Spinal Care and Chiropractic Services
Spinal Care and Chiropractic Services
Chiropractic treatment is designed to correct disorders of the musculoskeletal system and mechanisms of the body, as well as prevent them from occurring. The effects of these disorders have a significant impact on your overall health and wellbeing. Chiropractic focuses on using spinal manipulations known as adjustments as well as manual treatments to relieve imbalances on joints and injuries within the soft tissue. Chiropractic is becoming extremely popular as a holistic approach to achieving general good health.
Your chiropractor is a health care professional who carries specific training in the diagnosis and treatment of your spine and musculoskeletal system though non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical methods. Though surgery and medications are absolutely required for certain conditions, a chiropractor works in tandem with your healthcare professional to deliver natural treatments such as manual therapies, lifestyle changes, nutrition and stretching to reduce the dependence.
What Happens When You Visit a Chiropractic Clinic?
During the first visit, your chiropractor will conduct a comprehensive examination, including aspects such as your previous health status and medications, family and social histories and anything else that may contribute to your health. You may require an X-ray, CT or MRI before treatment begins.
Following a proper diagnosis, your chiropractor will recommend a treatment strategy suitable for your condition that may involve manual therapy, spinal manipulation or both, as well as exercise prescription, stretching, lifestyle modifications, and/or nutritional counseling. After this first visit, all subsequent visits that take place in our chiropractic injury centers take about 20 minutes depending on what treatment methods are prescribed.
What Are Chiropractic Adjustments?
Chiropractic adjustments, which are also known as spinal manipulations, are delivered by trained chiropractors as an intervention to restore the function and reduce the pain of your joints. Adjustments are delivered by hand using a technique called high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust, or by using specialized equipment such as a table. This method of treatment involves applying rapid thrusting to a joint, where a clicking or popping sound can be heard. These sounds are caused by sudden pressure changes in the fluid of the joints and are called a “joint cavitation.” Relief is often felt when hearing these sounds.
Another form of manual therapy that is similar to spinal manipulation is spinal mobilization. The goals are the same, as they both relieve pain and restore function. However, spinal mobilization uses a lower velocity of thrust when compared to the HVLA method used in spinal manipulations, and are always done by hand.
How Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Work?
There is no definitive answer as to why spinal manipulation works or how it is able to relieve pain as the mechanism is not well defined. It is thought that the manipulations release synovial folds or plica that have become entrapped, or that the hypertonic paraspinal musculature is relaxed following the manipulation. Other theories postulate that the reflexes of the central and neural nervous system are stimulated, the vertebral motion segments are unbuckled or lesions of the articular/periarticular are disrupted.
Is it Safe to Get a Spinal Manipulation?
There are a lot of factors that go into a successful treatment plan involving chiropractic. Your chiropractor will determine the appropriate manipulation technique to suit your condition and will deliver it in a safe way. There have been side effects observed after spinal manipulation, however most are transitory or benign. It is not uncommon to experience slight discomfort, a feeling of tiredness or a headache following treatment.
