Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain

The condition of fibromyalgia creates many challenges for a person with this disorder. These challenges often go far beyond the characteristic chronic pain which alone can be potentially debilitating. Those with fibromyalgia have pain in many locations and the presence of multiple pain sites is often confusing to their doctor or doctors. Family physicians, internists, endocrinologists, and even pain management specialists and rheumatologists often have great difficulty in comprehending the full extent of fibromyalgia and the serious health and well-being issues that are caused by the disorder.

Persons with fibromyalgia have so many symptoms that an uninformed physician may find it easier to refer such patients to a psychologist or psychiatrist. But the physical symptoms of fibromyalgia are real. The sufferers have widespread pain on a chronic basis. Additional symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbances, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, joint stiffness, and cognitive dysfunction (brain fog). Depression commonly affects those with fibromyalgia.

Owing to the presence of so many chronic symptoms, fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult to treat. Such patients are typically taking multiple medications, prescribed by multiple specialists attempting to combat the problems that fall within their particular branch of medicine – pain management, rheumatology, and psychology/psychiatry.

Despite taking several medications on a long-term basis, most fibromyalgia patients tend not to improve. Depression and chronic pain take a profound toll, and daily living becomes quite burdensome. Many fibromyalgia patients despair of ever finding even a partial solution.

Attempts to address the problems of fibromyalgia by just treating the symptoms often fail. As the physiologic causes of the disorder are unknown, holistic approaches have a much greater likelihood of success. Multidisciplinary treatment is needed to impact this systems-wide disorder, including chiropractic care, nutritional recommendations, psychological counseling, and a gradual return to increased levels of physical activity and exercise.(1, 2, 3)

Chiropractic Care Provides Multiple Benefits

Chiropractic care, by its very nature, is a holistic method of healing. By using noninvasive methods which balance function within both the nerve system and the musculoskeletal system, chiropractic care gives your body the best chance to recover from many complicated problems.

Chiropractic care is a key component of the multidisciplinary approach to management of multisystemic disorders such as fibromyalgia. By restoring more normal function to the person’s nerve system, chiropractic care unleashes powerful and natural healing forces. The result is a body whose parts are now working together instead of against each other. As the body heals, pain and symptoms will likely naturally begin to reduce and resolve

1Schneiderr M, et al: Chiropractic management of fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review of the literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 32(1):25-40, 2009
2Hauser W, et al: Guidelines on the management of fibromyalgia syndrome. A systematic review. Eur J Pain 14(1):5-10, 2010
3Busch AJ, et al: Exercise for fibromyalgia: a systematic review. J Rheumatol 35(6):1130-1144, 2008

A Walk in the Forest

chiropractic

To be healthy it’s important to cover all the bases. We want to exercise and we want to eat right, not just one or the other. We want to get enough rest and we want to have a positive mental attitude, not just one or the other.

Regular chiropractic care is also part of this equation. To reap the full benefits of all the other good things we’re doing, it’s important to make sure that our nerve systems are doing their part, too. The nerve system is the body’s master system, coordinating the activities of all the other systems. The nerve system tells our digestive system what to do with the good food we’re eating. The nerve system tells the muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments how to benefit from the exercises we’re doing.

With regular chiropractic care, the nerve system is able to make sure that all our other body systems are doing their jobs, at the right time, in the right amount, and in the right place. Regular chiropractic care helps keep us vibrant, healthy, and well.
The world is changing. Global populations continue to migrate to urban areas. These ongoing relocations have a profound impact on deeply interconnected environmental systems and also lead to substantial distortions in human biosystems. In a word and to no one’s surprise, living in big cities comes with a big cost in terms of our health and well-being.

The takeaway is not to turn around and go back to the countryside. Most persons living in large cities would not desire to pack up and move. Worldwide, people head to the cities seeking employment, a greater variety of opportunities, and hopefully an improved standard of living. The fact that frequently these aspirations are not fulfilled does not deter their friends, family, and fellow villagers from following the same course. Most large cities continue to get larger.

