What Conditions Benefit from Chiropractic Treatment?

Most people are aware that a chiropractor is trained to treat back and neck pain, but that's only the beginning. Chiropractic treatment can address pain in many other areas, and resulting from a wide variety of conditions. A chiropractor could also possibly assist you in addressing a number of your general health concerns. A chiropractic exam may reveal spinal issues that decrease joint flexibility or decrease body function in any organ of the body.

Chiropractors Relieve Pain

Chiropractic treatment for pain relief is not limited to the neck and back. Many painful conditions are related to nervous system problems that respond well to chiropractic treatment. These can include headaches, migraine headaches, arthritis, leg and hip pain, and more. Drugs only mask the source. Masking the pain for an extended period of time allows the underlying causes to escalate and the problem to become more severe. Any surgery is risky and should only be considered after all other treatment options have been exhausted.

Painful ear infections, for example, can be the result of subluxations compromising the immune system. Adjustments correct the subluxations and allow the immune system to function properly, reducing the risk of infection and addressing the root of the problem.

Replenish Joint Flexibility

Chiropractic care is often effective in treating conditions involving joint flexibility. It is a common course of treatment for sacroiliac dysfunction, which is associated with lower back pain. There are a number of chiropractic procedures, including mechanical adjustments, that have proven to be successful in replenishing joint flexibility.

A properly aligned spine helps maintain flexibility in the temporomandibular joint in the jaw, in particular. Spinal and TMJ issues often go hand in hand. Adjustments to the upper cervical spine and skull can relieve pressure on the spine and cranial bones, relieving the tension in the TMJ as well.

Osteoarthritis commonly results from weight-bearing joints that have improper loads applied to them. Joint motion is limited, leading to calcification, or too much motion wears the joint away. There is no cure for arthritis, but treatment has been shown to stop the progression as well as lessen or eliminate the symptoms.

Increase Body Function

Many people visit a chiropractor without a specific complaint in mind. Your chiropractor offers the benefits of overall wellness and increased body function in addition to addressing specific conditions. There are 31 pairs of nerves in our spinal cord that travel from the brain and exit the spinal cord at specific areas, controlling each organ in the body.

The nerves that control the abdominal organs exit the spinal cord in the lower back region, and so do the nerves that control your lower back and legs. Many patients who see a chiropractor for lower back issues may also experience constipation or diarrhea problems, or menstrual difficulties. A patient with neck pain might also suffer headaches or sinus difficulty.