How we treat?
Chiropractic treatment mainly involves safe, often gentle, specific adjustments, done by hand, to free joints in the spine or other areas of the body that are not moving properly. Most often, this requires a short thrust to a joint that can result in an audible release, and may bring relief of symptoms as well as an increased feeling of well-being. The release is simply the sound of bubbles of gas popping in the fluid of the joint as the pressure is released. This effective, drug-free treatment is generally painless, although you may feel some short term discomfort if your back is very sore.
Apart from the adjustment, your chiropractor may use a wide variety of techniques including, ice, heat, ultrasound and exercises. If you have any questions about any of these, just ask.
Treating the cause, not the symptoms
As you go through life, a slight loss of proper movement of the bones/joints can interfere with the healthy working of your spine and the nerves that pass through it. This can lead to pain. Chiropractic, unlike painkilling drugs, treats the cause of the pain, not just the pain itself. Your chiropractor will carry out a full examination and ask you questions about your posture, medical history and lifestyle, to try and discover the cause of your back pain and offer a diagnosis of your complaint. Chiropractors also usually recommend you stay active throughout the course of your treatment as prolonged bed rest weakens the bones and muscles thus reducing your chances of a full recovery.
How long will chiropractic take to work?
Guidelines for medical practitioners state that spinal manipulation can help back pain, especially if carried out within the first 6 weeks. The longer you have been in pain, the longer it may take to improve with treatment. Your chiropractor will advise you of your likely recovery time and how to minimize the chances of the problem happening again. Early treatment is important but chiropractors are also effective at treating long-standing or chronic pain.