The takeaway relates to the methods and means we can employ to counter the effects of living in the big city. These often deleterious effects are well-known and yet worth repeating. Urban air quality is notoriously poor. We all can easily conjure up a mind’s-eye view of the oily ochre tint of many metropolitan skies. Food in many urban areas has lost much of its nutritional value owing to the great distances meat, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables have to travel to get to the city supermarkets and marketplaces. Water quality is often degraded by nearby industry and sewage treatment plants. Green space is at a premium in most urban environments – there are few places in which to play outdoors.

How can we combat these tradeoffs in air quality, water quality, food quality, and lack of nurturing green space? First, it’s important to recognize that these tradeoffs exist. The human organism was not designed to live in crowded cities. Our bodies were designed to thrive in a richly diverse outdoors environment, sowing and reaping in various ways and participating in complex ecosystems.

Now most of that is gone and we pay the price in terms of lifestyle diseases – diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders.1,2,3 The good news is that there are many action steps we can take to restore precious health to ourselves and our loved ones.

Two specific actions focus on food quality and outdoor activity. First, whenever possible, buy food produced locally. In general and all things being equal, the less distance food has to travel to get to the dining table the more nutritious it is. Food produced nearby is always best. Increasingly, farmers markets are making locally produced food available to urban populations in even the biggest cities. All that’s required is to find out where the local farmers are setting-up their stands.

The other specific action involves engaging in outdoor activities several times per week. Getting outdoors is important in big cities, even though air quality leaves much to be desired. Being in the presence of sunlight, trees, flowers, birds and small wildlife, and shrubs, plants, and ground cover provides nourishment that is not measured in calories. Humans need to interact with other living species in order to thrive, in order to become more fully alive.

By taking simple, doable, healthful actions on our own behalf, we can become healthier and happier members of our great urban communities.

1Zhao Z, Kaestner R: Effects of urban sprawl on obesity. J Health Econ 29(6):779-787, 2010
2Coombes E, et al: The relationship of physical activity and overweight to objectively measured green space accessibility and use. Soc Sci Med 70(6):816-822, 2010
3Sallis JF, Glanz K: Physical activity and food environments: solutions to the obesity. Milbank Q 87(1):123-154, 2009

Does Back Pain Go Away on Its Own?

Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic, i.e., not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture, or cancer.

What Causes Back Pain?

The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements-for example, picking up a pencil from the floor-can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss.

Back injuries are a part of everyday life, and the spine is quite good at dealing with these often “pulled” muscles. These very minor injuries usually heal within 1 or 2 days. Some pain, however, continues. What makes some pain last longer is not entirely understood, but researchers suspect that the reasons may include stress, mood changes, and the fear of further injury that may prevent patients from being active. In addition, sometimes a painful injury or disease changes the way the pain signals are sent through the body, and, even after the problem has gone away or is inactive, the pain signals still reach the brain. It is as if the pain develops a memory that keeps being replayed.

Will Back Pain Go Away on Its Own?

Until recently, researchers believed that back pain will “heal” on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. A recent study showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily but will most likely return. The study demonstrated that in more than 33% of the people who experience low-back pain, the pain lasts for more than 30 days. Only 9% of the people who had low-back pain for more than 30 days were pain free 5 years later.1

Another study looked at all of the available research on the natural history of low-back pain. The results showed that when it is ignored, back pain does not go away on its own.2 Those studies demonstrate that low-back pain continues to affect people for long periods after it first begins.

What Can I Do to Prevent Long-Term Back Pain?

If your back pain is not resolving quickly, visit your doctor of chiropractic. Your pain will often result from mechanical problems that your doctor of chiropractic can address. Many chiropractic patients with relatively long-lasting or recurring back pain feel improvement shortly after starting chiropractic treatment.3 The relief they feel after a month of treatment is often greater than after seeing a family physician.4

Chiropractic spinal manipulation is a safe and effective spine pain treatment. It reduces pain, decreases medication, rapidly advances physical therapy, and requires very few passive forms of treatment, such as bed rest.5

How Can I Prevent Back Pain?

Don’t lift by bending over. Instead, bend your hips and knees and then squat to pick up the object. Keep your back straight, and hold the object close to your body.
Don’t twist your body while lifting.
Push, rather than pull, when you must move heavy objects.
If you must sit for long periods, take frequent breaks and stretch.
Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels.
Exercise regularly. An inactive lifestyle contributes to lower-back pain.

What Should I Tell My Doctor of Chiropractic?

