Columbus Chiropractor is a healthcare professional who cares for your neuromusculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, nerves, and tendons). Chiropractic is an overall way of looking at the body that focuses on the self-healing abilities of the human body instead of using drugs to treat symptoms.
You lie face down on a padded chiropractic table, and the chiropractor uses their hands to apply controlled force to realign joints. You may hear popping sounds similar to when you crack your knuckles.
Most patients see a chiropractor to find relief from back pain or neck and shoulder pain. These aches and pains are often caused by a pinched nerve. The chiropractor will use spinal manipulation and soft tissue massage to relieve the pain. They may also prescribe analgesics and anti-inflammatories to help control the pain until the body heals.
The chiropractor will examine the whole body to identify the source of the pain. They will look for misalignments of the spine, which are called subluxations. They will also assess other parts of the body to ensure there is no restriction in movement. They may ask for imaging or lab tests to confirm their diagnosis.
Chiropractic care is effective for both acute and chronic pain. It reduces pain, improves mobility, and relieves inflammation in the muscles and joints. It is a safe treatment that does not involve surgery or drug prescription. It is an alternative to opioids, which can cause addiction and side effects.
While chiropractors are trained to treat the entire body, some specialize in specific conditions or patient populations. They might focus on treating children, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, spinal conditions, arthritis and joint problems. They may also have special training in acupuncture, physiotherapy and nutritional counselling.
Chiropractors will often prescribe exercise regimens and lifestyle advice to promote wellness and prevent injury. They might perform kinesio taping or joint bracing to aid with sprained joints and muscles. They might offer therapeutic modalities like cold laser therapy, ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation and speed healing.
Muscle stimulation is a technique that involves passing a small, pulsing current through targeted muscles. It stimulates healing at the cellular level and increases the supply of oxygen to the muscles. It also breaks up lactic acid build-up in tight muscles and helps improve range of motion.
A chiropractor might incorporate muscle stimulation into your treatment plan to treat chronic pain, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. It is important to discuss your treatment plan with your chiropractor, including how many sessions you will need and the cost.
Many people, especially those who work in offices or other sedentary jobs, have poor posture. This can put unwanted pressure on the spine, causing it to shift or develop problems like herniated discs. A chiropractor can help ensure that the spine is in its proper alignment, relieving the pressure on the bones and joints and preventing future pain.
Chiropractors are also trained to diagnose and treat other problems related to the musculoskeletal system, including headaches, neck pain, and pain in the joints of the arms or legs. They can offer guidance on exercises and lifestyle changes that can help reduce symptoms or prevent them from returning. They can also recommend nutritional supplements or other natural remedies to support healing and wellness.
In some cases, a chiropractor will use manual manipulation of the bones and muscles to restore the proper alignment to the musculoskeletal system. This can be done by hand or with a tool called an activator, which applies a specific amount of force to the joint. This helps relieve pain caused by muscle spasms or by a bone that is out of place. It can also be used as a supplement to other medical treatments such as medication, physical therapy or joint injections.
Another way that chiropractors can improve a person’s quality of life is by restoring the normal function of the nervous system. Even the slightest misalignment can disrupt nerve transmissions, which have a chain reaction on a person’s ability to fight off infections and stay healthy. A chiropractor can restore the proper function of the nervous system to ensure that a person’s immune system works properly.
To achieve this goal, a chiropractor will use a technique called Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, or MAT, developed by Erik Dalton at Freedom From Pain Institute. According to Kelly, a therapist who is certified in MAT, the techniques can be applied to a wide range of health issues. The main focus is to interrupt the pain-causing patterns that can cause a client’s muscles to tense or relax too much, leading to stress on the body and eventual pain.
While it might seem like a chiropractor’s main goal is to fix your back, they are actually dedicated to your long-term health and wellness. Consequently, they will provide you with recommendations for a balanced lifestyle that includes spinal adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, physical fitness training and nutritional advice. This holistic care strategy provides relief from pain, enables you to heal faster and achieve your long-term wellness goals.
The behavioral elements of lifestyle play a key role in musculoskeletal health and overall wellness. For example, ergonomic changes at work can reduce musculoskeletal pain and prevent injuries; exercise prevents obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure; and nutrition improves digestion and nutrient absorption. Lifestyle counseling by chiropractors can empower patients to participate in their wellness and foster a prevention-oriented healthcare system.
However, not all chiropractors in Hong Kong offer lifestyle guidance. Some practitioners only give advice on specific tasks, such as strengthening back muscles or buying a pillow for your neck. The more comprehensive approach of a holistic chiropractor, however, can make significant differences in the lives of their patients. For instance, weight loss solutions are a common chiropractic recommendation because proper spinal alignment enhances metabolism and reduces the body’s tendency to store fat. A healthy diet, meanwhile, is a vital aspect of overall wellness because it can lower blood sugar levels and maintain a normal blood pressure.
When chiropractic recommendations and lifestyle guidance are accompanied by regular sessions with a health coach, clients will see the most significant impact on their wellness. Shared goals and a shared vision for client health will ensure that both parties are on the same page. Moreover, a regular reassessment will ensure that the strategies and techniques used remain current and relevant to client wellness.
The integration of chiropractors into Hong Kong’s primary healthcare system can support the government’s vision for a district-based health system that offers multidisciplinary primary care and helps manage chronic diseases effectively. By providing drug-free musculoskeletal healthcare and empowering patients to adopt healthier habits, chiropractors can contribute significantly to the government’s goals for community well-being.
Getting regular chiropractic treatment can prevent painful back and joint problems. Besides treating current injuries, a chiropractor can also perform preventative care, which is aimed at keeping your spinal health and nervous system healthy without the need for medication or surgery.
Chiropractors can offer you lifestyle advice to help you achieve a better life and healthier body. They may recommend stretching and warming up before physical activities, wearing comfortable, low-heeled shoes, maintaining proper posture while sitting or standing for long periods of time, and eating a balanced diet.
A chiropractor may also advise you on how to lift heavy objects safely or correctly, how to improve your sleep patterns, and ways to quit smoking. In addition, chiropractors can conduct neurological examinations to check the function of your motor and sensory nerves. These examinations can identify any subluxations (spinal misalignments) that can interfere with your nervous system.
Spine misalignments can also affect the lungs. When the spine is not aligned properly, it can block the natural flow of air and lead to a buildup of phlegm in the lungs. Chiropractors can adjust the spine to reposition the vertebrae, which allows for normal airflow and decreases lung swelling.
A good chiropractor will also teach patients how to prevent future injuries and recurrence of existing conditions. For instance, they will advise on proper sitting and standing posture when using electronic devices. This can help you avoid a condition known as text neck, which is an unnatural curvature of the cervical spine caused by bending over your mobile phone for extended periods.
In some countries, a chiropractor is integrated into healthcare systems alongside general practitioners and other healthcare professionals to provide conservative musculoskeletal treatments and lifestyle guidance. This model increases access to preventive care, reduces the burden on physicians, and provides better patient outcomes at lower costs.
The use of PP in chiropractic practice is widespread, although it is difficult to determine how many chiropractors and their patients actually use this strategy. In order to assess the level of PP in chiropractic, two independent researchers used the CHAL-SYN checklist and a modified version of the Public Health and Wellness through Chiropractic Assessment of Needs (PHWCAN) questionnaire.
