Chiropractic Adjustments: What to Expect and How They Work
When you schedule an appointment with a chiropractor to deal with back pain or other musculoskeletal issues, you might have been told you will receive chiropractic adjustments. However, you may be unsure as to precisely what this entails. If so, you can find more information by going to https://snapcrack.com/kendall/.
In the meantime, read on to find out what you need to know about chiropractic adjustments and what you can expect during your visit.
Are There Different Types of Chiropractic Adjustments?
Several chiropractic techniques may be used, but the most common one involves a controlled but fast directional thrust into the joint that is being treated. This is known as a chiropractic adjustment, but it can also be referred to as spinal manipulation or Grade 5 mobilization. Other mobilizations ranging from numbers 1 to 4 can also be used.
The main purpose of an adjustment is to return the bones of a specific joint to their natural fit. This can either be achieved during one adjustment or several.
Who Can Give You a Chiropractic Adjustment?
You may receive a chiropractic adjustment from a chiropractor, but other licensed professionals who can offer adjustments are osteopathic physicians and physical therapists. It is more common for mobilizations 1 to 4 to be performed by physical therapists.
What Happens During Your First Visit to Your Chiropractor?
During your first visit with a chiropractor, you will start by talking about the condition that has brought you to their office. Then, you will be asked about your medical history; and your chiropractor will perform a physical exam to confirm the diagnosis. In many cases, this may call for medical imaging such as X-rays or MRIs to verify your health concerns.
Based on their findings, the chiropractor will craft a personalized treatment plan for you. Besides a chiropractic adjustment, you may given exercises to perform at home and receive nutritional and stress-reduction recommendations.
What Can You Expect During the Chiropractic Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment entails the patient lying down on a specially designed table to receive the treatment. Depending on your condition or on what the diagnostic tests reveal, your chiropractor will place you on the table in a certain position and prepare to apply the necessary amount of force to perform an effective adjustment.
In general, chiropractic adjustments require both hands and designed to extend the joint beyond its usual range of motion. This treatment aims to repair the subluxation. Your chiropractor might treat your spine but also your wrists, feet, knees, and pelvis. Some conditions require more than one visit to achieve the desired results.
Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?
Chiropractic adjustments are considered safe, and any adverse events are generally temporary and minor. These may include:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Sore muscles or joints
What Other Techniques Do Chiropractors Use to Alleviate Musculoskeletal Issues?
Chiropractors have at their disposal several techniques they can apply to improve their patients’ conditions. Among them:
Electronic or Manual Instruments
Your chiropractor may make use of instruments and tools while performing an adjustment. These are meant to deliver a low-force impulse to the spine. Others may provide transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation through the use of a low-voltage electrical current to provide relief and diminish or eliminate pain.
Soft Tissue Techniques
Instrument-assisted manipulation techniques are applied to ligaments, tendons, and muscles in a way that is similar to a massage. They aim to break down scar tissue to improve muscle movement.
Stretching and Exercise
Both stretching and exercise have proven to instrumental when it comes to alleviating pain, gaining added mobility, and strengthening weak muscles. Your chiropractor may recommend a series of stretches and exercises that can be performed at home and will keep the improvement going between chiropractic adjustments.
What Are the Main Benefits of a Chiropractic Adjustment?
There is a full assortment of benefits associat with chiropractic adjustment and plenty of conditions that chiropractors have treat successfully. Here some of the most notable benefits experienced by those who receive a chiropractic adjustment:
Relief From Back Pain
Living with back pain can seriously harm someone’s quality of life, impacting their daily life and work. Chiropractic adjustments offer relief for back pain either on its own or as a treatment that can added to more traditional medical interventions. The result is a diminished level of pain and disability and an improved range of motion.
Migraine Relief
Chiropractic adjustments may help alleviate the intensity of migraine pain, reducing both the force and the duration of the migraine.
How Often Do Chiropractors Recommend Patients Get an Adjustment?
There is no single answer to this question since it all depends on the condition you wish to treat. Your chiropractor will craft an individualized treatment plan that will take into account your level of pain, the area that impacted, and how well your body responds to treatment.
If your issue is chronic pain, your chiropractor may recommend much more frequent visits than to someone seeking relief for an acute condition. Even problems that alleviated with a single visit may call for a follow-up appointment to confirm that the issue has been resolved.
There is also the possibility that your chiropractor might recommend that you schedule regular visits to keep your joints aligned and pain-free, maintain flexibility, and prevent injury. They may also want to see you frequently to preserve your overall sense of health.
Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care?
Virtually all insurance policies cover chiropractic care — as do Medicare and Medicaid. Also, every state includes chiropractic care under their workers’ compensation laws. This type of care is also available for military personnel at their installations and US veterans at VA medical facilities across the country.
To be on the safe side, call your insurance company before scheduling an appointment with your chiropractor.
