Your First Chiropractic Visit
Crack, pop, snap. Ahh, the beautiful sounds of a chiropractic visit. To some people the procedures, manipulating bones, adjusting vertebrae and rearranging the spine, may come off as being harsh. However, in actuality chiropractic is a non-invasive form of treatment that can help a wide variety of ailments.
It is best known for helping ease neck and back pain, however chiropractic may help with everything from chronic pain to sleeping disorders. Chiropractors preform the treatments by administering adjustments, also called manipulations, either by hands or by using instruments that assist in the therapy process. The adjustments are done by applying quick, controlled, yet forceful bursts of pressure to the joints in the spine. This technique quickly and painlessly readjusts the spine back to its proper place, allowing the body to function at its optimal level, working as both a treatment for existing injuries and preventative purposes.
Chiropractors believe that the body is able to heal itself from basic illnesses. The nervous system plays a big part in the function of the body. When there are problems with spine, such as interference from spinal dysfunctions, then this hinders the bodies ability to do that healing on its own. Chiropractors refer to these dysfunctions as subluxations. When subluxations are corrected through chiropractic manipulations, then both the spine and the nervous system are able to return to their most healthy state. Sometimes pressure gets built up in the joints, and the release of that pressure can also contribute to the flow of the bodily systems, especially the flow between the brain and the nervous system.
Although chiropractic is a generally low risk treatment, it is important to be aware of any potentialities of any form of physical therapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, serious complications during chiropractic manipulations are rare. However, if you are experiencing late stage osteoporosis, extreme numbness and tingling in the extremities, spinal cancer or have a history of stroke, then you may want to speak to your primary care medical doctor before receiving chiropractic care.
During your first visit, expect to have an initial conversation about your chiropractor about your medical history, you current health issues and what you want out of the therapy. The procedure itself will involve you laying on a padded chiropractic table, face down, while the chiropractor administers the manipulations. The cracking, popping and snapping sounds are completely normal, that is just the way the joints sound when they are moved. Although side effects are rare, you may experience minor headaches, fatigue or soreness while the body adjusts to the new therapy. In general, chiropractic may be a viable treatment option for all demographics.
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