Many people think that seeking out chiropractic care is something to do if they are specifically experiencing back or neck pain, as these are the most common reasons why people make an initial appointment with a chiropractor. But chiropractic does much more than treat neck and back pain.
It can help with a variety of ailments from headaches to digestive issues, and address problems from infant colic to arthritic pain in the elderly. It also does more than help with issues that are episodic in nature, or the result of a specific injury. Matter of fact, regular trips to the chiropractor are a good idea for many reasons. Here are three important benefits that you’ll get from getting chiropractic adjustments on a regular basis.
Taking an Active Role in Your Health
Chiropractic is a holistic kind of care that has a chiropractor serve as a guide as your own body uses its own innate ability to heal itself. When you see a chiropractor or an Assisted Stretch Therapist on a regular basis, even if there is not a pressing problem, you are taking an active role in assuring you are in the best health you can be.
Chiropractic adjustments correct misalignments in the spine that may be blocking nerve function and causing pain to muscles, joints, and ligaments. When you are adjusted by a chiropractor, these blocks are removed and you are able to move and function better than you did before.
A chiropractor can also provide you with nutritional and lifestyle advice, including exercises you can do between visits that will improve strength, flexibility, and various other functions. Without your active participation and cooperation, the success of chiropractic diminishes, so you can feel good about taking responsibility for your own health.
Improve Neurological Conditions and Functions
The spine connects to several different areas of the body, including the brain. Adjustments have been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, which in turn improves function in many areas.
The brain and spine are frequent communicators, and the nervous system is often the “wires” that are used to assure proper communication. Stress can trigger misalignments and the breakdown in these systems. Chiropractic is able to identify when stress is placed on these nerves, and has even been shown to increase white blood cell count in some patients.
Reduced or Eliminated Need for Pain Medications
One of the cornerstones of chiropractic is that it does not rely on pain medications or surgery in order to treat pain. Instead, it is designed to trigger your body’s own ability to heal itself without drugs and surgery.
Through methods such as manual adjustment, massage, and electrical muscle stimulation, chiropractic strengthens communication throughout the body in order to help it heal naturally. Chiropractors use important diagnostic tools such as x-rays, laboratory analysis, and reviewing your health history to pursue a treatment plan.
Conversely, when misalignments are allowed to build up over time, there is a greater risk that you will be tempted to seek out pain medications in order mask pain temporarily. While occasional use of these is okay, over time they can build up in the system and damage liver function, so it is important to find other methods of pain management whenever possible.
In closing, chiropractic benefits the overall health of people that utilize it consistently. So if you’re ready to experience these benefits yourself, just pick up the phone and give us a call. We’re here to help!