Chiropractic care is a type of therapy that places special emphasis on the spine’s structure. Chiropractic adjustments are applied to the body’s alignment to reduce pain, enhance function and promote self-healing.
While spinal manipulation is the foundation of chiropractic care, other therapies such as manual or manipulative therapies, posture and exercise training and ergonomic training may also be used.
What do you mean by chiropractic care or treatment?
To treat patients with pain, chiropractors nowadays frequently collaborate with primary care physicians, specialists in pain management and surgeons.
Chiropractic care can benefit those with various musculoskeletal ailments.
Chiropractic treatments often fall into one of four groups:
Manual chiropractic therapies: Adjustments, traction and spinal decompression are frequently used in manual treatments.
Instrument-Led Chiropractic Treatments: These include using the Activator and Graston tools.
Hot and cold pack chiropractic therapy: Heat/ice, ultrasound and electrical stimulation are all forms of chiropractic therapy.
Nutritional plans and regular exercise: Anti-inflammatory dietary advice and functional movement training are included in nutrition and exercise guidance.
Want to know more about what chiropractors do to help people feel better? Here are some details about chiropractic techniques that really work…
Chiropractic therapies
#1 Spinal repositioning or manipulation for treating pain
Spinal manipulation involves a rapid, controlled thrust. Uniquely, chiropractors have a strong emphasis on the spine and have a thorough understanding of how the nervous system interacts with the spine and how this can result in a variety of pain symptoms and diseases.
A chiropractor may designate a specific joint that needs to be concentrated on while using something known as the Gonstead Technique– they employ the same force and speed as a standard spinal adjustment, while using a particular positioning for this treatment. Or they might use the technique for the Thompson Terminal Point, making use of a specific table with a piece that “drops” as the chiropractor uses regulated force.
#2 Spinal mobilization
Many people confuse spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization, assuming them to be the same, but they are not.
If you compare spinal mobilizations to spinal adjustments, the chiropractor’s thrust is often a little softer in the former technique.
The aim of spinal manipulation remains the same: to restore and improve joint movement and support body realignment.
Spinal mobilization, however, mobilizes the joint with slower motions and not quick, controlled thrusts.
Due to the patient’s preference, a chiropractor may decide to use spinal mobilization.
There’s the Cox Flexion Distraction kind of therapeutic spinal mobilization that is relatively moderate. There’s also the Toggle Drop– when the chiropractor uses force, a specific area of the table drops to add movement.
#3 Spinal decompression treatment
Stretching and relaxing the lumbar spine is the aim of spinal decompression. The spine can bend and stretch while patients are lying on a traction table, which may or may not be motorized.
#4 Chiropractic traction
Whether or not traction is performed manually or with the aid of an instrument depends on the chiropractor’s judgment and the location of the pain symptoms.
The traction technique assists in stretching the back, spine and joints as a type of spinal decompression to improve movement and release stress.
There are three main approaches to the traction method. The chiropractor may manually stretch the spine using their hands and/or a pulley system. Or they could work on the patient’s limb joints as well as the lower spine by using a wedge to apply traction there. Then there’s the mechanical approach, which enables the use of mechanical pulleys to aid in spinal stretching as well as inversion tables, which use the patient’s weight and gravity to release pressure on the spine.
Summary:
It might be difficult to manage chronic discomfort. A chiropractor can provide relief though, using several methods and techniques such as spinal decompression or traction.
Contact New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center today to experience chiropractic techniques that really work to help you feel better. Call the Wesley Chapel office at 813-994-6111 to make an appointment.