19 Jun The Healing Power of Chiropractic Care

Although chiropractic care originated in China and Greece thousands of years ago, the practice of chiropractic care was formalized in 1895 in Iowa by D.D. Palmer when he manipulated a spine for a patient who was then healed of deafness and pain. Today, the advances in chiropractic training and experience have resulted in vastly-improved health outcomes and pain-free living for individuals worldwide. 

Most people know how to find a good physician, but what elements are important in chiropractic care? What helps determine whether you will receive the care you need or not? If you ask friends for chiropractor recommendations, you may hear that one friendly chiropractor has a convenient office in the neighborhood, while another will recommend a female chiropractor who offers holistic care far beyond the basics. What elements should be included in effective chiropractic care?  

Element 1:   Training and Experience

Visiting a chiropractor can be daunting, especially on a first visit. Many times, individuals are uncertain regarding manipulations they’ve heard about. Stories circulate about chiropractors who pummel patients with hard-cracking spinal adjustments that simply cause more pain. However, the truth is far from that scenario and the best chiropractors have been fully trained and are experienced in chiropractic care. On a first visit, check to ensure the chiropractor is board certified and has experience in the field. The healing power of chiropractic care begins with a board certified chiropractor who has some years of experience. 

Element 2:   A Listening Attitude 

A chiropractor who has your best care in mind will always listen as you describe symptoms, pain, pressure points and other indications that a chiropractic adjustment or other treatment is needed. In fact, listening to patients is the most important element for all doctors, as treatment must start with the description or explanation of symptoms by the patient, followed by an examination and recommendations. 

The healing power of chiropractic care starts here. Your chiropractor will typically engage in conversation with you during your appointment for at least the first five to ten minutes. This is the opportunity you have to express your concerns and detail your symptoms. Without the background knowledge, your chiropractor cannot specifically focus on your pain management and healing process.  

Element 3:   Specific Treatment of Conditions

An experienced chiropractor will treat the following conditions, along with additional specialized processes in certain cases: 

• Back pain
• Posture problems 
• Spinal misalignment
• Neck Pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Musculoskeletal stresses 
• Musculoskeletal strains
• Chronic pain conditions
• Systemic disorders

The human body is often afflicted with one or more of the above painful conditions. When skeletal alignment or other manipulations are offered under the right conditions and using the appropriate instruments, the healing of the body begins and pain often disappears completely within minutes. 

Element 4:  A Holistic Perspective 

A chiropractor who offers holistic care is one who is trained in a wider application of chiropractic knowledge. Holistic healing, or “whole-body healing”, includes multiple applications of healing treatments and body-mind-emotional connectives to bring multi-phasic healing to the patient. In addition to spinal adjustments, the following types of treatments are included in holistic chiropractic care.

Joint adjustments

Typically using one’s hands, a chiropractor will apply a controlled force to a joint. This is also known as spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment. The force applied is not a smooth, rolling force; it is a sudden movement that applies pressure where the joint is misaligned. This forces the joint to move back into correct position, bringing relief. In some cases, chiropractors will alternatively use a small instrument in this procedure to aid in controlling the movement to the joint.

Massage

A holistic chiropractor is considering the treatment of the whole body; therefore, a massage will include several elements that produce healing power from within. These elements may include joint manipulation, stretching, deep-tissue massage, and myofascial massage. Deep-tissue massage is exactly as it sounds: pressure is placed on muscle groups to effectively reach and break down the tissues that are out of position. Deep-tissue massage is restorative and highly effective when correctly applied. Myofascial tissues are the lean structural tissues that support the muscles, as well as wrap the muscles. Myofascial tissues can be very tough, calling for massage techniques that can reach the core of the pain within those tissues. 

Ultrasound Therapy

When individuals have internal tissues that are scarred or when inflammation is present in the body, ultrasound therapy is sometimes applied to create a healing environment for those conditions. Blood flow is increased via ultrasound, which reduces inflammation and soothes muscle spasms, offering a healing pathway for the body overall. Multiple treatments may be required, depending on the condition and the pain level within the body. 

Exercise Therapy

When the body has a spinal dislocation, holistic chiropractors will often prescribe a regiment of regular exercise to strengthen muscle groups. For example, a lumbar spondylosis may be caused by an accident, or it may be age-related. The bones and discs of the spine are dislocated; exercises to strengthen the core muscles of the body’s midsection can help relieve pain or remove it altogether.  

Nutritional Counseling 

An old adage says, “You are what you eat.” Holistic chiropractors believe there is a strong connection between the human diet and the health of their bodies and will advise and lead clients to eat clean foods, eliminate processed foods and avoid other foods that are unhealthful in general. This leads to better absorption and metabolism, bringing healing power to the body.

Wellness Plan

A holistic chiropractor will craft a wellness plan for the body, including the elements listed above, to specifically address the condition of the patient’s body. In addition, nutritional supplements, natural healing products, and other wellness-directed items may be suggested to support the holistic treatment of the patient. In support of the physical healing, chiropractors may suggest emotional support for the mind, as well, depending on the needs of the individual.  

Element 5:  Patient-Centric Care

Whether a chiropractor offers conventional therapies or takes a holistic approach, the healing power of chiropractic care begins when you enter the chiropractor’s office. Chiropractors who are patient-centric and dedicated to pain relief will bring patients to better health and an improved understanding of how their bodies function best. Wishing you well! 

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Last Updated on June 19, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD