Two reasons to visit a chiropractor
A general chiropractor is trained to treat issues that affect a person's neuromusculoskeletal system; this system includes tendons, nerves, ligaments, muscles and the spine. Here are two common reasons why people choose to visit this type of healthcare professional.
To alleviate back pain
The spinal manipulations, massage and stretching techniques that chiropractors employ during a typical session can offer both immediate and long-term relief from back pain.
For example, if your pain is being caused by a bulging disc which is pressing down on your sciatic nerve, the chiropractor might be able to relieve your pain by using a technique called 'flexion distraction'.
This involves gently stretching out the spine and using their hands to push the bulging centre of the affected disc back into its correct place. This, in turn, will ease the pressure that is being placed on the sciatic nerve.
Similarly, if you are pregnant and are experiencing lower back pain because of the strain the additional weight on your abdominal area is placing on your pelvis, spine and ligaments, your chiropractor should be able to help you by using the 'Webster Technique'. This involves using adjustments to rebalance the pelvis, so as to ease the pressure being placed on the spine and surrounding ligaments.
To eliminate the problems associated with poor posture
Poor posture doesn't just look unattractive; it can also lead to several health problems. Constantly slumping forward whilst you sit at your desk or sleeping in an awkward position can put additional stress on both the back and the neck; this stress can lead to chronic tension in the muscles in these areas. Muscular tension of this kind can cause a whole host of issues, including numbness and tingling in the arms, migraines and lower back pain.
As such, if you do have poor posture, it's important to try to correct it as quickly as possible. If your posture has been terrible for many years, you may not be able to fix this issue simply by making an effort to sit and stand up straight, as your muscles will have been trained to push your shoulders and head forward.
In this situation, it could be enormously helpful to seek treatment from a chiropractor. They can use stretching and massage to relax the affected muscles and use spinal adjustment techniques to bring your spine back into alignment. They may also offer you advice on how to prevent your posture from deteriorating again in the future.
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