Do you have back or neck pain? You’re in good company.
Every year, more than 30 million people visit a chiropractic clinic for chronic neck and back pain.
More than 95% of them report that the treatments were effective and that they would continue to go to the chiropractor for adjustments.
If you’ve never been to a chiropractor you might be wondering why you should go, and what you can expect from a chiropractic clinic.
There are many reasons that people go in for chiropractic care. We’ll take you through the top 10 reasons that you should consider meeting with a chiropractor.
1. Chronic Pain
Chiropractors can work with patients who have neck and back pain that just won’t go away. They look at patients’ spinal alignment and perform gentle exercises that help get the spine back into place.
You may have a job that requires you to sit for eight to 10 hours per day, or you could be sleeping on an older mattress.
A chiropractic clinic takes a series of x-rays before they start working on their patients, to see if their patients have scoliosis or other chronic back problems.
Sciatica is the most common problem and can produce numbness and tingling in the legs. Chiropractors are trained to deal with this type of widespread problem and can offer relief to their patients.
2. Migraines
If you have migraines that last for more than 12 hours, you should consider going to a chiropractic clinic. Migraines often originate in the neck and leave sufferers with insomnia, shooting pain, and even hallucinations.
Chiropractic clinics can work with migraine sufferers to reduce their dependency on medication. They can gently align patients’ neck bones in order to help clear up chronic migraines.
When your spine and neck are not aligned properly, the body can send pain signals to other parts of the body. You may not realize it because you’re not in pain until a migraine starts.
Chiropractors are trained to deal with migraines, even the most severe cases.
3. Insomnia
Recent studies show that people who have insomnia have a drastically decreased quality of life. Not being able to get enough sleep can interfere with your work, your family life, and your hobbies.
Vertebral subluxations is a term that chiropractic clinics use to describe bones that are out of alignment. When your spine is not aligned, it can press on nerves and cause muscles to spasm out of control.
A chiropractic adjustment can help you get a good night’s sleep. Almost all of the patients in a recent study reported that, following a chiropractic adjustment, they were able to sleep through the night.
If you’re suffering from insomnia, you should know that you could have vertebral subluxations that you’re not even aware of. Sometimes, your spine could be out of alignment and you may not realize it until you go to the chiropractic clinic.
4. Stress
Do you constantly feel like you don’t have enough time to do everything? Are your kids driving you crazy?
Are little things just building up until you can’t take it anymore?
A chiropractic clinic will ask you questions about your daily stress levels. They are committed to helping their patients deal with stress through spinal adjustments.
You may be clenching your jaw and not even realize it for months. Then that pain spreads down into your shoulders and back, and before you know it, you’re at risk for a heart attack.
We offer a wide range of articles that are designed to help you deal with stress. Coupled with chiropractic treatment, you could be looking at a major shift in the way you deal with your stress.
5. Dependence on Pain Medication
If you’re worried that you’ll never be able to get off of pain medication, you’re not alone. More than 20% of all adults report that they have taken prescription pain medication for longer than they needed to.
There is a fine line between use and abuse of prescription pain medication, and a chiropractic clinic will help you wean yourself off of these strong drugs.
Too many people simply treat their symptoms and do not address the underlying problems. If your spinal cord is out of alignment, you will feel pain but it’s impossible to adjust your own spine.
Once the chiropractor adjusts your spine and neck, the chiropractic clinic doctors will come up with a treatment plan for you. Over the course of several weeks or months, you should notice that you have less pain – and less need to take addictive pain medications.
6. Brain Drain
Have you noticed that, as you get older, you think less clearly? Taking the time to go to a chiropractic clinic and get adjusted could improve your mental functioning.
Pain is distracting, and chronic pain can make you feel dull. Whether your vision is getting blurry or you just have trouble focusing on everyday tasks, a chiropractic adjustment can help you feel more alert and enthusiastic.
Studies show that patients who went to a chiropractic clinic and got an adjustment had better reaction times and clearer thinking.
These studies used scanning technology to see that certain areas of the brain were stimulated after a chiropractic adjustment.
If you’re worried that you’re losing your focus, try getting a chiropractic adjustment at Carolina Chirocare and Rehab. You could just be dealing with undiagnosed neck and back issues.
7. Trouble Sitting or Standing
You may have noticed that you’re not as productive at work as you used to be. People who use ergonomic chairs and desks, coupled with visits to chiropractic clinics, tend to be more creative and satisfied at work.
It’s not really a natural position to be in, stuck at a desk all day. Chiropractors can teach you stretches and exercises to do during the course of your day.
This way, you can extend the benefit of a chiropractic adjustment and keep working on your pain in between visits. Dancing at home can also help you stay flexible.
Your spine carries all of your weight and if you’re a bit overweight or have a sedentary lifestyle, you should get it examined on a regular basis.
Productivity at work is extremely important and many chiropractic patients report that they enjoy more flexibility and relief due to their adjustments.
8. Low Immunity
Are you one of those people who is constantly getting sick? It doesn’t have to be that way.
Taking the time to go to a chiropractic clinic could help you feel much better overall. Chiropractic adjustments increase the body’s production of monocytes, which are white blood cells that help you develop resistance to diseases.
If you’re always dealing with chronic pain, your body is spending its resources trying to combat that issue. Instead of working on its immunity, your body gets too caught up in taking care of the immediate problems.
Chiropractic clinics help people develop a program of nutrition and exercise that work together, along with the adjustments, to boost your immunity.
What to Expect at the Chiropractic Clinic
Make sure that you get to the chiropractic clinic a little bit early, in order to fill out any paperwork that they would need from you. Bring your ID and any insurance cards that you have.
Schedule an appointment at the chiropractic clinic for when you are able to lay down afterward for at least half an hour. Don’t do any strenuous activities right after you get an adjustment.
You will undergo a series of x-rays of your spine and neck, and your doctor will explain the results to you. If you need surgery, they will make the proper referrals.
People tend to think that chiropractic adjustment is painful, but you should experience little to no pain during the adjustment itself.
Doctors will use gentle pressure to coax your spine into alignment. They may also adjust your neck. You should feel minimal discomfort and a sense of relief when your neck and back move into better alignment.
After you get adjusted, you should feel much better for at least several days. Your chiropractor may want to see you more than once per week to make sure that your spine doesn’t fall out of alignment.
Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Whether you are recovering from a car accident or dealing with chronic pain, going to a chiropractic clinic is a great way to get started with your healing process.
The Bone and Joint Decade Task Force reports that spinal adjustment is a valid, effective way to deal with pain. You may also find that you lose weight after getting chiropractic work done and that you feel better overall.
Nobody wants to be dependent upon pain medication, and surgery can be an expensive and ineffective option. Taking the time to go to a chiropractic clinic and invest a few weeks or months in a non-surgical option could be a better choice.
Millions of adults have gotten chiropractic adjustments and report that they feel better and are more productive at work. If you feel like you have lost your motivation and spark, try getting adjusted before you turn to medications.
If you want to experience a chiropractic adjustment, schedule a visit with your local chiropractor. Chiropractic care could be your first step toward a pain-free life!