Common Chiropractic Conditions Treated
While chiropractors may be most often thought of for treating back and neck pain, research studies underscore the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for a wide variety of disorders. The chiropractic profession is recognized as a valid first-line treatment option for many health conditions. As chiropractors, we believe our job is to correct neurologic and musculoskeletal malfunction, reduce and eliminate pain, and promote wellness. Here are some common conditions treated by chiropractors:
Common Chiropractic Conditions
Common Chiropractic Conditions
When your spine is misaligned it can impinge on the nervous system in your body. Studies have shown that the nervous system has an effect on the functionality of your immune system. When your nervous system is under stress and not functioning properly, your immune system cannot work at an optimal level.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a painful condition that develops from certain repetitive arm motions. As with other types of tendonitis, chiropractic treatment can alleviate the pain of tennis elbow and help prevent it from returning.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when nerves or blood vessels are compressed in the collarbone and shoulder area, leading to tingling, numbness, pain, and weakness in the shoulder, neck, arm, or hand. Chiropractic treatment can alleviate symptoms and treat the cause of compression.
TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders cause pain and limited function in and around the jaw. Chiropractors can diagnose jaw joint disorders and treat many uncomfortable symptoms.
Wrist
An injury to the structures of the wrist can have a disabling impact on daily life. Because chiropractors specialize in disorders of the musculoskeletal system, we can help diagnose and treat many types of wrist pain with noninvasive techniques.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis—an abnormal sideways curve of the spine—causes pain and fatigue for some people. While chiropractic care cannot cure an abnormally curved spine, it can keep you more mobile and reduce pain and fatigue.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the passage through which the spinal cord or nerves run. When there are symptoms, they can range from mild to debilitating—but chiropractic care can help you feel better and stand straighter.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are common injuries to the soft tissues in the body such as the ligaments, muscles, and tendons. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a sprain or strain, we can help diagnose the condition and relieve symptoms.
Tech Neck / Text Neck
Heavy technology use can stress your muscles and spine, resulting in a “tech neck” or “text neck.” This can result in headaches, stiffness, and even arthritis and breathing difficulties. Chiropractic can reduce your risk of tech neck and treat its effects.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tissue that attaches your muscles to your bones. Left untreated, tendonitis can lead to chronic pain and further injury, but chiropractic care can help you heal naturally.
Pinched Nerve
When a nerve is pinched, you may feel pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness. Chiropractors aim to identify the source of the problem in order to provide treatment that can relieve pressure on nerves.
Sciatica
Chiropractic is an effective treatment for sciatica—pain due to a pinched sciatic nerve. Up to 40% of people suffer from this condition at some point, but chiropractic care can alleviate the pain and make you less prone to sciatica in the future.
Neck pain
Neck pain is second only to lower back pain as the reason for seeking chiropractic care. Unfortunately, the incredible flexibility of the neck that allows us to move our heads freely also makes the neck more susceptible to injury.
Neuropathy (Nerve Pain and Tingling)
Neuropathy (Nerve Pain and Tingling)
Neuropathy refers to symptoms caused by damage to nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord. Chiropractic care takes a natural approach to treating neuropathy and can often help reduce symptoms and increase function.
Osteoarthritis of The Spine
Osteoarthritis Of The Spine (Spondylosis)
Over 80% percent of adults over the age of 40 show evidence of osteoarthritis, or degenerative changes to the spine, on X-rays. Osteoarthritis of the spine can't be reversed, but chiropractic care can slow down its progression.
Pregnancy Pain
Keeping the spine in proper alignment during pregnancy helps reduce pain and gets the body into an optimal state for delivery. Chiropractic care can help maintain wellness both during pregnancy and after.
Joint pain
Joint pain can keep you from enjoying many activities, but chiropractic treatment can provide relief and help you stay active. It may even slow the progression of joint damage.
Mid / Upper Back Pain
Research shows that chiropractic care is effective in treating mid and upper back pain as well as improving range of motion and posture. So before you consider more invasive treatments, find out what chiropractic can do for you.
Posture Problems
Posture problems such as swayback, hunchback, flatback syndrome, and forward head posture can result in pain, loss of function, and injury. Chiropractors treat conditions caused by poor posture and help you maintain better posture and a healthier spine over the long term.
Golf Elbow
Golf elbow, a form of tendonitis, can be painful and restrict range of motion. Fortunately, chiropractic care can help alleviate symptoms—and the sooner you are treated, the better your chances of a full recovery.
Introduction to Common Conditions Treated
Introduction to Common Conditions Treated
Chiropractors focus on how disorders of the spine, muscles, and nerves affect overall health. Many people are surprised by the wide variety of conditions that chiropractors treat.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue that supports the heel and foot. It can be intensely painful and may cause difficulty standing or walking. The good news is that plantar fasciitis often responds well to chiropractic treatment
Forward Head Posture
When you habitually carry your head forward, it can stress your bones, muscles, and ligaments, triggering headaches and limiting mobility. Take a simple test to see if you have a forward head posture and check out these exercises to correct it.
Lower Back Pain
Low back pain is the number one reason people seek chiropractic care. Chiropractic treatment can help back pain sufferers return to normal function while avoiding potentially dangerous pain medication.
Pitcher's Elbow
A pitcher's elbow is a common overuse injury that can result from repeated overhand pitching. It causes pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion, but chiropractors can treat pitcher’s elbow using safe, noninvasive techniques.
Fibromyalgia
10 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome, and many sufferers find that chiropractic care can help alleviate pain, improve sleep, and reduce fatigue associated with the condition.
Hip Pain
Hip pain prompts many people to visit the chiropractor. Chiropractic care has been found to be effective in helping alleviate hip pain due to restricted joint motion, arthritis, sports injuries, and other causes.
