How Chiropractors can help with pain management

Chiropractors are known to provide diagnosis and treatment of MSK conditions. They can help family physicians, nurse practitioners, as well as other medical professionals by freeing up time for various causes. Chiropractic care has been found in some instances to reduce the need for diagnostic imaging procedures such as MRI or CT scans which could be an expensive solution with no guarantee that it will do much good at all!

Chiropractor is a term used broadly across multiple health professions, including neurologists and physiotherapists. The main role of a chiropractor is to assess the condition and create a personalized therapy plan based on conservative treatments. Some (non-invasive) methods include spinal manipulation through manual techniques along with postural correction exercises etc., thereby reducing reliance on more invasive therapies like drugs or surgery.

Patients often don’t know what to do when they experience chronic pain. Chiropractors can help by educating them on how the body works, encouraging movement, and teaching self-management strategies for managing their condition.

Here are 5 areas that Chiropractic Care helps with pain management.

1. Chiropractic rehabilitative exercises

• If you are looking to improve your muscular strength and control, a chiropractor can prescribe rehabilitative exercises. Once proper exercise mechanics are demonstrated, a self-directed program of home exercises is appropriate. Strains or sprains in athletes may require more specific sports performance training which could include retraining some basic skills like throwing a ball, for example
• Athletes who suffer from strains or sprain injuries often end up needing rehabilitation with drills that focus on improving their overall muscle tone as well as stretching out any tightness to avoid further injury. A great way for an athlete suffering from strain/sprain condition to get back into shape would be by using a supervised routine at home where they practice the proper form and technique while performing each individual drill until it becomes natural for that area to function the way it should.

2. Chiropractic Ergonomics

• Chiropractors are specialists who evaluate the way a patient uses their body when performing activities and then suggest changes to avoid further problems. They often encourage patients to try out different exercises, make lifestyle adjustments such as eating healthy foods or sleeping better, and even help design specialized ergonomic devices for work that might be causing muscle strain or back pain.

3. Chiropractic joint mobilization and manipulation

• Joint mobilization and manipulation are a highly important part of chiropractic care. It can help restore normal biomechanics in the joints, which is something that many other types of medical professionals cannot do.

4. Chiropractic spinal mobilization and manipulation

• The back of our bodies is a complex and unique system. The backbone, or spine, can become compressed with stress on the discs between each vertebra from lack of movement for long periods. A chiropractor has extensive training in spinal mobilization and manipulation to relieve pressure so your body heals itself naturally without surgery or medication. Benefits include less pain as well as increased range of motion that leads to improved quality of life.

5. Chiropractic soft tissue therapy

• Soft tissue therapy techniques can be used to help restore and rehabilitate the muscles, ligaments, tendons to their normal length. They also break down scar tissues and adhesions in joints which will assist with movement within the joint itself as well as improving blood flow throughout your body.

A 2016 study of Medicare recipients found that areas with more chiropractic usage had lower opioid use. The researchers believe the reason for this is because a visit to the chiro provides immediate relief and does not require taking any medication which, unlike physical therapy, can be addictive or dangerous if taken incorrectly.

One surprising 2017 finding was an inverse relationship between regional rates of back pain treatment via manual adjustment from a chiropractor and prescription opioids given by doctors in hospitals near those regions – at least within states where both are available providers.

According to data collected through surveys sent out to patients who received these services during 2013-2015, there appeared less need for narcotic prescriptions when people were able than when they weren’t receiving care from their local doctor specializing in spinal manipulation.

 

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