Tag: Pain Discomfort

When to Visit a Chiropractor

You may have heard that chiropractic care has many benefits. These benefits include natural relief of pain, discomfort, and difficulty walking. You receive pain relief, but it isnt like with over-the-counter medications. Relief is a combination of instant and long-lasting.

When should you visit a chiropractor?

After a car accident. Many car accident victims suffer from whiplash. This is painful, but usually corrects on its own. Therapeutic massages from a chiropractor can provide temporary relief. As the natural correction occurs, a chiropractor will monitor the progression. They will make the decision to perform an adjustment or realignment if and when the time is right. Even if you arent diagnosed has having whiplash, there are still benefits to seeking chiropractic care after an automobile accident.

If participating in sports. All athletes, both old and young, can benefit from continued chiropractic care. After a sports injury, massage and adjustments are important for pain relief and to prevent later complications. All athletes should seek chiropractic care after an injury, but you dont have to wait. Contact sports place a lot of pressure on the spine and other joints.

If pregnant. Many pregnant women mistakenly believe that chiropractic care is dangerous. It isnt. In fact, there are many benefits to incorporating it into prenatal care. Lower back pain is common in the later stages of pregnancy. A chiropractor can eliminate these pains. Also, the hormonal changes a woman experiences during pregnancy can bring back the pain from prior injuries.

If you just gave birth. After labor, a womans body goes through many changes. Severe labor pains and difficult labors can lead to join or spinal pain. These are specialties treated by chiropractors. Not only should you seek chiropractic care after birth, but bring your newborn into. Chiropractic care is safe for individuals of all ages. Birth is not only difficult on the mother, but the child too.

Headaches. As previously stated, individuals should see a chiropractor when experiencing pain and discomfort. This is common with a headache. Daily stress can cause headaches, but there can be a more serious underlying cause. For example, muscle contractions can cause spinal pressure. A neck adjustment or realignment can alleviate the pressure and pain.

Arthritis. Many arthritis patients mistakenly believe that they will suffer for the rest of their lives. It does not have to be that way. It is possible to seek relief from chiropractic care. Over-the-counter pain relief pills and surgery arent your only option. A chiropractor can adjust joints to promote free movement. Therapeutic massages can treat ongoing chronic pain.

If your child has a medical condition that causes them pain and discomfort. When considering this, also think outside of the box. A chiropractor can help your child with lower back pains and frequent headaches, but that is not all. Chiropractic care, spinal and joint manipulation can all reduce the discomfort associated with frequent earaches, allergies, sleep disorders, and scoliosis.

When stress consumes your life. With the troubling economy, growing number of layoffs, and increasing number of foreclosures, all Americans have stress. There is a difference between stressing over losing your home and stressing over the little things, such as having a clean house. Those who suffer from stress severe enough to have a panic attack cannot only benefit from relaxing therapeutic massages, but adjustments too. Occasionally, an aggravated nerve route sends confusing messages to the brain.

If you just want to improve your health. Overtime, it is easy to develop spine and joint problems. These problems may be mild and may not even result in pain, but that may change later in life. Chiropractic care also prevents free and healthy movement. It does so with no medications or invasive procedures. If you want your body to stay healthy, active, and natural, chiropractic care is the way to go.

In short, most patients want a reason to seek chiropractic care. In fact, their insurance providers would like a reason too. Truthfully, you can seek care for any reason or none at all.

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Seeking Chiropractic Care: What You Need to Know

Do you suffer from pain, discomfort, or have difficulty moving? Whether that pain is caused by arthritis, an injury, or if you dont know the cause, you may consider chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is a natural way to seek pain relief. With proper treatment, that relief will be long-term and long-lasting. However, if this is your first time seeking chiropractic care, you may have many questions. Continue reading on to get your answers.

Question: What types of conditions can chiropractors treat?

Answer: A wide range. Many are actually surprised to hear that chiropractors treat more than just back pain. This is a common misconception. In actuality, they treat a wide range of medical conditions that result in pain, discomfort, and decreased mobility. They typically treat neuromusculosketal complaints and joint pains in the entire body.

Question: What types of treatments are offered in chiropractic care?

