17 Times You Should Go to a Chiropractor
By Dr. Brent Wells, DC
- When You Have Been in an Accident
- When You Have Back Pain
- When You Have Neck Pain
- If You Suffer From Headaches
- When Pregnant
- When You Have Hip Pain
- If You Have Arthritis
- If You Wish To Improve Your Posture
- When You Have Muscle Spasms
- If You Have A Shooting Leg Pain
- If You Suffer From Limited Range of Motion
- If You Have a Repetitive Stress Injury
- If You Wish to Lose Weight
- If You Have Joint Pain
- If You Suffer From Anxiety or Depression
- When You Have Persistent Digestive Problems
- When You Have Tingling or Numbness
When Should I See a Chiropractor?
As earlier mentioned, one of the major reasons why most people would choose to see a chiropractor is for back pain, joint pain, or neck pain. Chiropractic care is good for these and a number of additional conditions as well. Read on to discover 17 times you need to go to a chiropractor.
1. After You Have Been in an Accident
You should always go to a hospital to receive emergency care directly after an accident. But once you’ve been released from the hospital or cleared by a doctor, you may have issues that only a trained chiropractor can help you with. The jarring impact of a car accident can knock your body out of alignment, causing issues that may persist for years unless you see a chiropractor for help.
2. When You Have Back Pain
Whether or not you know the cause of the back pain, a chiropractor can help. They use multiple modalities including spinal alignment, massage, traction, laser therapy, and special exercises to find and address the cause of your back pain. Even a dull ache that you assume is simply part of getting old can be fixed by a doctor of chiropractic.
3. When You Have Neck Pain
The spine at the neck is often a place that causes us pain. There are so many small joints between the vertebrae, and our use of smartphones and tablets tends to put our necks in unnatural positions. When you combine these two, it’s no wonder so many people suffer from neck pain. Luckily, doctors of chiropractic are experts in spinal care. They can help you get back to normal while giving you tips and advice to keep the neck pain away for good.
4. If You Suffer From Headaches or Migraines
Everyone gets headaches once in a while. They’re pretty common and don’t necessarily mean you should seek medical attention. But, if you suffer from headaches or migraines once a month or more, you should consider seeing a chiropractor for help. Some headaches are caused by issues in other parts of the body, like the back or neck muscles. The fact is that when the body is out of alignment, it can manifest as headaches, and a chiropractor may be able to help.
5. When Pregnant
Although the female body is designed for pregnancy, it doesn’t mean that the changes don’t cause pain and discomfort. The joints loosen and the fetus puts increasing pressure on the whole body as the pregnancy advances. The spine and pelvis are especially affected during this time. Fortunately, chiropractors can help by safely and naturally adjusting the body for decreased pain. Not only that, but doctors of chiropractic can help ensure a smooth and safe delivery by using chiropractic modalities during the course of the pregnancy.
6. When You Have Hip Pain
Like back pain, there are numerous causes for hip pain. Whether you’re young or not-so-young, a chiropractor can help with many kinds of hip issues. Sometimes the hips can cause pain when they are slightly misaligned. This can be the result of poor posture, physical activity, or normal wear-and-tear. Oftentimes a combination of simple exercises, stretching, and chiropractic alignment will do the trick for a painful hip.
7. If You Have Arthritis
Unfortunately there’s no cure for arthritis, but there is a natural, drug-free option for managing the pain and reducing the negative effects. The main goal of chiropractic care for arthritis patients is to restore function to the joints. With proper function, you experience mobility without the pain of inflamed joints. Chiropractic care is recommended as a safe and viable treatment option by the Arthritis Foundation.
8. If You Wish To Improve Your Posture
It can be hard to maintain proper posture in this day and age. Pulling out the phone and looking down at it takes its toll over the months and years. While this may not cause problems right away, it can be the source of painful days in the future. The fact is that poor posture can lead to spinal arthritis, permanently stooped posture, poor muscle function, and decreased range of motion. But there’s still hope, and chiropractic care can be a huge help. With the help of chiropractic adjustments and tips, you can save your back and adopt healthy habits that will keep your spine aligned throughout your day.