Before any treatment session, tell your doctor of chiropractic if you experience any of the following:

Pain goes down your leg below your knee.
Your leg, foot, groin, or rectal area feels numb.
You have fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, weakness, or sweating.
You lose bowel control.
Your pain is caused by an injury.
Your pain is so intense you can’t move around.
Your pain doesn’t seem to be getting better quickly.

For more information regarding Louisville Chiropractic click here

References

Hestbaek L, Leboeuf-Yde C, Engberg M, Lauritzen T, Bruun NH, Manniche C. The course of low-back pain in a general population. Results from a 5-year prospective study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003 May;26(4):213-9.
Hestbaek L, Leboeuf-Yde C, Manniche C. Low-back pain: what is the long-term course? A review of studies of general patient populations. Eur Spine J 2003 Apr;12(2):149-65.
Stig LC, Nilsson O, Leboeuf-Yde C. Recovery pattern of patients treated with chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for long-lasting or recurrent low back pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2001 May;24(4):288-91.
Nyiendo J, Haas M, Goodwin P. Patient characteristics, practice activities, and one-month outcomes for chronic, recurrent low-back pain treated by chiropractors and family medicine physicians: a practice-based feasibility study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000 May;23(4):239-45.
Time to recognize value of chiropractic care? Science and patient satisfaction surveys cite usefulness of spinal manipulation. Orthopedics Today February 2003;23(2):14-15.

 

Chiropractic Care: The Benefits

There are a number of benefits that a person receives from chiropractic care, and this is the number one reason that there continues to be a growth in chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive approach to treating a number of different ailments and helps the body heal itself, this is why it is recommended by so many.

Common Chiropractic Benefits

Dysfunction in your muscoskeletal system does not exclude anyone. Therefore, anyone will benefit from the healing ability of chiropractic care to provide relief from any form of discomfort that one undergoes when they have misaligned spine, back, or neck. But for individuals who are required to remain active, the presence of such dysfunction disables them from performing well and limit their motor capacity. This is due to the fact that any form of movement on the traumatized area of the body can result to pain or discomfort.

Regardless of the cause of your initial discomfort, among the benefits you can enjoy are as follows:

• Improved circulation
• Reduction or elimination of lactic acid
• Smoother travel of oxygen and nutrients in the body
• More flexibility
• Elimination of any pain or soreness
• Faster recovery time
• Reduced muscle spasm
• Prevention of future injury
• More relaxed feeling

Combination Treatments

If you want to enhance the benefits of chiropractic care, it is best to combine your efforts with natural techniques. Even chiropractors recommend it in order to help your body adjust to the treatment provided. The relief from any pressure or source of discomfort will allow your body to attain maximum mobility and better performance.

To enhance the results, you must try to develop a routine that incorporates the following physical activities:

• Keep your body properly hydrated.

• Follow a healthy nutritional plan.

• Do some stretching exercises or develop a healthy exercise routine.

Additional Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Several people have misconceptions about chiropractic care. One of them being that it is not a valid form of treatment and is used only for mild cases of back pain, headaches, and the like. However, this form of treatment method offer adjustment benefits even to those suffering from extreme cases of spinal or vertebral misalignment.

But the benefits extend beyond muscoskeletal and different people who suffer from these illnesses experience varying results as well:

• For pregnant women, they are able to deliver much easier.

• For babies, they have improved developmental abilities and prevent the possibility of acquiring scoliosis.

• For kids, it helps prevent asthma, ear infection, bedwetting, among other things.

• For adults, they are able to generate more energy and increase productivity.

• For senior individuals, they attain better balance and prevent injury caused by falling off.

Meanwhile, overall results and benefits reported from patients who’ve undergone chiropractic care includes the following:

• Boost in the functions of the immune and nervous system.

• Patients attain improved vitality.

• Breathing becomes easier.

• Better digestive function.

• Sharper vision.

• Improved overall health.

When Do Results Become Evident?

Following chiropractic treatment, your body will start to realign and relieve yourself from any pressure that is causing pain in your joints. In mild cases, a patient will immediately experience relief soon after undergoing chiropractic care. Hence, this is one of the advantages of opting for chiropractic care over surgical or medical procedures that often require a long recovery period.