Answer: Many. Although many procedures are performed, two are common. They are adjustments and therapeutic massages. One mistake that many make is believing that they can perform these procedures at home; it is very risky. A chiropractic adjustment is a fine practice that only a few know how to master. Yes, only the hands are used, but precision force is required. The hands manipulate joints to enhance function, improve mobility, and reduce pain. These joints are important to mobility. One wrong move and a person can land themselves in a world of pain.

Question: Is chiropractic care safe?

Answer: Yes. Many are surprised to learn just how safe chiropractic care is. It is actually a lot safer than most traditional forms of medicine. Chiropractors do not prescribe medication. They cannot, but most would not anyways. This is because they believe in natural relief. They also aim for more than just temporary relief, but a permanent solution to the problem. Most primary care physicians mask pain with over-the-counter or prescribed pain pills. This temporarily stops pain, but it will return. On the other hand, chiropractors target the source of the pain and fix it. So, not only is chiropractic care safe, but you get better, longer lasting results.

Question: Do you need a referral before seeing a chiropractor?

Answer: You shouldnt. Many insurance providers do require referrals for specialists, such as surgeons. Although chiropractors do have a specialty, which is natural manual therapy, they are not legally classified as specialists. All states classify them as contact physicians. This means your insurance provider should not require you to have a referral. In fact, chiropractors provide referrals. In cases that they cannot treat, such as a neck fracture, the patient is referred to a qualified surgeon.

Question: Does chiropractic care hurt?

Answer: It shouldnt. If you opt for a certified chiropractor who performs all procedures correctly it should not hurt. The only exception is with a therapeutic massage. If you suffer from arthritis, your joints already hurt. The first couple of touches may result in some discomfort, but that will soon disappear. As for adjustments, they should not hurt. Although chiropractors advise against cracking our knuckles, we have all done it. It is similar. You may hear a popping sound, but will feel no pain.

Question: How do I find a chiropractor?

Answer: You have many options. It is easier to turn to your local phone book. In the yellow pages or the business directory, look under the headings of physicians, or chiropractic care. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) allows you to search for doctors of chiropractic (D.C.) on their website, located at AmerChiro.org.

Question: Does insurance cover chiropractic care?

Answer: It depends on your insurance company and the coverage plan you selected. A growing number of insurance providers are extending coverage for chiropractic care. Some are doing so at the suggestion of employers and employees. Those in physically demanding professions, such as construction and mail delivery, can benefit from having easy and affordable access to care.

Question: What about those who do not have health insurance?

Answer: If you do not have health insurance, do not avoid seeking chiropractic care. Instead, find a care provider who is willing to work with you. Some will develop affordable payment plans. Some chiropractors also accept credit cards as payment. Although the costs increase with late fees and interest rates, it may be your only way to seek relief.

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How to Choose a Chiropractor

If you suffer from pain, discomfort, and difficulty moving, you can head to your primary care physician or your medicine cabinet. These approaches do work, but only temporarily. You want to do more than just treat the symptoms of pain. You want to find its cause and fix it. This is where chiropractic care can and should come in.

What is chiropractic care? It is a natural form of medical care. Patients can seek relief from a wide range of aliments, including arthritis, sleep difficulties, allergies, headaches, joint pain, joint stiffness, and so forth. As for how it differs from traditional forms of medical care, chiropractors believe in an all-natural approach. Relief is sought though manual therapy, which involves use of the hands. Common treatments include realignments and adjustments. Chiropractors use precision and force to thrust a joint into its proper position.

Since chiropractic care has many benefits, you may want to seek treatment. When that time comes, you need to find chiropractors in your area. First, examine your options. You can do so by looking in the yellow pages of your local phone book, performing a standard internet search online, or using an online business directory. You now have the contact information for local chiropractors, but who will you choose? You need to do more than just find a chiropractor; you need to choose once. What should you consider?

Insurance coverage. If you have health insurance and if that coverage includes chiropractic care, contact your health insurance company. See who you can visit. Some insurance providers work with a network of physicians. You may receive extra discounts and other moneysaving benefits by opting for an in-network chiropractor. If you have the freedom to choose, opt for a one that accepts your insurance.

Costs. Whether you are insured or not, costs should be considered when choosing a chiropractor. It is important to seek natural pain relief, but you must be able to afford it. When uninsured, find a quality chiropractor who has flexible payment options. This may include monthly payment plans or credit card payments.

