Issues that a Chiropractor Commonly Treats

Most people go to a chiropractor for neck and back pain. However, these are not the only issues that chiropractors treat. They also treat other common ailments that affect the bones, joints, and nerves. Some people even go to chiropractors for recurring headaches. Many believe chiropractors can improve their overall health through massage and stretching.

Role of the chiropractor in treating health problems

Chiropractors treat the problems related to the structure of the body. Their goals are to relieve the pain and improve the function, but not prescribe drugs or do surgery. Chiropractors do manual manipulation and spinal adjustment. These techniques get the body parts in the correct position. The proper alignment of the spine also gives balance to the body.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems

TMJ problems refer to three conditions: discomfort in the jaw joints and muscles, inflammatory diseases, and disc/jaw dislocation. It is difficult to chew food and open and close the mouth when there is pain in the jaw and ear. A chiropractor can relieve the pain because the technique relaxes the muscles. It also adjusts the joints and repositions the jaw.

Back pains and strains

When people lift heavy objects and put too much pressure on the muscles, sprains and strains happen. This also happens when people do strenuous activities. When athletes do not properly warm up before a game, they also pull their muscles. The job of the chiropractor is to activate the body’s self-healing properties. Chiropractors do this through spinal manipulation and adjustment.

Cervicogenic headaches

This type of headache occurs from the neck and up to the head. The pain appears to be dull, but the intensity can get worse. Most people mistake cervicogenic headaches for migraines and cluster headaches. A combination of chiropractic adjustment and massage can solve recurring chronic headaches, whether due to tension, stress, migraine, and other factors.

Children’s health issues

A chiropractor can also do treatments on children. The children’s central nervous system is directly connected to a range of issues. These include ear infections, acid reflux, and asthma. Children with autism, ADD, and ADHD also show improvement during chiropractic treatments.

Herniated disc

A herniated disc causes discomfort for a long time. In fact, some people can still have a hard time moving because of a previous injury. This condition happens when a fragment of the nucleus pulposus presses on a nerve root. Chiropractors do spinal manipulation to adjust and correct the spine. The technique can stop the disc’s deterioration.

Whiplash

A car accident causes whiplash, which is a type of neck pain. It causes stiffness and pain in the neck and even results in dizziness when turning the head. Aside from spinal adjustment techniques, the chiropractor will also ask patients to exercise and stretch at home. They will also teach patients how to correctly apply hot and cold packs.