You Might Need a Chiropractor If…Almost Anything

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By: Sara Butler

Life is packed with those moments that make you shake your head and say, "Well, that’ll be a story one day." They may not be funny while you're feeling the pain, but trust us, your future self (and your chiropractor) will find it hilarious. So, let’s play a little game: You might need a chiropractor if…

You’ve sneezed so hard you felt something pop. You’ve fallen asleep in a weird position—on the couch, mid-Netflix binge, half-eating a bag of chips. Or maybe your job involves sitting, standing, or lifting heavy things all day, and now your body sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies with every move.

These life "adventures" can easily land you on the drop table at The Joint Chiropractic. And sometimes, it’s worth getting ahead of the story—before you become the punchline at the next party.

What is chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care is all about keeping your body in line—literally. It focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing issues with your musculoskeletal and nervous system, especially around your spine. Chiropractors know that your nervous system is the boss of all your body’s functions, and when something’s off with your spine, it can throw everything else out of whack. That’s where chiropractic care comes in—to get things back in sync. There are a few key things to know about how it works.

Spinal adjustments

Spinal adjustments are the treatment at the heart of chiropractic care. Chiropractors perform them by applying force to the joints, which may help address joint dysfunctions in the spine to improve mobility, nerve interference, and pain.

Manual therapy

Chiropractors may also use other manual techniques, such as massage and stretching, to treat musculoskeletal conditions.

Lifestyle advice

Chiropractors may advise on lifestyle factors impacting health, such as diet, exercise, and stress reduction. Chiropractic care for stress may be helpful.

Common conditions treated with chiropractic care:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Sciatica
• Sports injuries

What physical activities are most likely to lead to needing a chiropractor?

Certain physical activities—especially those involving repetitive motion, heavy lifting, or high-impact movements—can increase the likelihood of needing chiropractic care. Here’s a breakdown of the most common culprits:

• High-impact sports: Football, basketball, and gymnastics can put a lot of stress on your joints and muscles, making them prime candidates for chiropractic attention.
• Overuse injuries: Repititive motions, like those in swimming or tennis, can lead to overuse injuries such as tendonitis or bursitis.
• Poor posture: Sitting, standing, or working with poor posture strains the spine, setting you up for discomfort or injury over time.
• Sudden trauma: Accidents, falls, or unexpected twists can lead to injuries that might require chiropractic care.
• Age-related degeneration: Natural wear and tear on our bones and joints can lead to back and neck pain. Chiropractic care may help minimize discomfort and reduce the risk of injury from falls.

Of course, it’s not just high-intensity athletes or seniors who need a chiropractor. Genetics, chronic stress, and underlying health conditions can also affect your musculoskeletal system. And let’s be honest—if you’ve ever uttered the words, “Hey, y’all! Watch this!” you might just be a step away from a chiropractic adjustment.

What life events might push someone to need chiropractic care?

Certain life events can create physical stress, trauma, or wear and tear on the body, potentially leading someone to seek chiropractic care. These events often cause posture, muscle tension, or joint alignment changes, which may lead to pain or discomfort. Several common life events might push someone to need chiropractic care.

• Moving: The stress of packing, lifting heavy boxes, and adjusting to a new environment can strain the body.
• Pregnancy and childbirth: Hormonal changes, weight gain, and the physical demands of childbirth can put stress on the spine and joints.
• Stress and anxiety: Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension and “misalignment” or restricted movement in the spine.
• Job changes: New job responsibilities, ergonomic challenges, or increased work hours can contribute to musculoskeletal problems.
• Illness or injury: Recovering from an illness or injury can sometimes lead to postural changes and muscle imbalances.
• Getting married: This may sound odd, but if you’re going to be included in photos, a chiropractic adjustment may help you achieve the best posture possible while posing -- or standing for a couple of hours as an attendant in a long ceremony.

What occupations benefit from regular chiropractic care?

Some jobs are tough on the body, whether from physical demands or repetitive motions that lead to strain, misalignment, or injury. In these professions, regular chiropractic care can make all the difference—especially if you're dealing with chronic pain. Check out a few examples:

• Office workers: Long hours at a desk and less-than-ideal posture can leave your back and neck aching.
• Construction workers: The heavy lifting and physical strain of construction can put a lot of stress on your muscles and joints.
• Healthcare professionals: Nurses, doctors, and other medical workers spend hours on their feet and often perform repetitive tasks, which can lead to musculoskeletal pain.
• Athletes: Whether you're a pro or a weekend warrior, chiropractic care can help with recovery, boost performance, and prevent future injuries.
• Drivers: Sitting behind the wheel for long periods can seriously damage your back and overall comfort.

And that’s just the start! Anyone can benefit from chiropractic care. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always worth checking in with a healthcare professional.

What unusual activities could necessitate a trip to the chiropractor?

Several unusual or less commonly recognized activities can cause strain, misalignment, or discomfort, potentially necessitating a trip to the chiropractor. These activities often involve unexpected physical exertion, awkward postures, or repetitive motions.

• Gardening and yard work: Activities like digging, bending, lifting heavy bags of soil, or prolonged kneeling can strain the back, neck, and knees, potentially causing misalignment or muscle pain. Anyone ever shoveled snow?
• Playing musical instruments: Musicians, especially those playing large or awkward instruments like the cello, violin, or guitar, often maintain repetitive postures that can lead to neck, shoulder, and back pain. This includes people in marching bands where posture is graded.
• Doing DIY projects: Painting, hammering, drilling, or heavy lifting during home renovations can strain muscles and joints, leading to dysfunction. Household chores can also pose a risk.
• Playing with children or pets: Lifting, bending, or playing on the floor with kids or pets can lead to unexpected strains, twists, or muscle pulls.
• Riding amusement park attractions: The sudden jolts, twists, and high-speed movements of roller coasters and other rides can cause neck and back strain, especially if safety restraints aren't properly adjusted.
• Having extreme hobbies: High-intensity hobbies like rock climbing, parkour, skateboarding, or aerial arts can involve falls, twists, or repetitive stress that impacts spinal alignment and joints.
• Traveling: Prolonged sitting in cramped spaces during long flights or road trips can cause stiffness, back pain, and poor posture, often necessitating chiropractic adjustments.
• Sleeping in odd positions: Sleeping in awkward positions, such as on a couch, in a car, or using too many pillows, can lead to neck and back pain that might require chiropractic attention.
• Playing video games: Sitting for extended hours in poor posture, especially in gaming chairs that don’t provide proper support, can cause neck, shoulder, and back discomfort.
• Having sudden coughing or sneezing fits: An intense or awkwardly timed cough or sneeze can cause sharp back or neck pain due to muscle spasms or sudden movements.
• Rearranging furniture: Even slightly shifting heavy furniture can cause unexpected back strain or muscle pulls.
• Dancing at social events: Unplanned, vigorous dancing, especially in unfamiliar shoes, can cause muscle strains, twisted ankles, or back pain.

These activities, though seemingly ordinary or recreational, can lead to unexpected strain on the body. This highlights the importance of being mindful of posture, proper technique, and body mechanics, which may help prevent injury.

You might need chiropractic if…you’re a regular person with a regular job who may or may not participate in sports. The bottom line is that all people—young or old, marathon runner or couch potato, high-powered CEO, or school teacher—may benefit from regular chiropractic care. Studies have shown that chiropractic care has a variety of benefits for any person. So what are you waiting for? See a chiropractor at any of the nationwide The Joint Chiropractic locations today.

The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this page, is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise, and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician, or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.