Relieve More Than Back Pain With Chiropractic Care

It was once thought that chiropractic treatment was just for back and neck pain. Thanks to technology and the ever changing world of medicine, this is no longer the case. Doctors are now seeing that chiropractic treatment is a valid method of healthcare. It benefits the whole body and mind either as a preventive measure to avoid health issues or for rehabilitative measures and acute or chronic pain management.

By aligning the spine and joints, the body is able to begin the natural healing process and build a defense against further injuries or worsening any current condition(s). There are numerous conditions/injuries that can be treated via chiropractic care such as (but not limited to): back issues (herniated or bulging disc and sprains/strains), degenerative disc disease, Fibromyalgia, neurological disorders, Scoliosis, and certain types of headaches.

Chiropractors are generally split up into two groups: the traditional chiropractors and the symptom relief chiropractors. The traditional chiropractors' main focus is "removing nerve interference and restructuring the spine to its most stable biomechanical position" (Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness Center). In other words, they treat the root cause of the patient's pain instead of just the individual symptoms. The other group, symptom relief chiropractor, concentrates on relieving the individual symptoms. While the patient may get immediate pain relief with this method, not investigating the root cause of each symptom will only lead to the symptoms returning at a later date or bring about new health issues.

These two groups can be broken down even further. There are three subcategories: relief, corrective, and maintenance chiropractic treatment. Remember, as with any medical treatment plan, you will need a thorough evaluation to determine the proper course of action that will be most beneficial to you.

Relief chiropractic treatment helps patients who have suffered any level and intensity of pain, where the root cause is generally unknown. This provides immediate symptom relief in most cases. The goal is to decrease or eliminate pain and stiffness which will allow the patient more range of motion and increases their ability to function in day to day operations. The length of treatment depends on the extent of the damage and how long they have been experiencing the pain/stiffness. Good communication between the patient, the patient's primary physician, and the chiropractor is paramount for this method of treatment to work.

Corrective chiropractic treatment is an advanced method of care for patients who have had spinal problems for an extended period of time. These types of problems usually develop new symptoms or result in a more complex condition due to lack of proper care. The length of treatment no only depends on how severe the condition is but the patient's physical response to the rehabilitation process.

Maintenance chiropractic care works in conjunction with any treatment(s) the patient is currently undergoing, and the continuation of rehabilitative chiropractic care after the current treatment plan made by the primary physician and/or specialist has expired. The main goal is to prevent further agitation to any current condition/injury. There are a lot of conditions that are irreversible, but with proper chiropractic care the symptoms can decrease and/or stop from progressing any further.

Discuss with your primary physician about the benefits of chiropractic care for your injury or condition. He/she should be able to refer you to the right chiropractor. If not, he/she can point you in the right direction to find one that will be the most beneficial. No matter how long you have been suffering, seeing a chiropractor now will help give you some immediate relief while preventing further damage to your body's systems.

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A Quick Look at Chiropractic Sports Medicine

The whole idea of healing the body without relying on surgery or medicine is quite practical and worth considering. One of the most used forms of treatment today is chiropractic. Sadly, most people believe that chiropractic care is limited to the treatment of back and neck pain. In this post, we will explain the benefits of chiropractic sports medicine.

What's Chiropractic Sports Medicine?

Sports Chiropractic, also known as chiropractic sports medicine, is an evolving and budding branch of chiropractic, which aims at improving the performance of athletes of different sports. This particular branch of chiropractic expertise is a great boon for athletes and others who are or want to be physically fit. Besides healing and preventing musculoskeletal injuries, sports chiropractic helps in improving overall performance, endurance, agility and strength. Chiropractic care has been around for hundreds of years, but it was in 1980 that a chiropractor started working with the United States Olympic medical team. Ever since then, the use of chiropractic care and healing in sports has only increased. Today, most of the professional teams have an in-house chiropractor that their athletes have at their disposal.

Understanding The Role of Sports Chiropractors

The job of a sports chiropractor is a specialized one. They often rely on specialized healing techniques along with other forms of non-invasive treatments for their clients, including cold laser therapy and spinal decompression. Sports chiropractors are expected to have in-depth knowledge and understanding of different common sports-related injuries. For athletes, chiropractors use a 'hands-on' approach for every injury to the best possible extent, without using drugs or medicines. In extreme cases, an athlete may need both therapeutic treatments and chiropractic healing, and for such situations, a sports chiropractor may suggest other forms of healing and care, as well. If you are physically active, visiting a sports chiropractor can be beneficial in many ways.

What Else Is There to Know?

