What does chiropractic treatment consist of?

Have you ever thought about needing your spine squeezed and massaged to feel better ? Professionally done, it's called chiropractic, and believe it or not, it's an alternative medicine for pain relief.

For over 100 years, chiropractic has been a discipline used to diagnose and treat health problems associated with muscles, bones, and joints. Treatment is performed through spinal manipulation by a specialist.

Through its Greek etymological origin, the word chiropractic means " to perform with the hands ." This is due to the importance of hands during patient care and diagnosis.

Is chiropractic medicine a therapy that works? Keep reading and we'll tell you all about this discipline . But first, here's this True or False test to find out how much you know about chiropractic :

Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Treatment

What happens during the first visit to a chiropractor?

According to the specialized website MedLinePlus , in most cases, the first visit to a chiropractor lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. The specialist, who must be specially licensed to practice chiropractor, will ask questions about personal treatment goals and conduct a general review of the patient's medical history.

• Past or pre-existing injuries and illnesses
• Current health problems
• Medication use
• Lifestyle
• Eating habits
• Bedtime habits
• Exercise Practice
• Causes of Stress
• Consumption of alcohol, drugs or tobacco

After these routine questions, the chiropractor will perform a general physical exam focused on finding the source of the pain . He or she may check the patient's blood pressure, take X-rays of the spine, and perform some lumbar mobility tests.

Who can go to a chiropractor?

According to the Argentine Chiropractic Organization , anyone who is alive and has a spine can go to a chiropractor without any problem.

In his words: “ There are no contraindications to receiving chiropractic care. Anyone will benefit from a body free of vertebral subluxations, regardless of the situation they are facing. The chiropractor will choose the most comfortable and effective evaluation method for each individual case.”

In this sense, the organization explains that it is not necessary to be in pain to see a chiropractor , but that it can help improve our quality of life, whether we are children, the elderly, adults, pregnant women, or people with disabilities.

In contrast to the above, Spanish Arthritis points out that chiropractic treatment could be potentially harmful for people with inflamed joints, lupus, osteoporosis, or some form of arthritis affecting the spine.

That's why they recommend only undergoing chiropractic treatment with licensed, experienced professionals. A cervical injury caused by ignorance or incompetence could be irreversible.

VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION: THE MOST COMMON CAUSE FOR VISITING A CHIROPRACTOR

The Straight Chiropractic website explains that a vertebral subluxation is the loss of a vertebra's normal position relative to the vertebra above it, the vertebra below it, or both. This causes interference in our nervous system.

When this displacement occurs, the peripheral nerves of the spine are compressed , and the information we receive from the brain and that is directed toward our organs and muscles does not reach us with the intensity it should.

Causes of subluxation and possible solutions

Injuries that can occur during sports, from sleeping in a poor posture, or from anything related to movement and the ergonomics of our back.

Use a pillow that's right for your sleeping style ; one that helps keep your body and neck aligned. It should be the ideal height and made of the right material.

Another method to prevent subluxation is to use ergonomic cushions that support our backs while we sit for long periods of time. They come in many sizes and shapes, and they provide support in specific areas of our body.

Chemical causes:

Some believe that poor diet, excessive alcohol or smoking, or abusing medications and/or legal and illegal drugs could also lead to vertebral subluxation.

They recommend improving eating habits, exercising regularly, abandoning a sedentary lifestyle, and visiting a doctor if you need medication or experience any persistent ailments.

According to some theories, suffering from some type of phobia, panic attacks, or stress can predispose us to a cervical disorder such as a subluxation.

First, they always recommend consulting a specialist as a first step. Recreational activities, rest, and improving your habits can also prevent injuries and neck pain.

What are Chiropractic Adjustments?

Chiropractic adjustments are the spinal manipulations performed by a chiropractor using his or her hands . To perform these movements, the patient may be asked to lie on a special table or stretcher.

For the most common adjustment, the chiropractor moves a spinal joint to its maximum range of motion , followed by gentle compression. The intent of this movement is to "realign" the spinal bones so they are straight.

But it's not all about strength and twisting. This type of therapy also includes massages and manual work on soft tissues (muscles and tendons).

Do you know the benefits of using car cushions? Here's a list.

What happens after a chiropractic session?

Practitioners indicate that while treatment should not be uncomfortable or painful, some people may experience discomfort after a chiropractic session.

They may also experience stiffness and fatigue for several days after a manipulation and indicate that this could be due to their body adjusting to its new alignment.

Physical problems are never magically resolved through massage or alternative medicine; they may have a root cause, and this must be traced through specific studies and analysis.

If you have lower back, neck, joint, or muscle problems, it is recommended that you consult a specialized physician before beginning any treatment outside the traditional medical community.