A chiropractor is a health professional who uses physical manipulation to restore alignment to the body’s musculoskeletal structures, particularly the spine. Misalignments can interfere with the transmission of nerve signals and cause pain, inflammation, and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Chiropractors also use a holistic approach to care that may include exercise, nutrition, and education on health-related topics.
Spinal alignment affects everything from your posture to your immune system. Proper spinal alignment allows your nervous system to function optimally so you can have a healthy, active lifestyle free of pain, disease, and poor performance. In fact, proper spinal alignment is so vital that some professional athletes have chiropractors on their teams to keep their spines in top shape to ensure optimal performance and prevent injury.
Chiropractic is a non-invasive form of medical treatment. It is an alternative to medication and surgery and is based on the principle that the body can heal itself when it is in a state of balance and harmony. A chiropractor will work with you to determine the root of the issue and help you manage your symptoms through natural means such as diet, exercise, and massage.
The benefits of chiropractic are numerous. It has been shown to reduce pain, improve range of motion, increase energy, and enhance athletic and overall physical performance. Chiropractic can also reduce the need for prescription pain relievers by treating the source of the pain rather than masking it with drugs. One study in particular showed that patients who saw a chiropractor for neck pain received fewer prescriptions for opioid pain relievers than those who didn’t.
While the majority of chiropractic treatments focus on the spine, a chiropractor can also work on other muscles, joints, and bones in your body. For example, a chiropractor can address the neck and shoulder injuries that can develop from sleeping in poor positions or from slouching at your desk for eight hours a day. They can even treat the hips, knees, and ankles if they are being affected by spinal misalignment.
During a chiropractic session, the practitioner will assess your pain and history of any injuries or illnesses. They will then physically examine you by examining your posture, checking reflexes, and moving your joints. They can also order X-rays, computerized tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to get a more thorough look at your condition and to see the severity of your spinal misalignment. During spinal manipulation, the chiropractor will move your body in various positions to help reposition vertebrae or extremity joints, remove any adhesions, and improve mobility. These techniques can be done manually or with the aid of an instrument. Manual traction involves the chiropractor sitting or lying down while they gently stretch your body in specific directions to relieve pressure on painful joints or nerves. To learn more about the benefits of chiropractic spinal adjustment, contact visit your local family chiropractor in Atlanta today.