7 Conditions That Can Benefit from Chiropractic Care
The classic image of a chiropractor is the typical “bonesetter,” who treats backs, necks, and other musculoskeletal issues only. What many don’t know is that these healthcare experts can treat a variety of medical conditions.
1. Low Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common types of pain Americans suffer from. Studies have shown that as many as 80 percent of the population will experience it at some point.
For many, it can be moderate to severe resulting in over 260 million lost work days annually. It is also one of the leading causes of disability globally, according to a Lancet study.
Pain in the lower back can be debilitating. If it is severe, the pain can interfere with everything from bathing and dressing to sleeping and lifting. This condition can also result in anxiety or depression if left untreated.
Figuring out the cause of the pain is important, and a chiropractor may be able to help treat it by adjusting your spine. Chiropractors also use a combination of hands-on care, soft tissue techniques, and exercise therapy to treat low back pain.
Overall, chiropractic care is one of the low-cost effective treatments for people with low back pain, especially during the early stages of the health problem and compared to physical therapy.
In a 2020 research, it was almost $50 cheaper than physical therapy, while those who underwent chiropractic treatment had higher daily adjusted life years than those who opted for conventional physical therapy.
2. Nerve-Related Pain or Conditions
Chiropractors have a reputation for helping with back pain. But they can also treat other types of nerve-related problems, such as:
- Neuralgia – a chronic pain condition involving damage or irritation to the nerves
- Sciatica – a pain that shoots down the leg often due to compression of the sciatic nerve.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome – a painful wrist and hand condition caused by pressure on the nerve in the carpal tunnel.
- Tingling or numbness – a neurological symptom associated with pinched nerves, herniated discs, cervical degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.
- Meniere’s disease – a condition that causes episodes of vertigo and ringing in the ear.
Spinal manipulation has been found effective in treating or managing these conditions. It releases pressure on the nerves and adjusts the alignment of the spine to create optimal nerve function.
3. Headaches and Migraines
Chiropractors treat many cases of head and neck pain. They believe that misalignments in the spine (called subluxations) can cause traumas or irritation to nerve roots (like those for the headache).
Treating these misalignments with chiropractic adjustments has been shown to alleviate headaches and migraines and reduce the frequency and severity of these headaches over time.
One research found that chiropractic care was an effective treatment for people with episodic and chronic migraine. Spinal manipulation is also recommended for those with a cervicogenic headache, a chronic type of headache that usually affects the upper region of the cervical joints.
4. Sports Injuries
Regardless of your age, if you’re a recreational or an avid athlete, chances are that you’ve experienced some sort of sports injury during your lifetime.
Chiropractors can help treat a wide range of sports injuries, especially back and spine injuries by placing the athlete in a spinal traction machine. Once the spine is out of alignment, other parts of the body are negatively affected as well. Sports injuries can be complex, but chiropractors have years of training to help achieve the best results possible whether you’re an injured athlete or not.
5. Respiratory Problems
Chiropractors may not be the first professionals you would turn to if you are struggling with respiratory problems. But it’s possible that they can help. Spinal manipulation, in particular, promotes better breathing.
They provide care for patients of all ages, including infants and children, who have conditions like asthma, allergies, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, and other respiratory issues. Spinal manipulation techniques could also be helpful to those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
Chiropractic treatment is also useful for recovering from respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, and swine flu, especially if you’re experiencing pain or difficulty breathing. Of course if you are having sudden changes, we recommend calling 911 immediately.
6. Whiplash Injury
What is a whiplash injury? Whiplash injuries can occur at a moment’s notice. They typically happen when the neck and head are stretched abruptly, such as in a car accident.
Whiplash injury can lead to pain all over the body, but it usually occurs in the neck and shoulders. It could also result in headaches or migraines. There may also be tingling and discomfort in the arms, hands, legs, and feet.
Chiropractors can help heal a whiplash injury by manipulating the spine to reduce pressure on nerves as well as other joints. Chiropractors also offer exercise and stretching programs that help strengthen the muscles used in your neck movements.
Chiropractors have been treating whiplash injuries for many years. In fact, they are considered the primary treatment providers by some insurance companies. In many cases, chiropractic care works better than pain medications or physical therapy alone.
7. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It usually affects adults after age 50. The two most commonly affected joints are in the hands and spine, although osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the knees, hips, feet, back, neck, and shoulders.
The cause of osteoarthritis is not known. But it’s believed that disease or damage to the joint surfaces, a genetic predisposition for bone and joint problems, and age increase your risk for osteoarthritis.
In addition to conventional treatments like physical therapy, pain relievers, and steroid injections, chiropractors offer an alternative treatment option that can help reduce inflammation and ease joint pain.
Chiropractic adjustments correct the alignment of the spine and joints, thus improving the range of motion in your neck, back, hands, knees, feet, elbows, shoulders, hips, and other affected areas.
Pain and other types of health problems or symptoms can significantly reduce your quality of life, which you don’t deserve. If you have any of the conditions above, consider seeing a chiropractor for a proper evaluation.
In the Cache Valley area, Logan Chiropractors is one of the leading clinics that have been helping patients for many years. We offer safe and effective chiropractic treatment, as well as personalized attention to our patients for these conditions and dozens of others as well.
To learn more about Logan Chiropractors, call 435-563-6363 or click here to schedule an appointment today.