What Is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a patient-centred, hands-on health profession focusing on the spine, muscles, and joints. Utilising the latest evidence-based practices and clinical expertise, it diagnoses issues restricting movement in your body without using medication or surgery as treatment options.
Chiropractors care for people of all ages and abilities, emphasising prevention, diagnosis and conservative care. Spinal manipulation (spinal adjustments) reduces pain and enhances function for these individuals.
Preventive Care
Preventive care is an integral component of chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors are highly-trained professionals who take pride in their work and strive to give their patients the highest possible standard of health and wellness.
A proactive approach to healthcare can significantly improve your quality of life, and individuals and their families widely appreciate the advantages of preventative care. For example, if you’ve ever taken an oil service or HVAC check-up for your car or heating/air conditioning systems, these services help prevent breakdowns and keep them running optimally.
The spine is the primary structural support for your body, and if it’s misaligned or out of alignment, it can have serious repercussions for physical health and well-being. For example, poor posture, lifting technique, stress or sitting for extended periods can shift vertebrae out of place, causing subluxations that cause pain and discomfort throughout various body areas.
Many chiropractors SA also provide their patients with preventive care, such as dietary advice and exercise programs. These techniques are based on chiropractic biophysics principles, which strive to correct subluxations by scientifically realigning the spine while relieving pressure from delicate nerves that pass through bones.
These methods can be invaluable assets to any chiropractic treatment program. Not only will they promote optimal spinal and nervous system health, but they’ll also aid in your overall well-being.
Effective preventative care requires a long-term commitment from both patients and chiropractors. A close connection between them and frequent visits is ideal for reinforcing health promotion messages and encouraging self-care habits.
Studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of maintenance care. Most were born in Australia, where chiropractors often use it as a secondary or tertiary preventive measure. It should be noted that these estimates are based solely on practitioners’ opinions and do not represent exact counts of patient files.
Chiropractors have been working closely with public health and health promotion specialists to assess their prevention practices to strengthen their capacity for implementing evidence-based strategies. Some of these efforts have been documented in chiropractic journals, while AHRQ or other organisations funded others. Together these researchers produced numerous original prevention-focused research reports.
Pain Relief
Chiropractic is a non-surgical form of pain management that targets the spine. It entails manipulative techniques, stretches and exercises that may temporarily relieve chronic back pain, neck pain and headaches.
The spine is an intricate system composed of vertebrae, discs and nerves that run throughout the body to connect muscles, organs and other structures. When any part of this complex structure becomes misaligned or stressed, it could exert undue strain on different parts of the body, ultimately resulting in pain.
Chiropractors use specific manipulations of the spine and joints to realign them, often with a gentle touch. The aim is to restore proper function to the body.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of spinal manipulation as a treatment for lower back pain. This therapy can reduce discomfort, enhance function, and even relieve migraines.
If you are experiencing back pain, a chiropractor SA will first examine your spine to identify what might be causing it. They then craft an effective plan to reduce discomfort and enhance overall well-being.
In certain instances, your chiropractor may also treat other areas of the body. For example, they may use traction to gently stretch joints and increase the range of motion or manipulate soft tissue to stop muscle spasms and reduce tenderness.
Your chiropractor SA may also provide lifestyle advice to prevent future injuries or chronic pain. It could include tips on proper posture, how to walk or sit without straining your back and eating foods that promote wellness.
A 61-year-old woman suffering from widespread pain following a motor vehicle accident three years prior was referred to a federally qualified health centre for chiropractic care. She experienced neck, low back, and knee pain and was taking opioid pain medication for her condition. After six months of chiropractic treatment at the facility, she reported improved pain levels, reduced opioid dependence and enhanced quality of life.
The patient received several adjustments to her spine and neck that successfully relieved her pain. Furthermore, she was encouraged to adopt new lifestyle habits and begin participating in exercise regularly.