and pains and keep their body feeling as healthy as possible. They will typically visit on a routine basis – maybe biweekly, monthly or quarterly.