Bentonville Chiropractor adjustments are a type of manipulation used to realign joints and reduce pain. They also promote a healthy lifestyle and overall wellness.
Despite some common myths, chiropractic is one of the safest treatment options for pain and musculoskeletal conditions. It has a lower risk of serious complications than surgery or prescription drugs.
Safety
Many people seek chiropractic care to alleviate pain, improve their overall health and well-being and reduce the need for medications or invasive medical procedures. Unlike many other medical and wellness treatments, chiropractic adjustments are non-invasive, drug-free and safe for the vast majority of patients. Despite these benefits, many patients are concerned about potential side effects from spinal manipulations. This is especially true for first-time patients, who may experience some discomfort or changes in their body during or after an adjustment. Whether you’re a new or seasoned chiropractic patient, here are some common questions and answers to help you understand how these adjustments affect the body.
While it’s common for some people to feel “weird” after a spinal adjustment, these sensations are typically temporary and pass as the spine adapts to its newly aligned position. You might also notice that your pain level decreases after a few visits to the chiropractor, as the muscles, ligaments and other soft tissue begin to heal. If you experience this retracing, it’s a good sign because it means your body is responding to the treatment and moving from discomfort to toxic relief.
Some researchers have even found that chiropractic adjustments boost the immune system. This is because spinal misalignments can interrupt the nervous system’s ability to send important messages between the brain and other organs, including the immune system, to keep it healthy and fighting off germs. Regular chiropractic adjustments can restore proper function to the nerves, and boost your body’s natural defense mechanisms.
In addition, chiropractors can recommend nutritional supplements and dietary changes to help maintain optimal nervous and immune system health. These recommendations can prevent future misalignments and disease, and support your body’s ability to fight infections when they do occur.
The holistic nature of chiropractic care can also improve your quality of sleep. Studies have shown that when the body is in alignment, it’s more capable of relaxing and sleeping restfully at night. This can lower stress levels, which helps the body’s immune system to stay strong. The end result is a happier, healthier lifestyle without the need for drugs or invasive procedures.
Symptoms
During the adjustment, the chiropractor applies a controlled amount of force to move a joint back into proper position. This pressure is sometimes enough to cause a cracking or popping sound, which is normal and is nothing to worry about. Most chiropractic adjustments don’t hurt, though you may feel a slight soreness in the area your chiropractor treated. This soreness is similar to what you might feel after a workout and will go away within 24-48 hours. If the aches don’t go away, your chiropractor may recommend other ways to ease the discomfort, like exercise, ice/heat therapy or topical analgesics.
In some cases, a person might experience flu-like symptoms after their chiropractic adjustment, including fatigue, headaches or runny nose. This is called toxic release and occurs when the body’s natural systems are disrupted during chiropractic treatment. This is often a good thing as it means the toxins are being cleared out of the system.
Some people might also experience dizziness after a chiropractic adjustment. This is a normal part of the adjustment process and can be caused by a sudden change in the position of a joint, especially in the neck. This can be frustrating for some people, but it is a necessary part of the treatment and shouldn’t last long.
There are some people who may be at an increased risk of a stroke following a chiropractic adjustment. This is due to the fact that certain types of chiropractic adjustments, particularly those performed in the neck, can put a strain on the vertebral and carotid arteries that transport oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If one of these arteries tears, it can lead to a stroke.
This is rare, but if you are worried about this, be sure to let your chiropractor know about your concerns and they can help you manage the pain by adjusting your treatment plan. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water after each adjustment as this will help flush the toxins from your system. Drinking water will also help keep your muscles and joints hydrated, which can help reduce inflammation and speed up recovery.
Side Effects
Chiropractic adjustments are safe for most people, although some may experience mild discomfort after treatment. This is caused by the muscles, joints and bones adjusting to their new position. It should pass within 24-48 hours. If you experience severe pain or numbness, contact your chiropractor immediately. This may indicate a problem such as an artery dissection, which requires immediate medical attention.
Chiropractors are highly trained healthcare professionals who specialize in treating the spine, joints and nervous system. Their goal is to improve health by removing blockages in the flow of blood and oxygen. Unlike medications, which mask symptoms, chiropractic care works with the body to restore proper alignment and relieve pain naturally.
A chiropractic adjustment is a manipulation of the spine to correct misalignments. A chiropractor may use different methods to perform an adjustment. These include the Thompson technique, the Activator method, and the flexion-distraction technique. Each of these methods uses a specialized table to help reduce the amount of force applied during an adjustment.
The Activator method utilizes a spring-loaded instrument to apply consistent mechanical low-force impulses during an adjustment. This helps to prevent injury and reduce the amount of force needed to perform an adjustment. The Thompson technique involves a specialized table with drop pieces that can be used to adjust the spine and other parts of the body. This allows the chiropractor to adjust the spine using a variety of angles, which can be very effective in treating certain conditions.
Chiropractic adjustment risk is incredibly low. The results are also very positive. Studies have shown that adjusting the spine can reduce pain and improve overall health. This is because a properly aligned spine can reduce nerve interference and increase overall wellness.
People who suffer from chronic back pain, neck pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia and other health issues can benefit greatly from regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments help to restore the natural flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body, which can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Many health conditions, including high blood pressure and asthma, can also be treated with spinal adjustments.
Prevention
Unlike painkillers that only mask symptoms, chiropractic adjustments can help correct the underlying cause of pain. This approach can improve your quality of life and lower your need for pain medication or more invasive treatments, like surgery.
Back and neck pain are the most common reasons for people to seek chiropractic treatment, but adjustments can also address other issues that cause discomfort. For instance, digestive problems such as heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome can be caused by compressed nerves in the spine that prevent your stomach from functioning properly. Chiropractic treatment can help relieve these symptoms by aligning the spine and reducing how much the bones rub together.
Chiropractic adjustment techniques are adapted to each patient, and chiropractors have a variety of tools they can use to perform the spinal manipulation. Some of the most popular methods include diversified technique, which involves applying a high-velocity low-amplitude thrust to a joint to restore normal motion. Another method is the activator technique, which uses a spring-loaded tool to deliver low-force impulses that are similar to your body’s natural movements.
Another effective treatment is manual therapy, which involves the hands-on manipulation of muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and other soft tissues to relieve pain, reduce stiffness, and promote healing. A chiropractor can also provide exercises, stretches, and joint bracing to support your joints and muscles as they heal.
A chiropractor may also recommend dietary changes to minimize inflammation and improve your overall health. A regular spinal adjustment can also reduce your risk of developing a herniated disk in the spine, which is a common source of pain in the lower back and neck. This condition occurs when a disk in the spine ruptures and presses on nerves, causing pain. Spinal manipulation can reduce the pressure on your discs and speed up the healing process.
In addition to the musculoskeletal benefits of spinal manipulation, it can also boost athletic performance. This may be due to reduced pain and improved muscle mobility, which can improve movement and reduce strain on muscles and joints. A 2019 study found that athletes who received spinal adjustments experienced reduced hamstring pain and knee pain, and improved their running times.