In other cases, there might be a slight feeling of soreness or aching that can be felt with chiropractic treatment. The reason for this is that your body has to readjust to the realignment done after being misaligned for a while.

However, it shouldn’t take long either before your body can regain its normal function and mobility.

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How To Choose a Chiropractor For Optimum Chiropractic Care

Are you looking to benefit from the alternative medicine of chiropractic care? To make sure you get the most out of your chiropractic treatments it is important that you find a chiropractor that you are comfortable with.

What Are 5 Things You Should Look For?

1. Respect for the Patients Time!

It is so frustrating to show up on time for a schedule appointment only to wait… and wait… and wait… for the doctor. This situation is unacceptable in my opinion.

Sure, things go wrong and live interjects its unexpected ups and downs at times. In such cases, I always inform the patient that I am running late and give them the option to reschedule. However more important to me is to minimize this situation from happening in the first place! So when you choose a chiropractor, make sure you are dealing with someone who values their patients time as much as their own.

In this day and age in which we are all so pressed for time, it’s nice knowing your chiropractor respects your time.

2. Respect for the Patients Well Being!

If something is clearly wrong and needs fixing, make sure you are dealing with a practitioner who will tell it to you straight. I once visited a dentist who had found something wrong with my teeth but seemed too timid to just tell me the extent of the problem. I’d rather know so I can understand my options!

I promise to respect your well being when you come in to my clinic, which means a detailed exam so we can understand the extent of your problem. Then I’m going to tell it to you straight and leave it up to you to decide how you wish to proceed. Run, not walk, from any practitioner who won’t shoot straight with you in plain English.

When it comes to your pain, you need solutions and straight talk. That’s the secret to getting you better fast.

3. Recommendations and Referrals!

In an ideal world, a recommendation from a friend or family member is helpful place to start your search for a good chiropractor. (This isn’t always possible, I realize.) Second best is ask your doctor if he has patient reviews or letters of recommendation. Often these will be posted on his or her website.

4. The Warning Signs!

On top of knowing what qualities to look for in a chiropractor, here are a few danger signs that you should warn you to avoid a chiropractor if s/he exhibits them:

• Avoid chiropractors who require you to sign a long-term treatment contract. Although chiropractic care is relatively safe, you have no reason to be tied up to a particular chiropractor for any long-term treatment unless your condition requires for it.
• Avoid chiropractors who discourage you to opt for other preventive treatments outside of chiropractic care, such as acupuncture or massage. A qualified doctor who is concerned about your health and recuperation must be open to the best possible means of treating your disease or condition.
• Doctor is making claims that even you believe is not feasible at all or or who employ scare tactics to convince the patient to agree on a treatment plan.

These are usually some tell-tale signs of a chiropractor who is less concerned about the patient’s welfare and is only aiming to attain monetary benefits.

5. Speed Of Service!

When I first opened my clinic, I used to spend waaaaaaay too much time with new patients. I used to think that time spent with a patient equated to “good service in the eyes of my patients. Boy was I wrong! It wasn’t until a patient said to me nicely: “You know, if you wouldn’t mind speeding things up, I might actually come in more often.”

I finally understood that just like no one likes to wait longer than necessary at a Bank or to order your Starbucks, likewise people wish to get in and out of their doctors office in a timely fashion. This is what I strive for, whenever possible, and my patients have told me repeatedly that they appreciate such efforts.

In summary, those are the 5 things to look for when choosing a chiropractor! If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Chiropractic Care: Common Misconceptions

Even though there has been continued research done by numerous health experts on the benefits of chiropractic care there are still a number of people that don’t understand this treatment option. Lack of information automatically results to the formation of myths and misconceptions.

Here are common misconceptions on chiropractic care and the truth behind them:

Myth #1: Chiropractic Care Benefits Are All Placebo!

There are just too many studies that have now proven that chiropractic are treatment is effective and not just a placebo effect. A placebo effect is the belief that the benefits one experiences from a particular treatment are only psychological in nature and not actually “real.”

What anyone needs to know about chiropractic care is that it is a therapy that is focused on your body’s muscoskeletal system. Therefore, it addresses problems that are associated with those parts of your body to improve functions. The Big Idea behind chiropractic care is to restore the body’s natural ability to heal and retain normal function. Even a casual search of Google will yield dozens of case studies proving the healing benefits of chiropractic treatment.