9. When You Have Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms may not sound too bad, but if you’ve ever had them you know how painful they can be. They have a variety of causes, including vitamin or mineral deficiency, prolonged sitting or standing with poor posture, and nerve malfunctions. A doctor of chiropractic can help prevent muscle spasms with massage therapy, spinal adjustments, stretching, and other techniques. When the muscles are in alignment, the nerve signals reduce because your nerves are no longer under increased pressure.
10. If You Have A Shooting Leg Pain
Sometimes a shooting leg pain is caused by a problem in the spine, such as a slipped or herniated disc. A disc can press on a nerve in the lumbar spine and cause pain all down the leg. This happens to the sciatic nerve most commonly and is known as sciatica. Usually, this isn’t serious, but it can be extremely painful while it lasts. The best thing you can do for a pain in the leg is to see a professional who can assess the situation. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to deal with issues like these, making them ideal for help with shooting leg pain.
11. If You Suffer From Limited Range of Motion
Our joints are amazing. They allow us to do pretty much everything that requires movement. But if you find yourself suffering from a limited range of motion, you could find it hard to perform even the simplest of tasks, like opening a drawer or walking up the stairs. There can be several reasons for a limited range of motion, including a problem with the joint itself or with the muscles around it. To determine what the underlying issue is, you should seek chiropractic help. Most of the time a chiropractor can find a natural and effective way to restore your range of motion and eliminate any pain it may have caused.
12. If You Have a Repetitive Stress Injury
Athletes often seek the help of chiropractors for repetitive stress injuries, but even issues like carpal tunnel syndrome can qualify. Using things like cold laser therapy, manual manipulation, strengthening exercises, and stretches can help to heal the injury and get you back in the game— or back at the keyboard.
13. If You Wish to Lose Weight
Yes, you read that right. Chiropractic care can help you lose weight. In fact, bodyweight is one of the biggest factors contributing to back issues in the US. When you carry less weight, you experience fewer musculoskeletal issues. This is why chiropractors often employ certified nutritionists to work with their clients on healthy diets and weight loss plans, in addition to other chiropractic modalities.
14. If Your Soles Are Uneven
A quick look at the soles of your shoes can tell you if your body is misaligned for not. Uneven wearing on the bottom of your shoes is often indicative of an issue that’s affecting how you walk. A chiropractor can help fix this before it becomes a more serious and painful issue.
15. If You Suffer From Anxiety or Depression
Some people that suffer from chronic pain issues and anxiety or depression have seen promising results from chiropractic care. The brain and the body are linked in more ways than we currently know. What we do know is that even low-grade chronic pain can cause depression and anxiety. They in turn seem to cause a heightened sensitivity to pain. Through chiropractic alignment and massage, pain, depression, and anxiety can be greatly reduced or eliminated.
16. When You Have Persistent Digestive Problems
The nervous system is closely tied to the digestive system. Some studies show that people with back problems often have stomach issues, as well. A spinal misalignment that affects your nerve signals could be wreaking havoc in your gut. It may even go so far as to keep you from properly digesting your food, therefore causing you to miss out on nutrients your body needs.
17. When You Have Tingling or Numbness
It can be very scary to have your hand or leg go numb out of nowhere. Almost like it fell asleep, but without you laying on it for an extended period. Pinched nerves, spinal misalignment, and muscle misalignment can all be causes of tingling and numbness. A doctor of chiropractic can help your body back into proper alignment so you no longer experience these strange and concerning sensations.
Seeing a Chiropractor Even Without Back Pain
From a broad perspective, chiropractic care is all about the spine. The necessities of modern life often put the spine in jeopardy. If you are an office worker, you probably sit for eight hours a day. If you spend hours on your phone, your neck is probably craned forward. If you have a physical job, you could damage your discs by lifting wrong.
