When Should You See A Chiropractor?

Many people visit chiropractors for back and hip pain, but they can help with multiple musculoskeletal issues. The practice helps remove pain and act as preventative care to stop pain and problems in their tracts. Find out if a chiropractor can help you with your chronic pain issues and get you back to living life comfortably. 

When should I see a chiropractor?

Chiropractic care refers to hands-on joint manipulations used to reduce pain and improve the functionality of patients. The therapy focuses on the biomechanical and structural misarrangement of the spine and how it affects the nervous system. Chiropractors can restore the spine’s structural integrity while reducing pressure on sensitive neurological tissue and thereby improve the patient’s health. 

Daily life puts a strain on our bodies and can cause various pains, as can injuries, accidents, illness, and long-term conditions. Chiropractic care works to address the underlying causes of pain instead of only covering the symptoms. If you suffer from pain that can stem from the spine or where other treatments have not been effective, then chiropractic treatment may help you. 

A chiropractor can help with headaches, sleep, pregnancy discomforts, stress, joint pain, and much more. Also, chiropractors can assist with chronic pain, inflammation, scoliosis, kyphosis, and sciatica. Anyone with any of these issues should consider consulting a chiropractor to see if they can help ease pain and discomfort. Alternative medicine may even be able to replace medications and help to lower medical care costs. 

What are some signs that I need to see a chiropractor?

A visit with a chiropractor can dramatically improve physical and emotional health and well-being. They can prevent chronic and even short-term problems from causing more pain and even help to fix problems at the root. If you have chronic headaches with no known cause and have ruled out other problems, then a chiropractor can help find if the headaches stem from a misalignment of the neck or spine. 

Also, chiropractors can help with joint and muscle pain or stiffness, which could be a musculoskeletal alignment issue. Another sign you should visit your chiropractor is if your job requires you to sit or stand for long periods of time, especially if you hunch over or have bad posture. Furthermore, see the chiropractor if you are dealing with chronic back or neck pain, joint pain,  limited range of motion, were in an accident recently, or simply want to be as healthy as possible. A sharp shooting pain can on occasion indicate a pinched nerve or a slipped disc, or something more serious.

Active people who work out often stand to benefit from a visit to the chiropractor as well to ensure all of your body reacts well to exercise. Particularly pay attention to your shoes. If the soles of your shoes are wearing out differently, it could be a sign you need an adjustment. The uneven wear can indicate a subluxation in the spine that requires a realignment to prevent further damage. Think of this as a tire rotation for an unbalanced car, and you will understand the necessity. 

Next, if you experience chronic sinus congestion, a chiropractor may be able to help you by making adjustments to easy throat and sinus passages. Pregnant women can benefit from the aches and pains of pregnancy with chiropractic care to help with proper alignment and reduce nervous system interference, along with lumbar nerves. Removing these interferences have even been shown to help with infertility for some people as well. 

Do you need a reason to go to a chiropractor? 

You do not need a reason to go to a chiropractor to help with general health and lifestyle. Moreover, visiting your chiropractor can help prevent problems and save you time, pain, and money. Preventative care is one of the best reasons to seek chiropractic therapy, especially if you wish to avoid pain. 

Visiting a chiropractor at a young age can reduce problems in years to come by preventing back and joint issues and misalignment problems that can affect daily life. In addition, chiropractors can look at the spinal column to determine any pressing health problems that you may not realize exist and prevent them from causing you pain or prevent future issues that can cause your body not to operate correctly. 

How do you know if you need a spinal adjustment?

The spine is a column of bones called a vertebra that starts at the skull and descends to the pelvis. Your spine holds up your entire body and keeps your organs and bones in place. A single misalignment can affect multiple body parts and functions. If you are experiencing chronic headaches or pain in your neck, knee, or hip. Excessive fatigue or numbness in the hands or feet could be a symptom that you need a spinal adjustment as well. 

Spinal issues can show up as joint stiffness, reduced range of motion, reduced mobility, sciatica, or even respiratory issues. A visit with the chiropractor will let you know if you need an adjustment and help to stop pain and discomfort. However, you may need more than a single appointment to fix the issue and may need to see the chiropractor over the course of several months to correct the problem. 

When should I see a chiropractor for hip pain?

Chiropractors can use a variety of techniques to help the hip and reduce pain or discomfort. First, they can make manual adjustments to find and fix the problem. Next, they can give you exercises to help prevent problems and reduce pain. Additionally, chiropractors have other therapies at their disposal, including electrotherapy, ultrasound, cold laser, and massage for muscle knots. 

However, spinal manipulation or adjustments are the most common treatment to restore joint mobility. The chiropractor will apply manual pressure with controlled force to the joint for a painless, in-office procedure to restore your hip joint. Along with gravity, the treatment works to open the joint and relieve pain. Do not wait to see a doctor and/or a chiropractor if you experience hip pain, as your entire life will be affected by limited mobility. 

When should I see a chiropractor for back pain?

One of the most chronic treatments chiropractors perform are adjustments for lower back pain. They can also treat upper and middle back pain as well and reduce discomfort. It’s definitely time to see your chiropractor if the pain stems from hard tissues rather than soft muscular tissue, as this could be spine-related. 

Another reason for a chiropractic appointment is if you suspect a pinched nerve or slipped disc, as these are structural components that cannot be fixed by massage. 

If the pain includes unexpected symptoms like swelling, redness, neck pain, or tingling, get in an appointment as soon as possible. Finally, see your chiropractor if you have tried other forms of therapy without success. If massage, heat, doctors, and medicines have not been able to help, then visit your chiropractor and get relief!

When should I see a chiropractor vs. a physiotherapist?

Chiropractic care and physiotherapy complement each other and can work in tandem to help you live pain-free. However, they share a few similarities and several differences. Both are knowledgeable about the musculoskeletal systems and work to improve mobility, decrease pain, and help patients return to full function. 

Physiotherapists work with their hands to help patients heal by using exercise, stretching, and other mobilization techniques. Essentially, they are movement experts, and they help you learn how to move properly to prevent issues. Chiropractors focus on neuromuscular disorders and help to restore and realign the body caused by misaligned vertebrae. 

If possible, it’s best to see a chiropractor that specializes in physiotherapy as well. Often, adjustments paired with physical rehab and strength exercises lead to the best patient outcomes. 

Why choose Portland Wellness Care for chiropractic?

Portland Wellness Care incorporates a variety of treatment options to help patients with both western and eastern therapies. We have several medical specialists on staff, including a chiropractor, to help manage back pain and other issues. Furthermore, we also can help with complementing therapies such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, and medical massage if needed. Schedule an appointment today to find out if chiropractic care is the best option for you.

Conclusion

Chiropractic care offers a unique therapy focused on the musculoskeletal system. The therapy can prevent problems and treat pain while reducing the need for medicines and other complicated and expensive options. Visit Portland Wellness Care and start managing your pain with chiropractic care and several other complementing therapies ready to make your life pain-free.