Myth #2: Chiropractic Care is Dangerous!

This is one of the most widespread form of chiropractic care misconception. Many fear to undergo it because they believe it can damage the body and expose them to more serious risks or illness. Worse thing is, some people still think that chiropractors are not licensed doctors.

First and foremost, chiropractic is a professional healthcare field and chiropractic doctors (or chiropractors) are also considered medical professionals. There are degrees offered for chiropractic, which is an alternative medicine recognized in the medical field, and often requires rigorous educational training.

It employs adjustment procedures that help restore mobility or function on certain areas of the body such as the backbone, spine, neck, among others. Often, chiropractic care is coupled with relaxation techniques and nutrition plans for a more effective result.

It is pretty much unanimously agreed that chiropractic treatment is safer than the risks associated with taking prescription pain killers, the risk of addiction to these medications, and most certainly the risks are dramatically less than surgery complications.

Myth #3: Chiropractic Treatment Hurts!

Chiropractors who perform adjustments on patient have undergone years of training and clinical experience. Therefore, there is no need to fear any form of pain that you can experience during adjustment. In rare cases, a certain amount of discomfort might happen but it is hardly substantial enough to result into any feeling of pain and is nothing compared to the recovery associated with surgery. Since the treatment is manually applied, there are several factors that could potentially alter the sensations experienced along with the treatment procedure. In short, chiropractic treatment does not hurt.

Myth #4: There Are Negative Side Effects

In connection to what’s discussed above, you must not fear any serious side effects from chiropractic adjustments. There are some who believe that chiropractic care could result to stroke or even as far as death.

On the contrary, chiropractic care is recognized in the medical field as one of the safest form of healthcare. This also explains why more and more people are turning to this method of treatment as compared to the more dangerous surgeries or drug interventions.

Myth #5: Chiropractic is Expensive

Chiropractic has been studied and been found to be one of the most affordable options for treating back pain compared to the cost of medications and surgery. I read somewhere that chiropractic treatment costs 90% less than a typical back surgery.

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What to Expect at Your First Chiropractic Care Visit

It is very common for people that are getting ready to have their first chiropractic treatment to have a number of questions about what is going to happen. Some people are scared, while others are nervous both of which can be soothed with information. To help make your first treatment go as smoothly as possible read on.

Patient Health History

Any consultation with a chiropractor or other medical practitioners will begin with a consultation. You will be provided a form that must be filled out as a means for your chiropractor to gather background information needed on any symptoms or conditions currently being experienced. That way, they’d be able to trace if you have any history of other conditions and better able to determine the source of your current complaints.

Among the questions you are expected to answer on the form include the following:

• When did you first felt the pain?
• How did the pain start?
• Where could you have possibly acquired it?
• Does any factor cause it to ease or become worse?

Basically, the idea behind these questions is to provide the data your doctor needs to assess the extent of your condition. These observations are also placed in comparison to any medical records that the patient previously have.

Physical Examination

Patients undergo a thorough physical examination before a chiropractic treatment is performed. The tests are pretty general such as reflexes, pulse, respiration, or other required orthopedic neurological tests. All of these are performed to gather crucial data needed for proper diagnosis of the patient’s condition.

Among the aspects of a patient’s health that are determined through this stage include strength and tone of muscle, range of motion in the specific area of the body that is affected, and neurological imbalances. In addition, a patient might be required to execute a few physical motion to see exactly how well the body executes the assigned movements.

Diagnostic Studies and Diagnosis

Once the gathering of medical history information and physical chiropractic examinatin is complete, diagnostic studies are now conducted. In this stage, this is where evaluation of those previously gathered data are done in the hopes of making an accurate diagnosis. Some equipments used for diagnostic study might include x-rays, MRI scan, and other procedures.

When your chiropractic doctor has all these elements put together, they now have all the tools needed to make an accurate evaluation. The next step would then be to determine whethe a patient will proceed with chiropractic care or if there are other suggested treatment methods for their condition.

How Long Will It Take?

Your first visit to a chiropractor would typically lasts for not over an hour. This should be enough time to perform all of the above steps needed to gather medical information and evaluate them for proper diagnosis. Since it is your health condition that is on the line, it is important for chiropractors not to proceed in haste since some crucial information could be left out in the process, thus risking the health of the patient.

