Introduction
Chiropractic is a form of holistic medicine, which is provided by a chiropractor. Chiropractors use manual techniques to provide pain relief and alleviate symptoms that impact the joints, bones, connective tissue and muscles. There are many benefits to seeing a chiropractor and chiropractic can help a wide range of people with a broad spectrum of symptoms.
In this informative article, we will outline the advantages of going to a chiropractor and discuss who can benefit from chiropractic care.
What are the benefits of going to a chiropractor?
Chiropractic is a type of therapy, which uses manual manipulation and mobilization to target specific areas and alleviate symptoms, including pain, reduced mobility, inflammation and stiffness. There are multiple benefits of going to a chiropractor, including:
Easing back pain symptoms
Back pain is the most common ailment among US adults. A 2021 study suggested that around 40% of people had experienced back pain in the three-month period leading up to the poll. Up to 60% of Americans live with pain, and lower back pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek advice from their doctors (source).
In many cases, people who have back pain don’t want to rely on medication to relieve symptoms and enhance comfort. Painkillers can be beneficial in the short term, but for people who have chronic pain, alternative solutions are often more effective. These include making lifestyle changes, including doing more exercise and trying targeted activities, such as yoga, as well as chiropractic. Chiropractic involves using spinal manipulation techniques to reduce discomfort and improve mobility. Often, chiropractic reduces reliance on analgesics and it can also lower the chances of needing invasive surgical treatment.
Chiropractic is not just effective as a form of pain relief for people who experience short or long-term back pain. It can also benefit those who are prone to general aches and pains and stiffness by increasing the range of motion in the back and neck to make everyday tasks easier. This is an effective way to optimize quality of life and boost physical and mental well-being.
Reducing neck pain
Neck and shoulder pain are very common, especially among people who have desk jobs and those who spend long periods sitting down. If you have poor posture, or you sit for hours at a time, this can increase pressure on your spine, causing discomfort. Neck pain can be debilitating, but there are solutions. Chiropractors work with patients who experience neck and shoulder pain frequently. In most cases, neck pain is caused by bad posture, awkward sitting and sleeping positions and injuries and trauma. Manipulation can free the joints and reduce tension and stiffness to enhance mobility and flexibility and ease pain.
As well as using targeted exercises and movements to treat the neck and shoulders and reduce pain, chiropractors can also recommend self-help techniques to lower the risk of pain in the future. These include suitable exercise programs and activities and ways to improve posture.
Targeting headaches
Headaches are extremely common. Statistics from the World Health Organization suggest that around half of the adult population experiences headaches at least once a year. Some people are more prone to headaches and they have them much more frequently. It is estimated that up to 15% of US adults have migraine disease. Migraines are more prevalent among women. Up to 75% of those affected by migraines are female (source).
There are several possible causes of headaches, including dehydration, colds and flu, stress, trauma and head injuries, drinking alcohol, a lack of sleep and poor posture. Chiropractic is particularly effective in reducing symptoms of tension headaches and pain that spreads from the back, neck and shoulders.
A study conducted in 2016 revealed that spinal manipulation was more effective in managing symptoms of headaches than exercise in participants who had chronic headaches. During the trial period, individuals had between six and eight treatment sessions (source).
Headaches are one of the most common reasons people take medication. Chiropractic can help to alleviate pain without the need for drugs.
Alleviating pain caused by osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It causes the cartilage at the ends of the bones to wear and break down, which contributes to joint pain, stiffness and reduced mobility and suppleness. Other symptoms include cracking and grinding noises when you use your joints, increased tenderness and inflammation. Osteoarthritis can affect any of the joints, but it causes pain in the knees, hands and hips most commonly.
The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age and it is more common among women and people who are overweight or obese. The CDC estimates that over 32 million Americans have osteoarthritis (source). In some cases, osteoarthritis is linked to other types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. Most people find that their symptoms get worse as they move the affected joints more frequently or vigorously. There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are several therapies that can help to reduce the severity of symptoms, including chiropractic. Chiropractors manipulate and stretch the joints and muscles to combat pain and stiffness, improve flexibility and expand the range of movement.
Osteoarthritis symptoms vary in severity from one person to another. If symptoms are severe, the condition can make even simple tasks more difficult and demanding. Seeing a chiropractor can help to make people feel more comfortable and improve their ability to carry out and complete everyday tasks independently.
Managing and reducing stress
Stress affects most people at some point in their lives. Stress is often viewed as a mental illness, but it causes both psychological and physiological symptoms. If you are exposed to high levels of stress for a prolonged period, this can impact everything from your sleep quality and your mood to your appetite, your sex drive and your immunity. Stress can also make you more susceptible to injuries and aches and pains.