Before you visit a chiropractor, you should know their areas of expertise. As mentioned, sports chiropractors are known for their understanding of injuries and common issues related to various sports. On your first visit, the concerned staff will ask a few questions and other aspects related to training, thoroughly examine you and possibly obtain diagnostics before rendering or suggesting a treatment plan. Look for clinics that are known for their treatment and can offer other forms of alternative treatment. Usually, sports teams do hire their chiropractors separately, but if you are an athlete and need more than just general care, you can consult an expert independently.

Finally, on your first visit, it is best to ask questions as for how chiropractic care can help you in particular. An experienced chiropractor should be able to discuss and explain these aspects in detail.

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How the Food You Eat Affects Your Gut - Shilpa Ravella

The bacteria in our guts can break down food the body can’t digest, produce important nutrients, regulate the immune system, and protect against harmful germs. And while we can’t control all the factors that go into maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, we can manipulate the balance of our microbes by paying attention to what we eat. Shilpa Ravella shares the best foods for a healthy gut.

Lesson by Shilpa Ravella, animation by Andrew Foerster.

Modern Chiropractors and Typical Misconceptions About Chiropractic Care

A lot of people continue to be frightened of trying alternative treatments, especially chiropractic care, due to myths and misconceptions. Here are a few basic misconceptions you may have heard about chiropractic care:

Misconception 1: Chiropractic Care is Agonizing

Chiropractic care is by and large pain-free. Many patients instantly feel relieved and also relaxed following treatment procedures. Others even describe the procedure and experience as being much like a good therapeutic massage. Individuals who have always been affected by neck pain and back pain can experience a bit of discomfort, however their sessions end up being much more relaxing and comfortable with time.

Nearly all adult people will enjoy chiropractic therapies. Chiropractic therapy for youngsters as well as babies is likewise usually pain-free, despite the fact that kids may feel trepidation and fright in the beginning.

A session might range from thirty to sixty minutes, dependent upon the disorder being dealt with and also the affected regions. Patients can experience discomfort or perhaps slight pain dependent upon the seriousness of the problem, in addition to their own personal threshold regarding pain.

Misconception 2: Chiropractic Care Can Be Dangerous

Chiropractic care is extremely safe. Chiropractic corrections are believed to be amongst the safest treatments regarding neck and back pain. The danger regarding having serious complications as a result of spinal manipulation is in fact unheard of. Spinal adjustment is actually recommended by nearly all physicians, before people are generally advised to have surgical procedures. The alternative treatment is likewise viewed as a preliminary choice before you take powerful prescription drugs such as steroids or antidepressants.

Misconception 3: Chiropractic Doctors Are Less Competent In comparison to Medical Doctors

Chiropractic doctors actually undergo extremely stringent and demanding training and education. These kinds of courses are much like those undertaken by medical doctors, apart from subject matter such as surgical procedures and pharmacology. Chiropractic doctors have to study for two to four years initially as an undergraduate, prior to completing four to five years of academic studies in a chiropractic college.

The certified professionals are therefore well-equipped in things like pathology, radiology, bio-mechanics, differential diagnosis, physiology, chiropractic correction techniques, along with other health issues. Additionally, there are State and also National Board Examinations to guarantee certification. Ongoing training is necessary for all chiropractors as well.

Misconception 4: Chiropractic Care is Expensive

Chiropractic care is actually deemed to be both efficient and also cost-effective. Chiropractic care is usually significantly less expensive in comparison to having major medical treatments such as surgery and going on long-term prescription drug plans. Chiropractic care patients found that they may have substantially reduced costs regarding inpatient appointments, healthcare programs and medicines.

Evaluation consultations are usually quick and inexpensive. Individuals might only have to see their chiropractors a couple of times each year, dependent upon the progress regarding the problem. When patients have successfully completed a therapy program, they are given a choice to carry on receiving treatment or to opt for occasional sessions.

Preventive plans are also offered in order to help individuals eliminate back, spine and throat troubles before significant interventions are needed.

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Taking the Pain Out of Your Step: Orthotics

Dr. Pazdel explains and demonstrates the need for and fitting for orthotics to allow those with foot issues such as plantar fasciitis to be able to walk without pain. At Pazdel Chiropractic each client is custom fitted with exactly what is needed to help them best and then shoe inserts are custom made for that patient and for different types of shoes, such as tennis shoes, dress shoes, work shoes, and even sandals.

See more at http://www.PazdelChiropractic.com

Benefits of Chiropractic for Life

Most people go to a chiropractor initially to address pain they are experiencing in their back or neck.

While chiropractic has proven time and time again to be a highly effective means for reducing back and neck pain, what about after the pain subsides?

