Chiropractors are trained professionals who use the theory of mechanical force to correct skeletal problems and improve overall health. Their treatments seek to alleviate pain, decrease swelling, restore joint mobility, balance body weight, and increase joint flexibility. A chiropractor can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to, neck pain, back pain, jaw pain, tennis elbow, headaches, joint pains, migraines, poor posture, insomnia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and many other physical ailments. Chiropractic offices can be found in almost every city and in small and large towns alike. Chiropractors use a variety of methods, some natural, some surgical, but all aimed at providing their clients with better quality of life.
Huntington Beach Chiropractors provide services to patients through the use of hands-on techniques, although some perform clinical manipulations and tests on selected patients as well. The most popular therapies that chiropractors recommend are spinal manipulation, spinal traction, and manual lymphatic drainage. They also may conduct diagnostic tests and refer their clients to other specialists such as an acupuncturist or an allergist. Chiropractors perform approximately 20% of all medical procedures performed in the country.
Because chiropractors treat the spine and nervous system, they are often referred to as “back doctors,” while other health professionals such as cardiologists and pediatricians are often called upon to diagnose, treat, and care for musculoskeletal problems associated with the spine, including disorders of the joints and ligaments. Because many chiropractors combine diagnostic and therapeutic services, they are sometimes referred to as “complementary” medicine practitioners. They perform a range of services and have an eclectic range of educational backgrounds and practice settings. Chiropractors who belong to accredited organizations have met standards that ensure they provide services in accordance with the best professional standards.
Most chiropractors offer services for acute and chronic conditions such as lower back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, migraine headaches, frozen shoulder, whiplash, earaches, sinus pain, and fertility concerns. They can treat a wide range of conditions using a variety of techniques. For example, chiropractors commonly apply spinal adjustments to relieve tension and improve functioning of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They can also prescribe alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedies, or massage therapy to help treat specific conditions. Other services commonly provided by chiropractors include pregnancy tests, STD tests, blood pressure measurement and analysis, nutritional assessment, and neurological testing. Many chiropractors also offer services in rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Although chiropractors emphasize medicine and treatment of skeletal and joint disorders, there are some forms of alternative medicine used frequently in their practices. Acupuncture is one type of alternative medicine that chiropractors use to treat nervous system disorders, pain, and inflammation. Chiropractors can administer and perform acupuncture when treating acute or chronic pain. Acupuncture is based on the traditional Chinese belief that energy flows through the body via meridians, or energy pathways. By unblocking the meridians, acupuncture can promote the flow of vital life force, known as qi, throughout the body. For this reason, acupuncture is often used in combination with other methods, such as massage, physical exercises, stress management techniques, or dietary changes.
Another type of alternative medicine commonly offered by chiropractors is nutritional counseling. Nutrition is a key component of a healthy lifestyle, and chiropractors help individuals make healthier food choices, including adding supplements to their diets, such as omega-3 fatty acids, extra Vitamin C, or magnesium. Often, a chiropractor will also suggest changes in lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking or drinking, reducing stress, exercising more, and avoiding potentially harmful substances such as caffeine. Some chiropractors even offer therapy to help patients manage pain caused by musculoskeletal conditions, such as scoliosis or lordosis, or common disorders like high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, or diabetes.
Often, chiropractors combine their professional skills with complementary medicine skills to provide a comprehensive approach to health care. One example is a chiropractor who incorporates physical therapy, nutrition, massage, and meditation techniques with his or her professional skills of chiropractic. If you are experiencing long-term pain, you may benefit from the blend of these various therapies. A chiropractor can teach you how to strengthen your joints and other areas of your body through chiropractic care, and then help you make healthier lifestyle choices that will encourage greater long-term pain relief.
Chiropractors have honed their skills in the medical and clinical world, which has given them the knowledge and expertise needed to treat patients effectively. They have conducted research and study on spinal alignment and its effect on the nervous system. They know how to manipulate the spine to relieve pain and prevent or heal spinal disorders. Now that they have clinical experience, they know how to diagnose spinal problems, prescribe treatments, and monitor a patient’s progress. With this training and proven results, chiropractors are qualified to provide comprehensive care for their clients, and they are an essential part of providing health care in the 21st century.