I will explain what chiropractors do and how the various treatment methods can provide relief and improve how your body works.
The 5-year university degree trains chiropractors in diagnosis, safety and best practice methods and techniques for many health conditions.
Chiropractors focus on the nerve, joint and muscular systems of the body, with a particular focus on the spine. The science of assessing movement disorders of the joint nerve muscle systems of the spine can be applied to problems in the jaw, shoulders, arms, hips and legs.
Most chiropractic patients initially attend for pain syndromes and problems causing headaches, neck pain, back pain, sciatica, arthritis and repetitive strain-type injuries.
Once results are achieved with a patient’s pain complaint, advice and further treatment aimed at creating strength and resilience is offered. Some patients are satisfied with their pain relief and cease treatment, only to return if their pain recurs. Other patients utilize chiropractors for ongoing health management, nutritional advice, precise exercises and sporting technique modification.
Heath conditions that have part of their cause linked to spinal joint dysfunction, and muscle stiffness can include breathing and digestion problems, sleep disturbance, poor feeding in babies, period pain and some chronic pain syndromes.
Whilst not suggesting that chiropractic management is a cure for all these ailments, correction of joint and muscle stiffness can alleviate oversensitive areas, relaxing muscles and allowing deeper breathing, easier swallowing, better sleep postures and less intensity of abdominal discomfort.
In a world where many health interventions involve medication only, chiropractic provides a hands-on, explanatory approach, with particular attention to individual differences. This leads to customized stretching and exercise advice and lifestyle interventions that are tailored to suit a person’s age, fitness and health understanding.
With satisfaction levels reported by patients as one of the highest of all the health professions, finding a chiropractor who suits you many well help you cope with your busy lifestyle!
I welcome comments or questions on particular techniques or conditions and would be happy to advise, in a general way, on certain health conditions.
Andrew Vincent