What are the benefits of chiropractic in asymptomatic people that no longer have, or even that have never experienced, spine related pain?

If you have been to a chiropractor in the past or even if you have a family member that has used chiropractic services, you have likely heard that the doctor recommended services even once the pain is gone.

This post-pain service is commonly referred to as preventative or maintenance care and is a little controversial in some circles as to if it is truly beneficial for people without pain.

Ask any chiropractor that not only practices in the profession for a living but also no doubt receives the very same type of treatment they provide on a 'preventative' or 'maintenance' level and they will of course tell you that chiropractic is much more than a way to get out of pain - It's a way to maintain optimal health for life.

But what does research show?

According to a 2004 review of literature by Sean M. Hannon, BA, DC, focused on the benefit of chiropractic adjustments in people with no significant pain, it was found that there is strong evidence to support that adjustments "confer health benefits to people regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms."

The review showed significant improvements in respiration, range of motion, cardiovascular function, immune function, muscle strength, healing time and reduced labor times in pregnant women under chiropractic care just to name a few benefits.

During my 18 years of chiropractic, I have seen firsthand the impact that adjustments can have on patients that have 'no pain.' The goal for these people, myself included, is to maintain optimal nerve flow from their spine to their muscles and organ systems to ensure they are functioning at their maximum level and to prevent problems from sneaking up on them.

Whether it's improved flexibility, more energy, getting sick less often or adding 10 yards onto their drive during the weekly golf game, every day I have the privilege of getting to hear about the impact a spinal adjustment is having on peoples' lives.

Combined with a healthy diet, exercise and management of stress, I have made sure that regular chiropractic adjustments have remained a consistent part of my family's wellness plan. And while I respect anyone's decision to utilize the incredible power of chiropractic in whatever way makes sense to them, I equally believe that people should be aware of the impact a lifetime of chiropractic care can have on overall prevention of future problems and optimizing wellness right now.

Many more people in our society are addicted to pain pills - that over time prove to have harsh side effects - than are addicted to natural alternatives such as chiropractic and massage. For some the medication is essential for pain control but for so many others, taking a vested interest in truly optimizing their health would enable them to utilize drugs as they were originally intended... bridging the gap between injury and healing.

* Source: Objective Physiologic Changes and Associated Health Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments in Asymptomatic Subjects: A Review of the Literature. Sean M. Hannon, BA, DC, J. Vertebral Subluxation Res. - JVSR.com, April 26, 2004.

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Who Goes To A Chiropractor?

Some might wonder: "Who would ever want go to a chiropractor"? While there are others who would ponder: "Why doesn't everyone go to a chiropractor"? The profession of chiropractic certainly has had its polarizing aspects.

As a practicing chiropractor of over 30 years I believe I have seen all manner of chiropractic detractors and adherents. I can definitely see how observers, patients, non-patients and other healthcare professionals can be confused about the chiropractic profession.

I certainly don't profess an ability to explain every aspect of chiropractic care and practice. However a background of experience, education, and knowledge permits me a certain degree of latitude to be able to detail some factual information regarding the profession of chiropractic and to extrapolate upon relevant research.

Gallup is a professional polling and survey company. In 2015 Gallup performed a study of 5442 adults in the United States regarding the chiropractic profession. This was the first ever nationally representative survey measuring perceptions of and experience with chiropractic among US adults.

The results revealed that about 50 percent of adults in the US have been to a chiropractor as a patient. About half of that group had been to a chiropractor in the last five years. A considerable number of this group had seen a chiropractor for neck and/or lower back pain.

This is significant and positive considering that 80 percent of the US population will have at least one disabling episode of lower back pain before the age of 40. Chiropractic care has been shown by many research studies to be the first line, primary conservative method for treating lower back pain.

The Gallup study further revealed that most of the respondents to their poll did not realize the extensive education that a chiropractor receives. Those surveyed did not realize that a chiropractor receives an education similar to other healthcare professions such as dentists, medical doctors and optometrists.

Gallup additionally noted that the survey revealed those who had never been to a chiropractor were concerned about safety. To those of us in the chiropractic profession this came as startling news because chiropractic care has been shown in numerous research studies to be exceedingly safe, especially for the treatment of the neck and lower back pain. With the public's concern about safety of chiropractic treatment the profession is making an effort to expand its public relations in educating the general public and other healthcare professionals as to just how safe the rendering of chiropractic care truly is.

The Gallup study has provided a wealth of information regarding the profession of chiropractic and usage and perceptions by the general public. This is a great service as more awareness about care given by chiropractors will help the overall improvement of the health of the country.

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