Chiropractic is a licensed health care profession that emphasises the body’s ability to heal itself. Treatment typically involves manual therapy, often including spinal manipulation.

What is chiropractic — What do Chiropractors do?

Chiropractors approach patient care in a manner similar to that used in conventional medicine. They interview the patient, obtain a detailed health history, perform an examination, do tests, and develop a working diagnosis. They then develop a management plan, start treatment, and monitor the patient’s progress. Chiropractors often treat problems related to the musculoskeletal system.
The manual treatment methods used by chiropractors range from stretching and sustained pressure to specific joint manipulations, which are usually delivered by hand and involve a quick and gentle thrust. The purpose of the manipulations is to improve joint motion and function. Manipulations are most commonly done on the spine, but other parts of the body may also be treated in this way.

Back pain — What can Chiropractors assist in?
Lower back pain and/or leg pain (sciatica)
Neck pain
Repetitive strains
Headaches
Sports injuries
Car accident injuries
Whiplash
Sacroiliac pain
Shoulder pain
Tingling in arms and hands
Tingling in legs and foot
Knee pain
Arthritic pain
Prevention

What to expect at your first visit

An initial chiropractic exam for back pain will typically have three parts: a consultation, case history, and physical examination. Laboratory analysis and X-ray examination may be performed.
1. Consultation. The patient meets with the chiropractor and provides a brief synopsis of his or her lower back pain, such as:
  - Duration and frequency of symptoms
  - Description of the symptoms (e.g. burning, throbbing)
  - Areas of pain
  - What makes the pain feel better (e.g. sitting, stretching)
  - What makes the pain feel worse (e.g. standing, lifting).
2. Case history. The chiropractor identifies the area(s) of complaint and the nature of the back pain by asking questions and learning more about different areas of the patient's history, including:
  - Family history
  - Dietary habits
  - Past history of other treatments (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical and other)
  - Occupational history
  - Psychosocial history
  - Other areas to probe, often based on responses to above questions
  - Physical examination. A chiropractor may utilize a variety of methods to determine the spinal segments that require chiropractic treatments, including but not limited to static and motion palpation techniques determining spinal segments that are hypo mobile (restricted in their movement) or fixated. Depending on the results of the above examination, a chiropractor may use additional diagnostic tests, such as:
    1. X-ray to locate subluxations (the altered position of the vertebra)
    2. A device that detects the temperature of the skin in the paraspinal region to identify spinal areas with a significant temperature variance that requires manipulation.
      Chiropractors are trained in a variety of methods to assess the underlying cause of the problem, including:
      1. Evaluation and management services. Chiropractors are trained in examining the joints, bones, muscles and tendons of the spine, head, extremities and other areas of the body with the purpose of noting any misalignment, tenderness, asymmetry, defects or other problems.
        Neurologic and other common physical examination procedures. Chiropractors are trained to perform a variety of neurologic tests (nerve root compression/tension, motor strength, coordination, deep tendon and pathological reflexes, etc.) and are skilled in performing orthopedic, cardiovascular and many other common examinations.
        Specialised assessment. Chiropractors are trained to assess range of motion, stability, muscle strength, muscle tone and other assessments with the lower back.
        Common diagnostic studies. Chiropractors are trained in use of diagnostic studies and tools such as radiography (X-rays), laboratory diagnostics and neurodiagnostics.

chiropractic back pain — Chiropractic Treatment

A chiropractic adjustment, also known as chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation, or spinal manipulation, is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain.
A chiropractic adjustment refers to a chiropractor applying manipulation to the vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally.
The objective of this chiropractic treatment is to reduce the subluxation, with the goals of increasing range of motion, reducing nerve irritability and improving function.

Poor sleep — Prevention

Prevention is key to living a healthy and happy life. Chiropractic care can help to keep movement levels at a high so you can be supple and mobile as you get older. This can in turn help to reduce future problems that sometimes can be irreversible.

References

What is Chiropractic?

What do Chiropractors do?

What can Chiropractors assist in?

What to expect at your first visit

Chiropractic Treatment

Prevention

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