Have you noticed lately that more of your grocery bill is going towards Ibuprofen, or other pain relievers, to try and treat that chronic pain in your back or neck that won’t go away? What many people don’t realize is that pain relievers only treat symptoms, and not the actual source of the pain. Chronic and acute pain are signs of more serious issues that need to be treated by a licensed, experienced health care professional. When you have pain that won’t go away, it’s time to see a chiropractor.
When Should You See a Chiropractor?
Before getting their license, chiropractors are required to complete a rigorous four-year Doctor of Chiropractic degree program, in addition to completing an undergraduate degree. Chiropractors use manual therapy, applying controlled, gentle force to spinal joints to correct structural alignment of the spine. When the spine is aligned and functions correctly, tension in muscles is released, leading to pain relief. Back pain is only one condition chiropractors can treat. Here are five reasons you should see a chiropractor:
Acute and Chronic Back Pain
Back can come from many sources: sports injuries or injuries caused by automobile accidents, arthritis, poor posture, or the simple, daily action of sitting at a desk for hours at a time. While many who experience back pain hope it will go away on its own, a recent study found that 33 percent of people who suffered from back pain experienced it for 30 days or more. If left untreated, back pain can affect patients for a long time after it first occurs. A chiropractor can not only locate the source of the pain, but can also help release tension in the body and relieve the pain.
Headaches and Migraines
For those who suffer from migraines—extremely painful, recurring headaches—life comes to a grinding halt. Migraines can have additional symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, visual disturbances, and feelings of numbness or tingling in different parts of the body. In a recent study, 49 percent of migraine sufferers who received spinal manipulation treatment “reported a significant reduction of the intensity of each migraine.” While there is no cure for migraines, alternative treatments like chiropractic care can help patients manage their pain.
Pain, Numbness, or Tingling in the Legs or Feet
When you experience pain that travels down your leg, or if you have numbness or tingling sensations in your legs or feet, it may be caused by a herniated disc. Discs are the soft tissue that exist between the vertebrae in the spine. When a disc is damaged or weakened, it can cause pain, tingling, or numbness in different parts of the body. By doing an extensive examination, a chiropractor can determine the source of the problem and map out a course of treatment that will help relieve the patient’s pain.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
“Repetitive Strain Injury” is a term that refers to musculoskeletal problems experienced by office workers who overuse certain muscles, tendons, joints and nerves. Repetitive Strain Injuries can cause pain in the forearms, elbows, hands, wrists and fingers. Repetitive Strain Injuries may also cause pain and stiffness in the neck and upper back. By using specific spinal adjustments, a good chiropractor can restore normal function to muscles and joints.
Uneven Wear on the Soles of Your Shoes
Like the uneven tread that occurs on the tires of a car, you may notice the tread on the bottom of your shoes wearing unevenly. Uneven wear on the soles of your shoes can indicate problems with gait and posture. As we age, problems with gait and posture can lead to pain in the neck, shoulders, back, knees, hips, and feet. Many people associate a visit to the chiropractor with relief from preexisting neck or back pain; however, by helping patients achieve correct posture, a chiropractor can actually help prevent pain before it happens, saving the patient years of trouble.
If you find yourself spending a lot of money on pain relievers to treat that pain that just won’t go away, or if you find that you have orthopedic problems that have not improved through conventional treatment, it’s time call a chiropractor. Chiropractors offer a safe, drug-free treatment option to ease tension in muscles and relieve pain, helping patients get back to living a normal, pain-free life.
Daniel Berlin is the owner/operator of Berlin Chiropractic. He and his staff work hard to ensure that all of their patients receive top-notch care at an affordable price. For more information, please visit http://berlinchiropractic.com/