What Conditions Can Chiropractic Care Treat?

Chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, which refers to the bones, muscles and connective tissues that give our body shape, strength and facilitate movement. A chiropractor is specially trained to be able to identify, diagnose, treat and manage disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. And there are many different disorders that regular chiropractic appointments can help with. Let’s look at some of the most common in more detail.

Back Pain

Unsurprisingly, back pain is the number one reason why most people visit their chiropractor. In fact, many people are surprised when they realize that chiropractors can treat much more than just back pain. There are many reasons why back pain occurs, from muscle tension and trapped nerves to a herniated disc. Sometimes the true cause of back pain in some patients is never fully understood. You can develop back pain suddenly, such as when you twist, bend or lift something and you then feel acute pain in your back, or it can develop slowly over a period of time. This is often the result of poor posture or an underlying health condition. Back pain can also vary in severity and type.

Chiropractic care focuses on realigning the spine so that there isn’t any excess pressure, herniated discs can return to position, and the body can function optimally again.

Headaches

Headaches are extremely common and can be caused by many things, from illness and loud noises to stress and tiredness. They also take many forms, and while some people experience headaches as bands around their forehead, or behind their eyes, others experience it in the back of their head, extending down to their neck. In fact, misalignment of the cervical spine is a common reason for recurrent headaches.

Chiropractic treatment has been shown to be very successful at reducing both the frequency of headaches and their severity. This is because ensuring the proper alignment of the spine can reduce pressure in the neck, increase circulation and prompt the release of feel-good chemicals called endorphins that help to reduce stress and tension.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Also known as DDD, this condition is a result of natural wear and tear on the spine and is usually associated with aging. As we get older, the small, circular discs that cushion each of the bones in the spine start to break down, losing their ability to absorb impact and causing issues like pain and loss of flexibility.

The aim of chiropractic treatment for DDD is to reduce inflammation (which it does by boosting your circulation) and improving mobility and function in the spine.

Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve or a branch of it becomes compressed and irritated, causing pain to extend down the length of it. Sciatica is characterized by pain that affects the buttocks and tops of the legs, down as far as the knee. This is usually sharp, shooting and sudden. Sciatica can affect anyone, but it is particularly common in pregnancy, when the weight of the baby can put pressure on the nerve.

Chiropractic treatment can realign the spine so that pressure on the sciatic nerve is reduced or eliminating, causing your symptoms to disappear.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in vehicle accidents, although it can also occur after a trip or fall. It happens when the muscles and tissues of the neck are hyperextended through sudden force, causing lots of tiny injuries that result in pain, inflammation and stiffness.

Chiropractic treatment can help your body to heal more quickly after a whiplash injury by increasing blood flow to the area, accelerating the recovery process.

If you would like to find out more about the conditions that chiropractic care can treat, please contact our friendly and knowledgeable team at Weierstahl Chiropractic Clinic in Owosso, Michigan at (989) 723-8864.