Knee Pain
Chiropractors are trained in safe and noninvasive methods to treat a variety of conditions related to knee pain. Our goal is to get to the root of the problem while alleviating pain in the knee itself.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition of the wrist and hand caused by repetitive motion. It leads to more missed workdays than any other work-related injury—but chiropractic treatment can often help.
Dizziness and Vertigo
Dizziness and vertigo can throw life off-balance. When they are caused by spinal misalignment, research shows that chiropractic care is effective in alleviating symptoms.
Ear Pain
Chiropractors can help alleviate ear pain without using invasive procedures. Research supports chiropractic care as an effective way to reduce ear pain and obstructions associated with infections.
Headache
If you suffer from frequent headaches, here’s good news: Chiropractic treatments have been shown to be effective in relieving pain and other symptoms from migraines and other types of headaches.
Degenerative Disc Disease / DDD
Degeneration of the spine can start in our 30s, and by age 60, 90% of us have it. Chiropractors can help relieve pain from degenerative disc disease, detect it before it shows symptoms, and help reduce its progression.
Back Pain
Chiropractors are extensively trained in the complex relationship between structures of the back and how they can affect the rest of your body. We can help restore your back to health and keep your spine functioning smoothly.
Bulging and Herniated Disc
Bulging and herniated discs can be very painful. Chiropractors can help diagnose disc conditions and create a treatment plan to decrease your discomfort and improve the health of your spine and related nerves.
Common Conditions
Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractors are professionals who use their hands or specific instruments to perform chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulation, to realign the spine and improve the body's physical functions. Many people seek chiropractic care to alleviate back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal issues.
What is a chiropractor and what conditions do they treat?
Overview of chiropractic care
Chiropractic care is based on the belief that the body has the potential to heal itself without the need for surgery or medication. Chiropractors emphasize the importance of maintaining proper spinal alignment to ensure the nervous system functions at its best.
Common conditions treated by chiropractors
Chiropractors treat a wide range of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, sciatica, scoliosis, muscle spasms, and stiffness. They also address issues related to ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues through various chiropractic techniques.
When to consider chiropractic care
If you experience chronic musculoskeletal pain, limited range of motion, or numbness in specific areas, it may be beneficial to seek chiropractic care. Additionally, people with poor posture due to sedentary lifestyles or strenuous physical activities may also benefit from chiropractic treatment.
How can chiropractic treatment help with back pain and neck pain?
Spinal manipulation for back pain
Chiropractic adjustments involve applying controlled force to a joint to realign the spine. This technique can effectively relieve back pain, reduce muscle spasms, and enhance overall mobility.
Chiropractic adjustments for neck pain
Neck pain often results from poor posture, muscle tension, or trauma. Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate neck pain by addressing the root cause of the discomfort and improving the alignment of the cervical spine.
Improving posture through chiropractic care
Chiropractors can provide guidance on improving posture, which is crucial for preventing and addressing back and neck pain. By realigning the spine and suggesting posture correction techniques, chiropractic care can help individuals maintain better spinal health.
When should you consider seeing a chiropractor for low back pain or sciatica?
Signs and symptoms that indicate the need for a chiropractic referral
If you experience persistent lower back pain, shooting leg pain, or sciatic nerve-related symptoms such as numbness and tingling, seeking a referral to see a chiropractor may be beneficial. Chiropractors are trained to address the underlying causes of these symptoms and provide appropriate treatment.
How chiropractic care can alleviate sciatica symptoms
Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, thereby reducing the intensity and frequency of sciatica symptoms. This approach can offer relief to individuals dealing with sciatica-related discomfort.
Role of chiropractic adjustments in managing low back pain
Chiropractic care focuses on realigning the spine and addressing muscle imbalances to alleviate lower back pain. Through chiropractic adjustments, individuals can experience improved flexibility and reduced discomfort associated with low back pain.
What to expect during your first visit to a chiropractor for musculoskeletal pain?
Initial assessment and physical exam by a chiropractor
During the first visit, the chiropractor will conduct a thorough assessment of your musculoskeletal health, including evaluating your posture, range of motion, and any areas of tenderness or stiffness. This assessment helps in devising a personalized treatment plan.
Role of x-rays in chiropractic diagnosis
In some cases, x-rays may be used to identify underlying structural issues or abnormalities in the spine, which can aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Available treatment options, such as spinal manipulation and acupuncture
Based on the assessment findings, the chiropractor may recommend specific treatment options, which may include spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, or other integrative approaches aimed at addressing your musculoskeletal pain effectively.
Is chiropractic care a suitable option for individuals with scoliosis?
How chiropractic adjustments can benefit individuals with scoliosis
Chiropractic care aims to improve spinal alignment, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals with scoliosis. Through regular chiropractic adjustments, individuals with scoliosis can experience reduced discomfort and improved overall spine function.
Integrative approach of chiropractic care for managing scoliosis
Chiropractors often adopt an integrative approach, combining chiropractic adjustments with therapeutic exercises and posture correction techniques to manage scoliosis effectively. This comprehensive approach addresses the structural and functional aspects of scoliosis.
Evaluating the potential benefits of seeing a chiropractor for scoliosis
If you have scoliosis, consulting with a chiropractor can help assess the potential benefits of chiropractic care in managing your condition. A chiropractor can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific needs and the severity of your scoliosis.
Chiropractic care offers a holistic and non-invasive approach to managing various musculoskeletal conditions. It is important to note that while chiropractic care can be beneficial for many individuals, there are certain conditions for which chiropractic care is not appropriate. In such cases, the chiropractor may recommend alternative treatment options or refer you to a different healthcare professional for specialized care.
