What You Need to Know About Chiropractic Care
If your back has been in pain for a long time and nothing seems to work, you might be requiring chiropractic care services. If you also have a misaligned back that makes you walk like you have a hunch or one of your shoulders seems higher than the other, you might need chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care is offered by chiropractors, who mostly see patients on a referral basis. This means that you might need to first visit a general doctor who then refers you to a chiropractor.
If you want to see a chiropractor without a referral, you may need to do your homework to find a qualified and competent chiropractor near you. Here's what you need to know about chiropractic care:
First Appointment
When you visit your chiropractor for the first time, they may ask you questions about your medical history and when your back, neck or shoulder pain or discomfort started. Some pain might be from an accident, an injury while playing a sport or a deformity you were born with. Whatever the cause is, a chiropractor is in a position to help you lead a pain-free and comfortable life. Try and answer the chiropractor's questions fully and in detail so that they can offer effective treatment.
You are then examined physically; the chiropractor uses their hands to feel your muscles and bones. They might also request for an X-ray for better visualisation. From what is found after the examination, your chiropractor can create an effective treatment plan.
What Does Treatment Involve?
Expect massage, cracking of bones, exercise, changes in diet, stretching and even oral medication and ointment application. Your chiropractor combines all the treatment methods mentioned above as they see fit. Not everyone requires all treatment options mentioned above to be carried out because back, neck and shoulder pain and discomfort differ for each person. From experience and the results obtained from your examination, your chiropractor knows which treatment cocktail to use.
Expectations
Chiropractic treatment does not work overnight; it takes several weeks or even months to get you feeling no pain or better. You might, however, feel some relief after the first few days. It is normal not to feel instant relief after the first treatment is applied (cracking of bones, stretching, massage, exercise, etc.); you can even feel some pain or discomfort. If this pain is severe, inform your chiropractor so that they manage it or change the treatment plan.
For more tips, reach out to a chiropractic clinic near you.