People often assume that chiropractors specialize in treating back pain because the bulk of their patients come in with a related concern. What they don’t realize is that chiropractic care can actually be beneficial in a wide range of circumstances. Read on to find out about ten types of injuries that a chiropractor can treat to see how wide-ranging the benefits can be.
- Sciatica
People who struggle to control their sciatica symptoms have a lot to gain from visiting a chiropractor. Sciatica creates pain in a patient’s lower back and legs as it causes inflammation of the sciatic nerve that runs down the lower spine to the feet. Chiropractors are experts at treating nerve pain and reducing inflammation naturally, helping sciatica patients get their symptoms under control and keep them that way.
- Lower Back Strains
Chiropractic care for lower back strains focuses on lessening patients’ pain and promoting increased mobility. The benefits of heading to the chiropractor for treatment for lower back strains extend beyond the relief provided at each session, too. Most chiropractors can also offer some level of physical therapy, including targeted exercises to strengthen the lower back and reduce the chances of experiencing another strain.
- Neck Pain
People experience neck pain for a wide variety of reasons, but most of them can be treated with targeted chiropractic care. The first step a chiropractor will take is to determine the cause of the patient’s pain, whether it’s coming from accident-induced whiplash, a cervical sprain, or too many hours behind a desk. Once these experts come up with a definitive diagnosis, they can provide treatments that relax or stimulate certain muscles, adjust the musculoskeletal system, and reduce the chances of further pain flare-ups.
- Hamstring Strains
Most athletes experience at least one hamstring sprain in their careers. Thankfully, chiropractic care is perfect for treating these common sports injuries. A chiropractor can work with his or her patient to perform adjustments that mobilize their joints, reduce scar tissue from the injury, stretch out muscles, and address underlying muscular imbalances that contributed to the strain.
- Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition that causes curving of the spine. To diagnose this condition, which requires a spinal curve of 10 degrees or more for an official diagnosis, a chiropractor will assess the patient’s posture and medical history, take x-rays, and determine the extent of the damage. From there, the chiropractor can come up with a treatment plan involving spinal adjustments and targeted exercises to minimize pain, increase mobility, and reduce the impact of this degenerative disorder on patients’ daily lives.
- Bursitis
Bursitis is a condition that causes pain in the hips as a result of inflamed bursae, which are small, fluid-filled sacs found wedged between most of the body’s bones and soft tissues. Chiropractic care offers relief from the pain in bursitis patients’ hips, legs, and lower backs, improving mobility and making it easier for patients to manage their conditions.
Chiropractors don’t just help with pain, either. Chiropractic care can decrease joint inflammation, improve coordination, and increase the flexibility of joints and tendons, getting at the root of the problem instead of just treating the symptoms.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common complaint from office workers who spend a lot of time at their desks. It occurs when the median nerve in the hand and wrist becomes compressed due to repetitive finger and wrist motions. Chiropractors have specialized training that allows them to treat repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome without resorting to dangerous surgeries or long-term medication use, and most have experience treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries are almost as common as carpal tunnel syndrome. They occur when people put too much pressure on their shoulders or rotate them excessively, often while playing sports. Seeing a chiropractor can help athletes and others suffering from rotator cuff injuries stretch, strengthen, and mobilize the affected area so that they can get their pain under control and prevent potentially damaging reinjuries.
- Herniated Discs
Herniated discs can be incredibly painful. They occur when the jellylike center of the disks between a patient’s individual vertebrae ruptures and pushes through the disc’s external, rubbery exterior. Herniated discs often irritate nearby nerves, which can result in pain, numbness, and weakness not just in the affected area but radiating down the arm or leg.
The best treatment for herniated discs involves a combination of approaches, including pain reduction techniques and physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve range of motion. Visiting a chiropractor is a fantastic way for people suffering from herniated discs to get relief from their symptoms without resorting to surgery or long-term use of pain medications.
- Pregnancy-Related Lower Back Pain
Expecting mothers put up with a lot as they go through their pregnancies, but they don’t have to put up with persistent lower back pain. Chiropractors can help pregnant patients deal with the pain without creating unnecessary risks by performing adjustments to women’s pelvises that can help. A good chiropractor will also teach women exercises to perform at home that can help to relieve pain.
Given that pregnant women must avoid most types of medication and many forms of exercise, especially later in their pregnancies, it’s important to find other ways to manage pregnancy-related pain. Chiropractors don’t rely on potentially dangerous medications that could have unwanted effects on babies. Scheduling a visit is the best way for expecting mothers to keep their pain under control for an easier pregnancy.
Schedule a Visit Today
Some people wait to schedule a visit with a chiropractor until they’ve been in a serious accident or have exhausted all of their other options for treating or managing a chronic disorder. What they should be doing is investigating all of their options, including safe and effective chiropractic care. Any patient who is struggling with a disease, disorder, or injury affecting the musculoskeletal system has a lot to gain from calling a chiropractor, so don’t be afraid to schedule a consultation as soon as possible.