This is why many people visit a chiropractor for prevention and maintenance. Regular visits to your doctor of chiropractic can help you maintain the proper posture, avoid the premature degradation of discs and joints, and help keep your body healthy overall.
The fact is that few people know the benefits of manipulative care. There are so many fallacies and myths that may directly prevent you from discovering and benefiting from chiropractic care.
If you are quick to believe what you read or hear, the myths and misconceptions are enough to make you doubtful of manipulative treatment. But, studies show that adjustments and spinal manipulations are beneficial at many different stages of life.
This is particularly very important for first-timers. If you’re considering chiropractic care, look out for these myths and fallacies:
- Manipulative procedures and adjustments hurt
- Chiropractic treatment is very expensive.
- Doctors of manipulative treatments are not real.
- You will never stop going to a chiropractor the moment you start.
- You need to get approval from a medical physician.
- Chiropractors are not surgeons and they are not allowed to prescribe drugs.
- No need to go if you do not experience any pain or if the pain is gone.
- Manipulative care is only for neck and back pain.
- The services are not covered by insurance.
- Chiropractors are not as highly educated as medical physicians.
- My pain can go away with over-the-counter painkillers and prescriptions.
- Manipulative treatment may fail to work for my case.
The above mentioned are among the most common misconceptions and myths, but the list does not end there. The best thing you can do is give a chiropractor a chance and see how you feel after a few sessions. It’s safe and non-invasive— and it’s covered by most insurance.
Simply put, you do not need a probable cause, such as back pain, neck pain, sciatica, or a pinched nerve to consult a doctor of chiropractic. And if you’ve never had your spine or posture assessed, there’s no time like the present.
Why See a Chiropractor?
We listed some specific instances for seeing a chiropractor above in this article. Here are some more general benefits of seeing a chiropractor to consider.
- Boost Your Immune System
The neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems work hand in hand with the immune system. Spinal problems may interfere with your immune system. Chiropractic therapy locates and corrects spinal nerve interference, and allows the body to heal itself.
Maintaining the health of your spine and nervous system helps your immune system stay strong. In the case of a pinched nerve, an adjustment realigns the spine and eases the pressure on a pinched nerve, allowing the body’s organs to receive the necessary elements to affect healing. - Avoid Over-The-Counter-Medication
According to research, the immune system and the nervous system are intertwined. Therefore, treating the nervous system is believed to boost the immune system. With that said, chiropractic care can be viewed as a medication-free treatment.
Manipulative care is less invasive compared to medication. Therefore, if you have a risk for or sensitivity to medication, chiropractic care could provide the same outcome while totally avoiding over the counter medication. - Improve Sleep
Sleep is an essential part of our lives. It helps the body relax. Chiropractic improves spinal alignment as well as nerve flow. This helps to get rid of the pain, especially in the lumbar spine, improving sleep quality and rest. - Relieve Pain
Chiropractic care helps eliminate back pain. Many studies have been conducted on this concept. If you are a person with chronic pain in your low back or say you have a problem that is acute in nature, then this treatment will offer you much-needed relief. - Improve Neurological Functioning
The spine is closely connected to your brain and your central nervous system. Therefore, the health of your spine, the way it is aligned and moves can directly impact the functioning of your nervous system. - Promote Hormonal Balance
Chiropractic adjustments on your vertebrae can help with hormonal balance. Restrictive barriers along the spinal column prevent free movement of spinal components. This affects what we call mechanoreceptors, leading to the release of stress hormones. This puts your body in dominant stress response. Manipulative procedures do a great job of reducing the hormones and improve the body’s functionality. - Reduce Inflammation
Manipulative treatment is very effective at reducing inflammation. Subluxations in your spine may lead to inflammation, which is not a pleasant experience. Adjustments will help you deal with the problem. A chiropractor may also use specific types of tools to reduce swelling and inflammation. These tools may include traction, diathermy, high current TENS, electrical muscle stimulation, and ultrasound. - Encourage Proper Organ Function
This depends mainly on the intertwined connection between your spine and your autonomic nervous system. Any misalignments along the spine affect the nervous system, which may lead to the release of stress hormones, interfering with the functions of body organs. You can avoid all these with effective adjustments. - Manage Blood Pressure
The causes of high blood pressure or hypertension are many. Modern medications have certainly done a great job of managing hypertension, but you also have a medication-free alternative, which is chiropractic.
