Is Chiro Waste Of Money?
Introduction
Have you ever tried chiro treatment for overuse, muscle injuries, and sports injuries? Musculoskeletal pain, such as neck pain, lower back pain, and shoulder pain, as well as nerve impingement caused by disc herniation, are common reasons people seek chiropractic care.
Understanding Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic is a complementary and alternative medicine that utilizes manual therapies to treat mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system. While medical doctors prescribe medicine for treatment, chiropractors manipulate the spine to correct misalignment.
Different Needs: Chronic vs. Acute Pain
Patients with chronic pain may require regular chiropractic treatment to maintain joint motion and control pain levels. On the other hand, individuals with acute pain need more intensive and frequent chiropractic care initially for pain relief.
The Misconception: Chiropractic as a One-Time Solution
Once acute pain is alleviated, some patients may consider further chiropractic care unnecessary and a waste of money. However, recurring pain often occurs when they return to their previous working routines or postures, and their bodies cannot compensate anymore. Patients with acute pain may need frequent visits to allied health practitioners for pain management. This creates a vicious cycle, where patients not only suffer from pain again but also spend more money than they would on regular chiropractic maintenance. There are numerous benefits to having regular chiropractic care, even if you don’t currently experience any pain. What could happen if poor posture and subluxation are not addressed for an extended period?
Long-Term Musculoskeletal Conditions – Chiro Near Me
Postural Imbalances and Their Impact – Chiropractor Near Me
Resting muscle tone refers to the tension that muscles maintain against gravity at rest to allow for a normal posture. For stationary postures, such as sitting and standing, specific muscle groups coordinate to sustain a posture against gravity.
The posture of head shifting forward, rounded shoulders, and a hunched back shortens suboccipital muscles, upper trapezius, pectoralis major and minor, and weakens deep neck flexors, middle, and lower trapezius. This postural error, called upper cross syndrome, contributes to headaches and neck pain. Anterior pelvic tilt is due to weak gluteus maximus and abdominals, which fail to hold the pelvis in the proper position. Tight hip flexors and low back extensor musculature are responsible for anterior pelvic tilt. This combination creates lower cross syndrome, characterized by muscle imbalance of these four muscles.
The Relationship Between Subluxation And Degeneration – Chiro Near Me
Understanding Vertebral Subluxation
Vertebral subluxations are commonly caused by injuries, bad posture, prolonged sitting, emotional stress, and repetitive movements. Initially, vertebral subluxations may not cause any pain, but patients may feel stiffness and discomfort where the subluxation is.
The Consequences of Untreated Subluxation
If vertebral subluxations are not corrected for a while, stiff joints and reduced range of motion may occur, leading to pain. Over time, normal spinal curvature may be lost. The loss of cervical (neck) lordosis can cause weight distribution changes on the cervical discs, potentially leading to disc herniation at different levels in the cervical region. Nerve impingement due to disc bulging compression can result in pins and needles and burning pain in corresponding nerve innervated areas. Similarly, poor posture may trigger disc bulging in the lumbar region and cause sciatica, which radiates from the lower back to the glutes, back thighs, legs, or heels.
Whether experiencing acute or chronic pain, patients often tend to see chiropractors only when they can no longer tolerate the pain. Chiropractic manipulation is a fast and effective treatment for alleviating musculoskeletal pain and removing vertebral subluxations.
However, not every issue is reversible. When musculoskeletal problems persist, such as chronic subluxations causing joint stiffness, the affected joint may begin the process of early degeneration. Early spinal degeneration is characterized by a loss of disc height and the formation of osteophytes. These changes lead to chronic joint pain and significantly reduced range of motion. Due to joint stiffness, muscles that attach to the joint work harder to generate movement, leading to tightness and tension.
Even though degeneration may happen with aging, chronic pain generated from arthritis and reduced joint motion significantly affects the quality of life.
The process of degeneration is irreversible. While spinal manipulation can improve joint motion and pain intensity, degenerated joints will not change structurally. Low-grade inflammation is associated with arthritis, leading to frequent joint pain relapses.
The Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Care – Chiro Near Me
Maintaining Postural Correction and Spinal Health
Undergoing regular chiropractic maintenance can maintain spinal alignment and muscle relaxation, potentially preventing early joint degeneration and pain flares. Waiting for pain to become more serious before seeking chiropractic treatment and maintenance is unnecessary.
During maintenance sessions, your chiropractor will use static and motion palpation to identify spine misalignments. Static palpation involves the patient staying still while the chiropractor palpates the spine and soft tissues to find subluxations, pain, and problematic soft tissues (inflammation). In motion palpation, the patient is mobilized in different directions to locate the affected joint and identify the direction of joint restriction.
During maintenance sessions, your chiropractor will adjust the spine to restore joint motion when misalignment is found through palpation. Vertebral subluxations may not present any pain or symptoms at all. Performing monthly chiropractic adjustments can keep you pain-free and prevent early degeneration. Additionally, better posture can be achieved as there are no restrictions preventing you from sitting or standing straighter.
Frequency of Chiropractic Maintenance
The frequency of chiro maintenance depends on the patient’s health conditions, occupation, posture, pain intensity, and more. Generally, once a month for maintenance is enough to maintain spinal health. If the patient has physical work, poor posture, and high pain intensity, more frequent treatments may be required. Maintenance visits can also be scheduled once every six weeks for patients with good posture and an active lifestyle.
Conclusion
Don’t wait for pain to become severe before seeking chiropractic treatment. Regular chiropractic care can prevent joint degeneration, improve spinal health, and lead to a better quality of life.
Kings Park Chiropractic – Chiro Near Me
Kings Park Chiropractic Clinic provides evidence-based healthcare for patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain, including headaches, migraines, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, and sciatica. Book now. Phone: (02) 9837 5161
Service Areas of Evidence-Based Practice
Kings Park NSW 2148
Kings Langley NSW 2147
Quakers Hill NSW 2763
Blacktown NSW 2148
Dural NSW 2158
Kellyville NSW 2155
Castle Hill NSW 2154
Bella Vista NSW 2153
Rouse Hill NSW 2155
Baulkham Hills NSW 2153
Glenhaven NSW 2156