Deciding on a Treatment Plan

Depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, some chiropractors can already begin the treatment plan upon the first visit. However, a few others would have to schedule another appointment to begin the treatment session.

Using the information available to him or her, your chiropractor will prescribe a set of goals for your treatment. Again, the extent of the damage and the treatment method determined for you will impact the length of your treatment period. Short-term treatments are usually suited for patients who merely suffer from pain caused by dysfunction in the joints or muscles.

Meanwhile, those that require full restoration of their health system to retain function and improve daily life might require a long-term treatment plan.

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Is Chiropractic Care Safe For Children and Adults?

This is a question many people have, and the answer is yes, both children and adults can and have been successfully treated. Children can receive a chiropractic adjustment if they have suffered any dysfunction in their spine, back or neck. A specialized approach is required because children’s bodies are different from adults.

Chiropractic in Infants or Toddlers

Many infants or babies suffer trauma during their birth process. Therefore, parents must pay close attention to any misalignment on their neck or spine. Since they are unable to speak about how they feel or any pain they’re suffering from, study them when they are seated.

If they are constantly looking in the same direction, then this could ultimately lead to an irritation hence adjustments need to be done to provide relief for the baby. Aside from reducing the amount of discomfort that the baby suffers from, it also allow a wider range of motion in their neck area. Since the stability of a baby’s spine is crucial in their development, chiropractic adjustments are therefore necessary in establishing a normal pattern of motion.

Also I have observed that children who receive chiropractic treatment seem to be sick less often, have less ear infections and other long term health benefits.

Chiropractic in Kids/Children

In cases of older children, their engagement in sports or active routine could expose them to problems in their spine, neck, or back pain. Hence, it is no longer uncommon these days to find children being treated with chiropractic care. In other cases, those who suffer from migraine can be treated by conducting adjustments on the vertebrae to eliminate the frequency or reduce the amount of discomfort caused by the migraine.

Symptoms: Knowing When Your Child Needs Chiropractic Care

Unless it has reached a crucial stage or has become quite obvious, spinal problems in children are often difficult to identify. And yet, early detection from parents is crucial in order to ensure that your child is provided the medical care it needs to normalize bodily functions and free them of any discomfort associated with the condition. Below are common symptoms that could indicate a spinal dysfunction in your child:

• abnormal sleeping patterns
• misaligned shoulders
• limited mobility of the head or neck
• recurrence of ear infection
• scoliosis
• constant headaches
• bedwetting
• persistent colds
• for infants, difficulties in breastfeeding

A common cause for parents to seek chiropractic care for their young children is due to trauma suffered from an injury. When a child suffers from any physical injury, it could cause a misalignment on the spine. In some cases, no pain or injury are suffered right away but the problem is internal and it does not often manifest itself right away.

Is It Safe?

A gentle approach is used on children. As with adults too, children can undergo a painless procedure of chiropractic treatment.

A children chiropractor would begin with an assessment of a child’s health condition by asking the parent a series of questions. Or if the child is old enough, the doctor asks them for any specific complaints.

Following chiropractic treatment, children respond to the treatment much faster than most adults do. In fact, most only require a few sessions until the normal functions of the affected part are restored.

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Chiropractic Care While Pregnant

A lot more expectant mothers are actually making use of chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy.

Exactly Why Do Expecting Mothers Want Chiropractic Care?

When a woman becomes pregnant, her body undergoes a variety of physiological and endocrinological changes as the baby inside her womb starts to develop. Due to these changes, the pregnant mother could suffer from cases of misalignment in her joint or spine that results in either one or a combination of the following:

• More prominent curve on her back,
• Enlargement of the abdomen,
• Pelvic changes,
• Changes in posture.

Due to these changes, some women experience chronic lower back pains throughout their pregnancy. Fr others this might mean having difficulty attaining proper balance and alignment. Hence, chiropractic care will help correct them and enable you to develop a better posture that puts less pressure on your body. Also, misalignment of your pelvis could limit the baby’s development inside your womb.

All trained chiropractors have been briefed about using the procedures on pregnant women, hence it is generally safe and gentle.

