For many of us, chiropractors and what they do are a bit of a mystery. Some think it’s nothing more than a person cracking your back till it pops. There is a very specific science to it, however, and this article will help you understand what chiropractic is and how it can benefit you.
The Various Types of Treatments Chiropractors Use
While there are 100 or more treatments available worldwide, most chiropractors will specialize in a dozen or so and build their practice around that approach. Because of this, you may find three different methods of treatment if you visit three different chiropractors. Since the goal is to relieve pressure on the nerves of your spine, your body will be able to heal itself much more effectively. Chiropractic also reduces joint pain and inflammation.
When adjusting your spine, you can hear the popping sounds, which is the sound of joints and bones being restored to their proper alignment. The doctor will manually feel your spine and neck and be able to tell what needs to be adjusted to restore balance. Depending on the type of adjustment, there are several types of chiropractic tables to ensure that your body is positioned exactly right.
There are three common treatment approaches. First, the misaligned bones and joints are identified and the chiropractor will apply a short thrust quickly to that area, correcting one joint at a time in order to increase complete range of motion.
Another common technique is known as the Gonstead adjustment and it also quite diverse in benefits. It deals with specifically adjusting certain parts of the body in order to treat a certain joint that is misaligned. This is often accomplished with the use of special tables or chairs so the patient is in the correct position for the adjustment. The chest-knee type of table or the cervical chair are employed often.
The Thompson Terminal Point is the third technique used quite commonly. You may also hear it referred to as “Drop.” This is because of the special table used where a section of the table will drop quickly as the chiropractor makes his adjustment to your spine. It is considered to be a bit more of a gentle technique since you don’t often hear the cracking or popping that you do with other approaches. However, the joint and bone is still moving and many people enjoy this type of adjustment.
Still another popular approach is spine mobilization. It’s used when a gentle method is needed, such as treating osteoporosis. It is not a forceful action and depending on the size of the patient, their age, and their comfort or anxiety level, this is a great treatment method since there are no twisting or harsh motions. There are several techniques used in spinal mobilization. One is the use of a device held in the hand and is a spring loaded tool used manually to deliver a low-force type of impulse. The patient is positioned on the table face down while the doctor checks the length of the legs, which reveals problems in hip alignment, and the hand held tool will adjust the joints and spine gently.
Another technique is called the CoxFlexion distraction, and adjusts gently by slow, repetitive lower spine stretches. There is also another approach in which the patient himself chooses the position used by the chiropractor to reduce their pain and inflammation. This is known as the McKenzie Method.
The chiropractor may also use release work to correct individual vertebrae with his fingertips. Still one other treatment is called Sacro-Occipital and it’s used by the patient lying down with wedges or soft blocks placed beneath their pelvis. The combination of the chiropractor using low force, as well as gravity, will realign the spine and pelvis.
Many chiropractors will also treat patients with heat, cold or massage. Also, they may use electrical stimulation such as a TENS unit to help the nerves and muscles relax and heal.
The patient will have a lengthy chat about their symptoms and the chiropractor can choose the best treatment plan, which is individual for each person. Chiropractic is a wonderfully effective way to reduce pain and help the body heal. The benefits are huge and are often times much more effective than conventional medical treatments.
For more information on chiropractors and what they can offer you, call the office of Dr. Strickland at 843-449-1000.
Carolina Wellness & Rehab
1211 48th Ave N Little River, SC 29577
(843) 249-9787