Chiropractic Care Benefits

Chiropractors are often thought of as the medical field that specifically deals with issues surrounding your back, or more specifically, your spine. While they certainly focus on your spine, chiropractors are essentially joint and nerve specialists. And since all your nerves travel from your brain and through the spinal column, if there is a disruption in any part of the spine, it can significantly affect your ability to function normally.

If you are experiencing headaches, back pain, digestion issues, or other joint pain, you may be an ideal candidate for chiropractic care. Many patients who have had these issues for years have not yet considered visiting a chiropractor to review their case. Your back, neck, and spine are responsible for maintaining our overall posture. Besides bad posture, poor spine health also has the potential to cause problems that may not seem directly related to the spinal column.

With all the messages that your brain sends through the spinal cord, it should not be a surprise that chiropractic care can offer benefits to several aspects of your life. Below, we have compiled a list of just some of the benefits of chiropractic care.

High Blood Pressure 

If you’re faced with high blood pressure, it can be overwhelming to think about adding a medication that has several serious side effects into your daily routine. These side effects include fatigue, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, and weight loss. Recently, a study has found that just one chiropractic adjustment could result in the same benefits as medications that are specifically designed to lower your blood pressure, and that the effects of that adjustment could last for as long as six months. If an adjustment can offer the same results as the medications, but without the daunting side effects, it may be the right time to book an appointment with your chiropractor.

Low Blood Pressure 

Patients who have been diagnosed with hypotension have also been keen to receive chiropractic adjustments to help their blood pressure. Researchers believe that proper spine health helps to promote homeostasis within the body. This helps our bodies regulate proper chemical levels and physical responses because the nervous system is able to freely communicate between the body and the brain.

Neck & Lower Back Pain 

It probably isn’t a surprise that chiropractic care helps with pain in the neck and back. However, some studies suggest that 80% of Americans experience some sort of lower back pain in their lives. With costly surgeries, addictive pain medications and mixed levels of relief, chiropractic is another option that many people just don’t consider. Chiropractic care can help to correct many issues without invasive procedures or prescription medications and may be a viable alternative for your neck and back issues.

Headaches & Migraines 

The cause of both tension and migraine headaches can often be traced to the muscles in your back being injured or strained. When this type of pain occurs, many patients suggest taking pain medication to manage the immediate discomfort. However, if these headaches are caused by muscle strain related to issues with your spine, a chiropractic adjustment can help. An adjustment works to relieve muscle tension and could reduce the frequency and intensity of your headaches. Headaches associated with back pain are one of the most common reasons that people visit a chiropractor.

Spinal issues or back misalignment can also create a strain on your muscles as they attempt to compensate. This additional strain can trigger tension and migraine headaches. Chiropractic adjustments can help to align the back and in turn, the muscles can relax, and prevent future headaches. In fact, there are over 200 studies that confirm these results!

Scoliosis 

Scoliosis is a medical condition that causes the spine to abnormally curve. This change in posture can cause issues with pain, breathing, and an overall reduction in your range of motion. While the treatment options are limited for people who have been diagnosed with scoliosis, chiropractic care is generally a great alternative. When chiropractic care is combined with physical therapy, it has been shown to slow the progression of the disease while improving a patient’s quality of life.

Sciatica 

Sciatic pain is caused by an issue in the sciatic nerve that travels down to your legs. Any problems that impair the nerve's ability to function can result in pain in one or both legs. This pain can be so debilitating that it sometimes leads to an over-prescription or addiction to certain pain medications. Chiropractic care works to help reduce the pressure that is placed on the sciatic nerve. Studies have shown that when patients visit their chiropractor to receive care, there was a reduction in the number of days that they experienced pain as well as a reduction in their pain severity.

Neurological Conditions 

Neurological conditions can be caused by a wide variety of reasons. Chiropractic care for these conditions can help to increase both blood and cerebrospinal fluid which, in turn, delivers more oxygen to and removes waste from the skull, allowing the brain to have an increased ability to heal and function properly.

Acid Reflux 

Studies have recently found that chiropractic patients often find relief of their symptoms associated with acid reflux in just a few appointments. Even children who experience acid reflux have seen that within four treatments, there has been a significant reduction in their symptoms.

While it may not seem like chiropractic adjustment would help acid reflux, it is essential to recognize the nervous system’s role in intestinal health. The gut is lined with nerves that help to process nutrition. Issues that occur which are related to these nerves being able to communicate with the brain, are often found in the spine.  A properly aligned spine helps to reduce or eliminate issues with nervous system responses, resulting in effective digestive processes.

Ear Infections 

Along the same lines as acid reflux, our ears are also linked through our spinal system. Our ability to fight an ear infection can be hindered by compromised spine health. Patients that experience frequent ear infections have found that chiropractic adjustments can reduce or eliminate the frequency or duration of ear infections.

Surgery Prevention 

Patients who have experienced severe or moderate back pain are typically open to a wide range of options to help reduce their discomfort. It should be no surprise that as medications or other therapies fall short of their expectations, a consultation with a surgeon is often the next step.Reviewing your case with a chiropractor can postpone or even prevent the need for surgery. This often improves their overall quality of life since their body does not need to recover from an invasive procedure.

If you are experiencing any of the problems listed above, a chiropractic adjustment should be a consideration for your treatment. While multiple visits may be required, the health benefits and often immediate pain relief of chiropractic adjustments are definitely worth it. Please consult with your chiropractor to review your case and discuss your treatment options.