There are also chiropractors who specialize in chiropractic treatment for pre-natal and peri-natal care for women. Therefore, additional training is required in order to ensure the safety of both baby and mother. Doctors who undergo chiropractic care on pregnant women adjust the intensity of their treatment procedures according to how far into their pregnancy stage the woman is. In some cases, chiropractors suggest stretching and exercise routines that pregnant women can develop for a safer and healthier pregnancy.

Benefits of Pregnancy Chiropractic Care

Before women even undergo labor, the recommendations to undergo chiropractic care helps them in several ways. It includes the following:

• It helps them achieve a healthier pregnancy.

• It will enable women to have better control over symptoms or other conditions associated with pregnancy.

• It enables them to deliver faster and more efficiently.

• It provides relief from pain on the neck, back, or joints.

• It helps women avoid the possibility of undergoing cesarean section.

Its Effects During Labor

Aside from the benefits above, chiropractic care offers several other benefits for women during the actual labor, especially in terms of pain management. If you want a more successful delivery, then try to learn about how chiropractic care will help you achieve that.

Length of Labor

When the human body is subjected to extremely stressful situations, its level of balance and ability to adapt is crucial in determining how the body is impacted by that situation. Most women who undergo Cesarean section during delivery is due to the body’s ability to cope with the stress of delivery. Most of it is caused by misalignment on the pelvis that slows down the descent of the fetus towards the mother’s birth canal. Limited range of motion also affects a woman’s ability to labor more efficiently.

Hence, proper adjustments using chiropractic care enables a woman to address the above problems and significantly reduce the amount of time spent on labor.

Fetal Position

This is another component that will impact labor time. Most chiropractic treatments help adjust the pelvic positioning and in the process correctly places the fetus. That way, it will be easier for the fetus to be delivered easily. Health experts also believe that undergoing chiropractic treatments help avoid the acquisition of any form of back labor.

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Common Myths on Chiropractic Care

Some people are still scared of trying alternative treatments, particular chiropractic care, because of misconceptions and myths. Here are some common myths you might have heard about chiropractic care:

Myth: Chiropractic is Painful

Chiropractic is generally painless. A lot of patients immediately feel relieved and relaxed after treatments. Some even describe the procedure and experience similarly to getting a massage. Patients that have long been struggling with neck pain and back pain may feel some discomfort, but their visits become more relaxing and comfortable over time.

Most adult patients look forward to chiropractic treatments. Chiropractic treatment on kids and infants are also generally pain-free, although children may feel apprehension and fright at first.

A session may last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the condition treated and the affected areas. Patients will feel discomfort or mild pain depending on the severity of the condition, as well as their personal tolerance for pain.

Myth: Chiropractic is Dangerous

Chiropractic is very safe. Chiropractic adjustments are considered to be one of the safest therapies for neck and back pain and problems. The risk for developing severe complications from spinal manipulation is actually rare. Spinal manipulation is encouraged by most doctors, before patients are recommended to undergo surgery. The alternative treatment is also considered as an initial option before taking strong drugs like steroids and antidepressants.

Myth: Chiropractors are Less Capable Compared to Medical Doctors

Chiropractors actually go through very strict and demanding training and education. These courses are very similar to the ones taken by medical doctor, except for subjects like surgery and pharmacology. Chiropractors are required to study for 2 to 4 years first as an undergraduate, before completing 4 to 5 years of academic studies at a chiropractic college.

The qualified professionals are then well-equipped in subjects such as pathology, radiology, biomechanics, differential diagnosis, physiology, chiropractic adjustive techniques and other health concerns. There are also State and National Board Examinations to ensure qualification. Continuing education is required for all practitioners too.

Myth: Chiropractic is Pricey

Chiropractic is considered to be both effective and cost-effective. Chiropractic can be vastly more affordable compared to undergoing major medical interventions like surgery and getting on long term drug taking programs. Chiropractic care patients discovered that they have significantly reduced their expenses for inpatient visits, health care programs and medications.

Evaluation sessions are also quick and cheap. Patients may only need to visit their chiropractors a few times every year or so, depending on the development in the condition. Once patients have successfully gone through a treatment program, they will be given an option to continue being treated or to go for periodic visits.

Preventive programs are also available to help people get rid of back, spine and neck problems before major interventions are required.

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