When Should You See a Chiropractor?
We will all experience minor neck pain, back pain, shoulder problems or hip discomfort at some point in our lives. It can stem from day to day stress or an old injury. Either way, chiropractic care can help relieve the tension that has built up by realigning the joints that have become misaligned.
In fact, chiropractors can help patients with a wide range of injuries and conditions. If back pain, decreased range of motion or neck pain (or another musculoskeletal issue) is preventing you from living your life, seeing a chiropractor might be worth considering. Here are some signs that an appointment with a chiropractor may be necessary:
You Have a Pinched or Irritated Nerve
A pinched or irritated nerve can cause pain, numbness, weakness, tingling, muscle spasms or a combination of these symptoms. The severity and location will depend on which nerve is affected.
A pinched nerve occurs when there is misalignment of the spinal column, putting pressure on the nerves in your neck or back that run through the rest of your body. This causes inflammation in the surrounding tissues, which then causes pain to radiate from the back, neck and shoulders down into the arms/hands/fingers/toes/feet. Headaches can also occur. Other sensations can include burning, extreme cold, or stiffness.
Spinal manipulation by a chiropractor places the vertebrae back into their natural anatomic alignment, allowing the nervous system to return to normal function. If you have a herniated disc in your spine, a chiropractor will evaluate your condition with a physical exam before making any spinal adjustments.
Back Pain Prevents You From Living Your Life
Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including lifting heavy objects, poor posture and prolonged stress. Back pain, whether it’s upper or lower back pain, can be very frustrating and often limits normal day-to-day activities. Like the treatment options for pinched nerves, chiropractic adjustments to the spine place the vertebrae back into alignment to relieve your muscle pain.
Neck Pain Limits Your Daily Activities
Neck pain can sideline you when it’s severe. Afterall, your neck is made up of many bones, muscles, and ligaments that work together to allow your head to move in different directions. Some common causes of neck pain include the following:
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- Neck injury or trauma from an accident
- Muscle strain from repetitive movements like working at a desk for long periods of time or driving for a long distance
- Degeneration caused caused by aging
Whether neck pain is part of your daily life or the result of a recent strain, chiropractic care can likely provide the relief you’ve been looking for.
Migraines Are Hampering Your Work
Migraines are a common cause of work absences, and many people choose to treat them with medications. However, chiropractic care can be extremely effective, plus, it doesn’t involve medications. In some cases, acupuncture may be beneficial when used in tandem with chiropractic treatment, as well.
Migraines are often characterized by pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound. The pain can be located on one side of the head or spread over both sides (the severity of symptoms varies from person to person) and can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours (3 days).
Sports Injuries Are Causing You Pain
Sports injuries are perhaps the most common reason for people to visit a chiropractor. Sports injuries can be caused by overuse, an accident, poor technique, and poor equipment.
Injuries typically occur during strenuous activities like running, jumping and lifting heavy weights. They may also happen during less intense activities, though, such as walking around at home or playing a sport you’ve never played before.
If you’re in pain after participating in a sport, a chiropractor may be able to get you back on the court/field/course sooner than you expect!
Injuries From a Car Accident Are Bothering You
Car accidents are common and are often the source of lingering pain due to injury, such as whiplash. If you’ve been in a car accident recently (or even within the last couple of years), it’s a good idea to get checked out by a chiropractor if you’re still experiencing pain on a regular basis.
Your chiropractor may take x-rays to determine if your pain is due to an injury or other factors, such as muscle strain. The sooner you go in for a chiropractic visit, the faster you’ll be able to recover.
If You Have General Pain
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, and your primary care provider has determined that it’s not the result of a chronic condition like arthritis or fibromyalgia, then a chiropractor might be able to help:
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- You have pain in your lower back, neck or shoulder that doesn’t go away on its own or after resting.
- Your knees or hips hurt when moving around.
- Your headaches get worse when bending over or twisting.
Don’t Live With Chronic Pain
Chiropractic treatment is an ideal method to achieve pain relief and regain range of motion without the harmful side effects of prescription pain relievers or the recovery time of surgery.
Chiropractic care addresses many types of pain, including low back pain, neck pain, joint pain, sciatica, numbness or tingling, and other concerns related to nerve entrapment, headaches, and migraines.
Our healthcare specialists are ready to work with you to develop a treatment plan for your medication-free pain management. Afterall, improving your overall health and allowing you to live pain-free is our mission! Contact the chiropractic offices of Meridian HealthCare today!
