Have you ever been curious about chiropractic care? There are many myths and misconceptions about chiropractors, and this has led to many people doubting their legitimacy and if chiropractic care even works.
But the reality is many people turn to chiropractors to feel better in their everyday life, and some even choose them over doctors or other medical care as they see it as a positive alternative. But what do chiropractors do, specifically? You’d be surprised at how many injuries and conditions that can be addressed.
Before researching for a “chiropractor near me”, it’s important to have a complete understanding of their list of services and offerings. They may be able to address your specific needs depending on your condition, or you may have to turn to other means of care for help.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the services offered by chiropractors, as well as break down some misconceptions about the practice, and talk about the benefits and potential drawbacks of chiropractic care.
Who is chiropractor, What exactly does a chiropractor do?
Chiropractor is a trainer healthcare professional, they make sure that body is physically optimal as best as possible, they use non surgical treatments and practices to treat patients.
How Popular Is Chiropractic Care?
According to the American Chiropractic Association, it is estimated that chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans (adults and children) annually.
That’s a significant number of people. Because of the versatility of their services, many people with different ailments and injuries can benefit from what a chiropractor can offer. But despite these numbers, there are still many who are skeptical about chiropractic care. This blog aims to open their minds a bit.
Who Can Chiropractors Treat?
Most people think of chiropractors ignorantly as pressure point wizards or someone who just knows how to crack your back, but they really can treat a variety of different issues. With chiropractic adjustments, a patient’s body can be realigned or manipulated to improve issues that sprout from injuries, standing all day, slouching, or if you have chronic issues.
If you’re experiencing any of the following ailments, a chiropractor can provide relief:
- Headaches and migraines
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Upper body injuries
- Lower body injuries
- Muscle aches or spasms
- Whiplash
- Vertigo
- And more
Below we break down some of the most popular services chiropractic care aims to address:
- Spinal manipulation: If your spine is misaligned, you’ll likely be in constant pain and discomfort, and might need an alignment. You’d be surprised at how often this happens across many different people.
- Chronic pain: Chronic pain could impact several different people depending on their condition.
- Sports-related injuries: Chiropractors can help you get back on the court or field after suffering an injury in your sport. Usually, these are muscle or ligament injuries.
- Car accidents: Depending on the severity of your car accident, chiropractors can help you recover from short- or long-term injuries.
- Sciatica pain: Sciatica is a condition in which pain travels down the sciatic nerve from the lower back to one or both legs.
- Acupuncture treatment: Some chiropractors offer acupuncture treatment as well if they think it will help your specific issue.
- Massage therapy: Massage therapy can help after a chiropractic adjustment or injury to coax the muscles into relaxation or cool down after treatment.
- Therapy and rehabilitation: Long term therapy options and rehabilitation methods are offered for long-term injury treatments.
- And more
What Should I Expect At My First Chiropractic Appointment?
Your first appointment with a chiropractor will likely begin with a lot of talking. To get a comprehensive idea of what specific issues you’re facing, your chiropractor will provide a consultation where they ask several questions and walk you through simple exercises, such as:
- Walking
- Stretching
- Bending
- Exercises
- Applying heat or ice
- And more
While some patients will feel enormous relief after just one appointment, the specific situation will determine how long your road to recovery will be with chiropractic care. Some patients see a chiropractor monthly, weekly for six weeks, or several times a year. Every situation is different, and so is every approach to treatment. But generally, your first appointment will be introductory and will involve lots of discussion about how to proceed and what options are available to you in your specific situation.
What Misconceptions About Chiropractic Care Exist?
There’s a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation out there about chiropractors and what they can offer. These are largely based on ignorance, but they may impact how you think about chiropractic care and could dissuade you from pursuing it. Some of the more popular misconceptions about the practice are outlined below.
- Chiropractors aren’t real doctors: This is false. Just because they are not medical doctors doesn’t mean they aren’t doctors. Chiropractors are required to earn a doctorate degree in chiropractic from an accredited university. Chiropractors can also become licensed as primary care doctors.
- Chiropractors are a scam: This is also false. While chiropractor care might take longer and provide less tangible results compared to having surgery or another procedure, the work they are doing is real and beneficial for many people dealing with pain or other issues.
- You’ll be stuck once you start: Also false. You don’t have to sign up for a long-term care plan, and you only have to pay per appointment. If you think it will be beneficial, you can keep going. If not, you can pursue other care options.
- Chiropractic care is painful: This is not true. If your situation is serious and you’re already dealing with pain, you likely won’t feel immediate relief and your road to recovery could involve pain or discomfort. However, many people report feeling better directly after a chiropractic appointment. Your appointment should not cause you pain or discomfort unless you take on serious treatment options. Even then, chiropractors work to relieve pain, not induce it.
Conclusion – What Do Chiropractors Do?
Chiropractors handle a wide range of injuries and ailments through spinal manipulations, chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, specific stretches and exercises, and more. They aim to provide relief for chronic pain, or injuries sustained from car accidents, slip and fall accidents, sports-related injuries, and more.
They are real doctors and have years of training and experience in providing non-invasive and holistic treatment for their patients. It may not be everyone, but it does help a lot of people find relief and improve their daily quality of life.