Chiropractors adjust the spinal column to maintain a balance in the nervous system. A balanced nervous system helps to regulate blood pressure properly and naturally.
- Improve Immunity
There is ample evidence that suggests chiropractic adjustments positively affect the immune system. Spinal manipulation influences natural killer cells production and autonomic balance. The healthy relationship between the spine and the nervous system is vital.
Any problems with the spine lead to a chain of undesirable events, such as increased stress hormones, among other things. Adjustments ensure that your spine is super healthy, and so is your immune system.
Is Chiropractic Care Effective?
Chiropractic care is one of the most profound forms of treatment for musculoskeletal problems. According to most studies, chiropractic care has proven to be very effective in correcting spinal misalignments and restoring dysfunctional joints.
Approximately half of the American adult population has been to a chiropractor’s office, and more than half of the patients have positive views regarding chiropractic care. They agree that chiropractic procedures are instrumental in alleviating back and neck pain.
Most people are not well-informed about chiropractors. According to one Gallup Report, approximately half of the adults in the United States have not seen a doctor of chiropractic. These people are uncertain about the effectiveness, cost, and matters of chiropractic care.
The uncertainty about the various facets of chiropractic has provided us with the opportunity to encourage interested people to seek out chiropractic centers. Should I see a chiropractor? Continue reading to find out.
Choosing the Right Chiropractor
Once you know when to go to a chiropractor, you need to know how to choose the right chiropractor near you. Selecting a chiropractor can be a very stressful decision, especially when you are after the best in terms of services.
There is so much that you must consider when picking your ideal physician. The following are the most important factors to consider:
- Choose a qualified professional who deals with spinal conditions.
- Visit websites that deal with chiropractic care at a larger scale, such as the American Chiropractic Association or the Canadian Chiropractic Association. Such entities will provide you with accurate information.
- Do research of your own to find out whether or not the extremely affordable services are genuine.
- Do not create a problem where there is none. Some chiropractors may force procedures on you even when you do not need them.
- Do not continue consulting a chiropractor who disregards the work of other physicians.
- Find out how experienced the chiropractor is with your specific problem. For instance, there are chiropractors who are more specialized and experienced with back pain than others. Try to find out who has been treated by your doctor of choice, and what good or bad things do they have to say about the doctor.
- Choose a chiropractor who is located within your geographical location. You will not have to take a flight or drive for long hours in order to avoid additional costs.
- Confirm, online if possible, whether or not your insurance may cover your care. Some chiropractors are known to offer a free consultation. Most importantly, you should find a chiropractor who allows payment plans.
In Conclusion
Should I see a chiropractor? Definitely yes! We have provided you with more than enough reasons that should encourage you to see a doctor of chiropractic. While most people would choose to see a chiropractor because of an accident or the aging process, you should see a chiropractor for any of the aforementioned reasons.
You should feel comfortable with your chosen chiropractic care treatments and the facility you choose. This holistic therapy is considered safe as long as you visit well-trained, experienced, licensed, and renowned chiropractors. Visit our Alaskan chiropractic clinics, I welcome clients to inquire about what may be the best care plan for them.
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Dr. Brent Wells, D.C.
About the Author
Dr. Brent Wells has been a trusted chiropractor since moving his family from Oregon to Alaska back in 1998 and founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab – B.S. from Univ. of Nevada, Doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College, volunteer for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Foundation, and member of the American Chiropractic Association. As a chiropractor his focus is on family, including his 3 children and wife of 20+ years, his clinics, and ongoing education.
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