Chiropractic care
When you think of a chiropractor, you probably picture adjustments for neck or back pain. That’s natural – after all, chiropractic medicine does certainly tend to focus on the spine. But trained and experienced chiropractors are actually able to help you with a whole host of problems, many of them not directly pertaining to the spine. Here are 5 issues that your chiropractor can address that might surprise you. If you’re experiencing any of these, consult with a chiropractor. You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.
Migraines and Other Headaches
There’s almost nothing worse than a migraine. The intense pain, the sensitivity to sound and light and the nausea all contribute to a horrible experience. Although all the causes of migraines aren’t yet known, it’s clear that they’re often referred from the neck and lower spine.
Other types of headaches can be due to a huge variety of factors, from sinus infections to high blood pressure. However, one of the most common kinds is the tension headache. Over 90% of Americans experience a tension headache from time to time. Caused by tight muscles, they often result from improper posture and hours spent hunched over a computer or mobile device.
A good chiropractor can help relieve your headaches in several ways. Adjustments to the spine and facial bones can reduce referred pain, while expert advice can be provided regarding good posture and avoiding dietary headache triggers. A chiropractor may also offer exercises and relaxation techniques to help with headache symptoms.
Stress
We live in a high stress world and it’s very difficult to maintain a low stress environment and state of mind. Unfortunately, stress has real consequences for your body. It can both create pain and exacerbate existing pain as well as raise your blood pressure and damage your organ systems.
Chiropractic adjustments soothe irritated nerves and increase blood flow, lowering your body’s stress level by improving oxygen delivery and getting rid of stress hormones. Also, adjustments and soft tissue release are both relaxing, like a good therapeutic massage. A chiropractor can also advise you on vitamins and supplements to help you deal with stress, as well as recommending relaxation strategies.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is related to the body’s connective tissues. Fibromyalgia patients usually have painful trigger points that can become irritated and spread pain throughout the body. While the exact causes are still unknown, fibromyalgia usually appears in adulthood and disproportionately affects women, although men can still be affected by the condition.
Chiropractic takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to fibromyalgia. Utilizing the neuromuscular knowledge of chiropractors, areas of localized pain and trigger points can be treated with adjustments and soft tissue release. Spinal adjustments are employed to get to the root of the problem. This allows nerve impulses to travel more freely and provides general relaxation.
Immune System Problems
Do you find that you keep getting the same cold season after season? Are you or your child prone to frequent ear or sinus infections? The problem might be a weak immune system. While all the body’s systems are linked, the immune system and nervous system have an intimate relationship. Nerve impulses and messenger molecules from the spine directly affect immune responses.
By correcting subluxations, or small misalignments in the spine, chiropractic medicine improves the state of multiple body systems. Studies have suggested that eliminating subluxations increases white blood cell counts. Furthermore, since adjustments reduce stress, they thereby strengthen the immune system, which is very sensitive to stress levels.
Reduced Flexibility
Most people enjoy great flexibility during childhood and adolescence. The joints are supple and well-lubricated and the muscles are strong. There’s a reason most gold medal-winning gymnasts are young. However, aging causes joints to stiffen. Pain or lifestyle may prevent frequent exercise, and with disuse the joints deteriorate further. Range of motion is also decreased by disuse since scar tissue or capsular adhesions may form.
Chiropractic provides several excellent methods of increasing flexibility. Adjustments, both to the spine and limbs, limber up the muscles and joints. When performed routinely, regular adjustments can provide much improved flexibility. Furthermore, a chiropractor is able to offer expert advice on appropriate exercises that can be done in your own time for better range of motion and freer, less painful movement.
Chiropractor Dr. Weigle | Absolute Health Chiropractic | 2720 NW 6th St #1 | Gainesville, FL 32609 | (352) 377-7373