Managing stress is incredibly beneficial for mental and physical health. There are multiple ways to lower stress levels and tackle symptoms that are linked to severe or chronic stress. Examples include massage therapy, meditation, regular exercise, talking therapies, creative activities and chiropractic. Chiropractic is helpful for reducing stress for two main reasons. Firstly, chiropractic care can alleviate tension in the nervous system, which is a by-product of high stress levels. Secondly, the processes and exercises involved in a chiropractic session can be relaxing and soothing. By visiting a chiropractor, you can lower the risk of severe and chronic stress to improve your well-being and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
As research suggests that stress is becoming more common, therapies like chiropractic can help people to tackle stress and alleviate symptoms.
Boosting sporting performance
Playing sports offers a diverse range of benefits, but it can also take its toll on the body. Some activities carry a high risk of injury and wear and tear and the body also needs time to rest and recover after physical exertion, which is not always possible, particularly in elite sport. Chiropractors work with athletes and people who play sports frequently. They can help to boost performance in several ways. Chiropractic can help to facilitate effective muscle recovery, lower the risk of pain and discomfort after training and improve joint suppleness and mobility. Chiropractic sessions can also prevent tension and ease swelling. For some performers, chiropractic also provides a release after competing or training, which helps them to clear their mind and feel more relaxed.
Improving posture
Research carried out by the American Chiropractic Association suggests that over 30 million Americans have poor posture. Posture is the way an individual holds their body. The majority of us spend long periods sitting or standing. If your posture is poor, this can put you at risk of back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches and joint problems. When you’re sitting at a desk, for example, your spine should be straight and your shoulders relaxed. You should be able to see your computer screen without craning your neck and reach the keyboard without stretching. If you’re slumped over in your chair or you slouch regularly, chiropractic can help you to improve your posture to prevent aches and pains and enable you to focus on your work.
Helping pregnant women
Pregnancy brings about major changes in the body. During pregnancy, it is very common for expectant mothers to experience pain, particularly back pain. The extra weight of the growing baby and changes in posture and sleeping position can contribute to discomfort, especially in the second and third trimesters. Stress and hormonal changes can also make pregnant women more vulnerable to back and joint pain.
Chiropractic is safe in the vast majority of pregnancies. It can help to alleviate pain and improve posture to enhance comfort. During pregnancy, the center of gravity moves slightly, which can impact posture. Seeing a chiropractor can restore balance and help pregnant women to feel more comfortable when they are sitting, standing and sleeping.
Improving gut health
Most people associate chiropractic with the joints and muscles, but it has far-ranging health benefits. Going to a chiropractor can be beneficial if you have digestive health issues, including IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Crohn’s disease and reflux. This is because the nervous system is the control center of the body. As well as regulating movement, the nerves carry signals and messages that control digestion, waste product removal and the absorption of key minerals, vitamins and nutrients. Misalignment in the spine and compressed nerves can impact these processes, affecting digestive health. Chiropractic can reduce nerve pressure and improve spinal positioning to enhance gut health.
Overall health and well-being benefits
Chiropractic is often used as a therapy to target existing issues, including pain, stiffness and restricted joint movement, but it can also serve as an effective means of improving overall health and well-being. If you go to a chiropractor on a regular basis, your joint movement and mobility will improve, you may feel more energized and less tense and you should find that tasks become easier and less burdensome on your body. This covers everything from simple jobs like getting dressed or getting out of the shower to more demanding tasks like doing exercise or sitting for long periods when you’re working or traveling.
Is chiropractic right for me?
Chiropractic is a hugely diverse form of therapy, which offers health benefits for people with a wide range of health problems, as well as those who want to enhance their general health and well-being or tackle specific issues, such as bad posture. If you have symptoms, such as back or neck pain, you feel stiff all the time, or your body feels tense, it’s beneficial to consider seeing a chiropractor.
When you have a consultation with a chiropractor, they will ask you some simple questions about your health, your medical history and your symptoms. They will use the information, along with examinations and tests to identify problems and create a personalized treatment program. The aim is not only to address existing or developing issues but also to optimize long-term health and well-being. Your chiropractor will explain the findings of tests and examinations to you, providing recommendations and outlining what sessions will involve. When you visit your chiropractor, it’s important to ask questions if you have concerns or queries, or you’d like more information.
Summary
Chiropractors deliver chiropractic care, a form of treatment, which uses targeted manipulation and exercises to alleviate symptoms that affect the joints, muscles, bones and connective tissue. Chiropractic offers multiple health benefits for people who have existing symptoms, as well as athletes looking to improve their performance and individuals who want to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Health benefits of chiropractic include reduced back, neck and shoulder pain and improved posture, flexibility and mobility. Seeing a chiropractor can also help to ease tension, alleviate pain caused by osteoarthritis, improve digestive health, lower the risk of headaches and enhance comfort during pregnancy. For many people, the experience can also be relaxing.