Chiropractic is more than just easing pain and improving spinal alignment. It may also boost energy levels, improve sleep and increase flexibility.
Rather than using pain medication, which can provide only temporary relief, chiropractors focus on discovering and treating the underlying cause of discomfort. This approach has earned them high customer satisfaction survey scores.
1. Increased Energy
Most people know that chiropractic care is great for alleviating back pain, but this hands-on healthcare modality has much more to offer. Chiropractic is known for restoring spinal alignment and eliminating interference to the nervous system, which profoundly affects quality of life and overall health.
Chiropractors focus on the musculoskeletal system and use manual manipulation to reduce spinal joints that are locked up or not moving correctly. This reduces muscle fatigue and improves the nervous system’s ability to communicate throughout the body.
Many healthcare experts believe that patients are able to stay well with less medication and fewer invasive procedures when they get regular chiropractic care. In fact, a clinical trial showed that low back pain initiated by DCs saved 20 to 40 percent on costs compared with medical care alone.
For this reason, health plans are increasingly allowing members to see DCs for routine care at no extra cost. For example, Sam’s Club now offers a variety of wellness bundles for its members, including chiropractic care, which can help decrease out-of-pocket health care spending for its members.
2. Better Sleep
Aside from easing back and neck pain, chiropractic has been shown to improve:
Headaches and migraines: Chiropractors can ease headaches by correcting spinal issues that put pressure on nerves that connect the spine and head. This can also alleviate neck and shoulder tension that contributes to these conditions.
Digestion: Regular chiropractic care can help reduce acid reflux and stomach problems by addressing the nervous system in the thoracic spine, or middle back. This is because the nervous system controls how the body digests food, while misalignments can interfere with this function.
Sports performance: Chiropractors can treat musculoskeletal injuries such as muscle strains, tendinitis, and arthritis by using manual therapy to restore proper alignment of the spine and joints. This improves the performance of athletes by reducing pain and inflammation while boosting their immune systems to fight infections.
Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners, meaning they can see patients without a referral from their doctor. Their scope of practice includes examination, diagnosis and treatment of health conditions related to the bones, muscles and joints (musculoskeletal problems). They are trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle advice.
3. Weight Loss
Using spinal manipulation, chiropractors address misalignments in the spine to improve posture and body mechanics during exercise. This can reduce the risk of injury and maximize workouts to promote weight loss.
Studies show that chiropractic adjustments can provide moderate improvements in short-term back pain alongside standard medical care, and they may be safer than opioids. They may also reduce osteoarthritis, which is caused by the degeneration of cartilage in a joint that causes the ends of bones to rub together.
Spinal misalignments disrupt the communication between the nervous system and immune system, which can impact overall health and wellness. Regular chiropractic adjustments help to ensure the spine is aligned and the immune system is working properly.
The emotional support and accountability offered by a chiropractor can also make it easier to stick with healthy eating habits and a regular fitness routine to encourage weight loss. Additionally, reducing stress levels can help balance the body’s hormones and lead to healthier eating choices, better sleep, and an improved outlook. This is a vital component of achieving long-term success with weight loss goals.
4. Increased Flexibility
Whether you’re an athlete who wants to optimize performance or someone who just struggles with the stiffness and lack of flexibility associated with age, chiropractic can help. A chiropractor’s trained eyes and hands can see subtle misalignments in the spine that lead to stiffness, and then they use specialized adjustments to correct these problems and improve spinal biomechanics. This, in turn, leads to better mobility and flexibility.
Chiropractic techniques also address soft tissues like muscles, ligaments and tendons to help you regain flexibility. In fact, many professional and Olympic athletes rely on chiropractic care to keep them in peak form.
Flexibility is critical for a range of activities, from reaching the top shelf at the grocery store to craning your neck to look at the stars. Having a flexible body can make these everyday activities less painful and more enjoyable. Regular chiropractic care can also intercept health problems that are related to poor flexibility, such as sprains and strains. A chiropractor can guide you through a variety of stretching exercises and stretches to prevent these issues.
5. Reduced Stress
Stress is a part of life, but chronic and excessive stress can have negative effects on the spine and overall health. Regular chiropractic care, specifically spinal manipulation, reduces the nervous system’s reaction to stress and improves mental health by reducing anxiety and depression.
Spinal misalignments interfere with the nervous system’s ability to function properly, which can exacerbate stress and tension. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper function to the spine and nervous system, lowering stress levels and promoting a healthier, happier lifestyle.
Even without pain, spinal adjustment improves your posture and joint mobility to prevent cartilage deterioration and decrease the chance of developing osteoarthritis in the future. Exercise, good sleep and healthy eating are other natural ways to relieve stress, lowering your stress hormone levels and improving your mood.
If you have back pain or neck pain, chiropractic treatment is a noninvasive and drug-free approach to relief. Depending on your individual condition, your chiropractor may recommend a combination of treatments to reach your pain-relief goals. For best results, a chiropractor Mulgrave will work with you to develop a comprehensive pain management plan that incorporates healthy habits and other therapies, like physical therapy or massage.
