How to get faster relief & better results from your Chiropractic care.
Can Chiropractic help?
Your Chiropractor will assess if you need to be referred to any other health professional first, and if not, then problem areas of spinal function are identified. A recommended chiropractic care program of spinal adjustments, often combined with other forms of appropriate treatment will be based upon your age, condition, lifestyle, and unique spinal problem(s).
Specific spinal corrections – “adjustments”
The primary course of care will be specific chiropractic adjustments. This correction helps to restore the important biomechanical movement and control at a joint. There are hundreds of ways of using carefully directed and controlled pressure to restore better position and motion to ‘stuck’ or fixated spinal joints. This may require a quick thrust, or in other instances a slow, constant pressure. Sometimes, only one area of the spine is adjusted, and other times the entire spine will receive attention.
Some Chiropractors use only their hands while others will use special tables or instruments. Sometimes, the patient’s own body weight is used. Every Chiropractor has a preference based on training, clinical experience and the particular spinal problem of that patient.
Some adjusting approaches can produce a ‘popping’ or clicking sound. This sound is created by the shifting of gas and fluid in the joint. The presence or ‘loudness’ of this sound has little meaning and varies with each patient.
Chiropractic care is safe
Chiropractic adjustments are safer than aspirin, muscle relaxers, and back surgery. Dozens of research studies have documented the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments. When compared with traditional approaches, chiropractic care is remarkably safe. In fact, millions of chiropractic adjustments are safely delivered to patients every day.
Regardless of the technique, millions of patients have benefited and enjoyed chiropractic care since chiropractic was discovered in 1895.
Other procedures
Your chiropractor may recommend additional procedures or suggest other ways to help reduce inflammation, provide relief, or enhance the healing process. These may include ice, heat, physiotherapy & massage, rehabilitation, nutritional advice, exercises, or other procedures.
- Your chiropractor will probably use a push or pull to help get ‘stuck’ bones moving again.
- Sometimes a handheld instrument can be used to deliver a consistent and measured force.
- Some Chiropractors use a special table to traction and stretch the spine as it is adjusted.
- Certain approaches necessitate direct skin contact or the use of special instruments.
- Tables with drop-away sections can be used to direct or reduce the adjusting force.
- Naturally, adjusting methods are modified for each patient’s age, size, condition of the spine, & general health status.
References:
NZ Chiropractic Association www.chiropractic.org.nz
NZ Chiropractic Board www.chiropracticboard.org.nz
www.cromwellhealth.com
How long will it take?
Chiropractic results vary. Some patients get results quickly. Others find their recovery takes several months or longer. Children often respond quickly, while adults with long-standing spinal problems heal more slowly. The healing process takes time.
There are three stages of chiropractic care. Periodic progressive examinations help determine your course of care. Once you understand true health, you may want some type of ongoing chiropractic care. Like brushing your teeth, eating wholesome foods, and other healthy habits, a regular chiropractic checkup makes sense. How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
Initial intensive care
This is usually where most patients begin their chiropractic care. Visits can be frequent, depending upon the severity of your condition. The primary focus is to reduce or eliminate your most obvious symptoms.
Rehabilitation care
With your ache or pain diminished the objective is to stabilize spinal function and promote a more complete healing. Muscles and soft tissues of the spine are strengthened during this stage of care, helping to avoid a relapse.
Wellness or elective care
With the maximum restoration of spinal function, many patients enjoy regular chiropractic “checkups”. This type of preventative or wellness care can save time and money by keeping minor problems from becoming more serious.
Your health is your most valuable possession!
Early detection, before the onset of symptoms, is the key to fast, effective treatment and, more importantly, maximizing your health.