Whether you were in a car accident or are looking for relief from chronic neck and back pain or another condition, you may decide it’s time to see a chiropractor. But, when you start hearing terms like “spinal manipulation” you may think it’s going to be a painful and uncomfortable experience. But, if you ask, do chiropractic adjustments hurt? The simple answer is no. It’s actually quite the opposite because chiropractors can actually help you feel better in ways that medications and other therapies can’t. Let’s take a look at what chiropractors can do to ease your pain and how they help improve your overall health.
What do chiropractors do?
By definition, a chiropractor is a licensed health professional that focuses on diagnosing and teating neuromuscular disorders. They focus on treatment through manual adjustment or manipulation of the spine. Spinal manipulation sounds scary to some, raising the question, do chiropractors hurt?
Spinal adjustments are highly skilled and precise movements aimed at loosening joints and helping to restore proper movement. Many times our backs become misaligned for one reason or another. Spinal adjustments can correct those misalignments so we start feeling great again.
When you first visit a chiropractor, you will undergo a medical exam so the right course of treatment can be prepared. Depending on your pain and condition, a chiropractor can either adjust your spine manually or by using an adjuster tool. Both methods are very effective in treating several issues relating to the back and neck. Many times, patients begin to start feeling better after just a few visits.
Do chiropractic treatments hurt?
If a chiropractic treatment is going to be classified as successful, then it should bring relief while reducing pain, not cause it. Chiropractic treatments shouldn’t hurt. Since treatment will be tailored to your needs and condition, the goal of spinal adjustments is to:
- Restore range of motion
- Reduce inflammation
- Make your body feel great
Just as your muscles can be sore after a workout, some patients do report a mild soreness after an adjustment that goes away quickly. Even when that mild soreness is reported, all patients enjoy the release of endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals that make you feel good when they are released. That’s why they’re often referred to as “nature’s painkillers”.
Do chiropractors do more than spinal adjustments?
While spinal adjustments are a big part of chiropractic care, that is not all that chiropractors do. They can also implement other therapies and recommend other therapies to help the patient feel better.
- Hot and cold therapies
Your chiropractor may alternate between using heat and ice therapy to relieve back pain. Typically ice packs can be used to numb the back following by the use of a heating pad, heat wrap, or hot water bottle to restore blood flow to the area. This helps to promote faster healing.
- Exercise
Movements to stretch and strengthen the back are often recommended to improve flexibility and help with blood flow.
- Massage
Your chiropractor may massage soft tissues to reduce swelling and inflammation that comes with back pain. This also improves circulation and helps speed up the healing process.
- Diet Recommendations
Some chiropractors will recommend an improved diet to help patients with their back pain. At times, dietary supplements may also be recommended.
Other Chiropractic Therapies
- Ultrasound
Sound waves help to create deep heat therapy that can be applied to the soft tissues and joints. This can help to reduce back pain, stiffness, spasms, and increase blood flow.
- Diathermy
This is a form of shortwave, electromagnetic therapy that passes the softer tissues to get to the denser tissues with heat. It relaxes the muscles and connective tissues to decrease muscle spasms and speeds up the healing process. Patients typically like this type of therapy because it is warm and relaxing.
- Hydrotherapy
Chiropractors can use hydrotherapy to reduce the sensitivity of back pain by numbing the pain with coldness and using hot stimuli to promote faster healing and increased blood flow.
A chiropractor will place electrodes on the skin that send light electrical pulsed to different areas of the body. This will reduce inflammation, relieve back pain, and help to control muscle spasms.
- Pelvic stabilization
If back pain is related to a leg-length deficiency or flat fleet, the chiropractor may place a small heel lift inside the shoe of the shorter leg to help stabilize the pelvis and relieve back pain. Sometimes, corrective arch supports are also recommended.
These are just some of the different therapies a chiropractor may try instead of spinal manipulation or in addition to it. Many times a variety of therapies are introduced to produce the best and fastest results for the patient.
What are the benefits of seeing a chiropractor?
When you seek chiropractic care, you’re not only getting relief from the back or neck pain that brought you to the office, but you are helping to improve your overall health. When your back is not working well, other ligaments and joints in your body don’t function well either. Misalignment can put pressure on your nerves, resulting in pain, tingling, and numbness. It can also lead to headaches and digestive problems. By seeing a chiropractor, you can get relief from many ailments.
When you visit The Family Chiropractic Clinic, one of our licensed chiropractors will assess your pain and condition to develop a treatment plan customized to your needs. We have the experience to treat your pain to get you feeling like yourself again.
