Pain Relief
Chiropractic Therapy for Pain Relief
We’ve all been there: neck pain from stress, backache from hunching at a desk all day, shoulder aches after a night of sleeping on it the wrong way, knee injury from sports, twisted ankle just for taking a wrong step, headaches for no apparent reason…and everyone can add their own. It is so tempting to pop a pill and push on with the day. But what about tomorrow? Or the next time? Have you ever considered chiropractic therapy for pain relief?
Medications: Pros and Cons
Anti-inflammatories such as aspirin and ibuprofen can certainly take down swelling and you will feel better. But they can be very hard on the gut, especially if you have heartburn or ulcers. Acetaminophen is another over the counter pain med that is easier to tolerate but does not have the anti-inflammatory benefit.
If pain persists, your doctor might suggest prescription medications such as stronger anti-inflammatories, oral steroids, opioids, or steroid injections into the inflamed joint. These are effective methods to reduce pain, but they are serious drugs with serious limitations and side-effects. Many should not be given to very young children, older folks, or pregnant women. Plus, while the pain is masked, the underlying cause is still there.
Chiropractic: A Safer, Natural Alternative
Your doctor may offer alternatives such as physical therapy or surgery. Chiropractic treatment is also becoming more and more recognized as an effective alternative for pain management. But, as many first-time patients are surprised to learn, chiropractic care is much more than pain management.
We chiropractors receive extensive training in diagnosing common ailments while earning our doctorate. Additionally, in 2012 I earned the DABCI for advanced training in diagnosis and internal disorders. We are specialists in determining the health and issues of the spine and associated nerves and soft tissues. So, first we find the underlying cause of your pain. Then we correct the cause so that your body can heal. Chiropractic adjustments involve applying pressure to targeted areas to realign joints, thus relieving pinched and damaged nerves. Once the nerve impulses can again pass freely, the healing processes of the body begin.
Chiropractic medicine is holistic and natural. That means that we consider the whole person when designing a treatment plan, and we don’t use drugs or invasive procedures. For me, it is very important that my patients understand what I am doing and why. Along with adjustments I might prescribe specific stretches, exercise, dietary modifications, massage, stress reduction techniques. If I don’t understand what will or won’t work for you; and you don’t understand why you should do these things – well, clearly the plan won’t work. So, we work together to create a plan with success built in.
Chiropractic medicine is gentle, safe and effective for all ages. Yes, an adjustment involves pressure on the spine – but the actual movement between joints is very minimal. The treatment feels good and some relief should be immediate. Positive results are real, and the safety record far surpasses that of drugs, injections or surgery.
One final thought:
Of course, chiropractic medicine is not a cure for everything. I work with the doctors and specialists of my patients and make referrals when needed. I recognize that drugs and surgery are often necessary. With chiropractic and holistic therapies I can help you feel better through recovery.
To learn more, poke around my website, or click on specific questions below:
How are the spine, skeletal system and nervous system connected?
How do chiropractic adjustments lead to healing?
Pain medications mask the pain: chiropractic treatments cure the cause.