Recommendations from those you know. As previously stated it is easy to use the internet or a phone book to find a local chiropractor. Unfortunately, these options usually just provide you with a phone number and an address. All chiropractors ease your pain, but they have varying people skills, rates, and overall attitudes. You need a chiropractor you feel comfort with. This may involve trial and error and meeting with a number of professionals, or you can ask those that you know for recommendations and detailed feedback.

Read reviews online. Although it is best to ask those that you personally know for feedback on a local chiropractor, you may not know anyone. Chiropractic care has many benefits, but most wait until they are in pain or suffer an injury before seeking treatment. If you do not know someone who has undergone this natural medical care, turn to the internet. Many online business directories, such as the one operated by Yahoo, enable consumers to rate and review businesses, including chiropractors. Enter in the chiropractic care, your address and see what results popup. Reviews are shown as stars.

As mentioned above, you may need to rely on trial and error. If you are unable to find reviews online and do not know someone who as received chiropractic care, use your best judgment. Schedule an appointment with a local chiropractor. In most cases, the first appointment is similar to a consultation appointment. Make mental notes. Is he or she listening to you? Are they offering helpful suggestions for at home too? Do you feel comfortable with your chiropractor? If so, you made a good choice. If not, move on to the next. You can switch care providers at anytime and for any reason.

In short, you need to do more than just pick a chiropractor out a phone book. It is important to receive quality care, but start with costs. Ending your pain and discomfort is important, but make sure you can afford treatment.

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Chiropractic Care: Your First Visit

You may have heard that chiropractic care has many benefits. It is a natural form of healthcare that can lead to long-term relief of pain, discomfort, and improved mobility. Most patients see a chiropractor when in pain, but you do not have to wait. If you want to lead a natural and healthy life, seek natural medical care through a chiropractor.

Regardless of your reason for seeking chiropractic care, you may wonder about your first appointment. What can you expect?

Paperwork. Many new patients mistakenly believe they will not need to fill out a lot of paperwork. Unfortunately, all medication professionals recommend it. This is for your own safety though. Even though chiropractors do not administer medication, they still need all the information on your background and medical history. In addition to the medical history forms, you will be required to provide your contact and payment information.

On average, it can take 10 to 20 minutes to fill out all required paperwork. Your chiropractor may ask you to arrive early. If you are pressed for time, ask to pickup these forms ahead of time. You can complete them at home and bring with you to your appointment.

Education. Chiropractic care is unlike traditional medical care. Yes, there are many similarities, but there are also many differences. As previously stated, they do not administer medication. They also do not perform surgery. What they do use is diagnosable medical tools, such as sonograms, x-rays, and MRIs. After these tools are used to get a proper diagnosis, manual therapy kicks in. Chiropractors use their hands, precise force, and their training to treat spinal and joint problems.

As for why education is important, many are unfamiliar with chiropractic care. Most Americans have it drilled into their heads that rest, relaxation, and pain medications are the best way to seek relief. After all, we have heard this for years. Your chiropractor will educate you on the history of chiropractic care, its benefits, the differences between other forms of medical care, and why you made the right choice to come in for an appointment.

Examination. You will undergo a number of tests when at a first chiropractic appointment. As previously stated, you will get a quick physical exam. Your doctor may take your height and weight, test your blood pressure, or take your temperature. If he or she suspects a serious injury, a sonogram, MRI, or x-ray may be used. If not, your chiropractor will rely on their hands to get a good feel of the area causing you pain.

Consultation. This step varies depending on appointment length, chiropractor preferences, and diagnosis. If your doctor wants to wait and review your tests or take time to think about a course of treatment, you will need to return for a second appointment. This should conclude your first one. Some chiropractors can and will diagnose right away. They will then consult their findings and preferred method of treatment right away. In fact, treatment may begin. This may involve a simple therapeutic massage or a spinal or joint adjustment.

Picture taking. Although optional, many chiropractors like to take pictures of their new patients. Some want to highlight improvements. Your chiropractor may use before and after pictures to show to new patients or at medical conferences, but most will ask for permission first. They may also want you to see the difference at the end of treatment.

So, there you have it. You can expect some of these things at your first appointment. All medical professionals are different, so your first appointment may vary slightly.

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