Patients choose to visit a chiropractor for different reasons. Chiropractors can help with more than just an achy back or a stiff neck—here are some other reasons to see a chiropractor:
A Chiropractor Can Offer Safe, Drug-Free Care
Chiropractors use safe, effective treatments that do not involve drugs or surgery. Through manual therapy and other natural treatments, chiropractors help ease pain without using over-the-counter or prescription medications. This reduces the risks of side effects, overdose, substance abuse and dependency. It might also spare you the expense of a high-cost medication.
A Chiropractor Can Deliver Effective Care
Every year, about one out of four people visit a chiropractor for treatment of neck and/or back pain. Chiropractic care, and spinal manipulation (adjusting) in particular, is an excellent first-line treatment for back pain, and three out of four patients who saw a chiropractor reported that chiropractic care was “very effective.” For back pain treatments, chiropractors are the top-rated health care professionals. Chiropractic care has also been shown to be effective in treating headaches and a variety of other conditions.
A Chiropractor Can Get You Moving and Keep You Moving
If you ever wake up in the morning feeling stiff, achy or like you “slept wrong,” or if you feel tension from working in the same seated or standing position every day, consider visiting a chiropractor. Chiropractors can evaluate your muscles and joints and correct an imbalance or dysfunction. Those corrections over time will help keep your body moving the way it was intended to move and will keep the stiffness and achiness away.
Many chiropractors are also educated in at-home exercise and stretching techniques to keep you moving between chiropractic visits. We often find that the combination of treatment in the office and some gentle at-home care really keeps patients moving and feeling well every day.
A Chiropractor Can Evaluate Your Posture and Your Risk for Overuse/Repetitive Motion Injury
Many people spend their days sitting at a desk, working on a computer or standing for long periods of time. These positions over time can lead to poor posture, and poor posture can lead to pain and dysfunction later on. In addition to evaluating your posture, it is also important to evaluate your risk for overuse/repetitive motion injury. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common overuse/repetitive motion injury, but there are many other types as well. Have you heard of “Text Neck”? Chiropractors are seeing a lot of this type of overuse injury now, which is the result of looking down at a handheld device for extended periods of time. Let a chiropractor know about your work habits and use of electronics to make sure you aren't at risk for an overuse or repetitive motion injury.
There are many reasons to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is an excellent first-line treatment for individuals who wish to take a natural approach to restoring and maintaining their health. For overall wellness, regular chiropractic visits can help keep your body functioning as it was meant to and play an important role in preventing future injury and pain.