Chiropractor Frisco TX uses spinal manipulations to realign the spine, easing pain in muscles and joints. They also advise patients on diet and exercise.
A recent study of stakeholder perceptions found that stakeholders want chiropractors to practice in a safe and evidence-based manner, have interprofessional skills that support patient emotional journeys during care and rehabilitation, and demonstrate intrapersonal qualities such as compassion.
A spinal adjustment is a hands-on holistic procedure performed by chiropractors to correct any misalignments of the spine. It helps to relieve back pain, neck pain and headaches by repositioning joints and vertebrae. It is also known to promote overall well-being and improve blood flow throughout the body. Many people who seek chiropractic services have symptoms that indicate they need an adjustment, such as a sedentary lifestyle, unexplained back or neck pain or poor posture.
During the spinal adjustment, the chiropractor will manipulate the spine with quick thrusts using their hands or with an instrument to restore proper movement to the joints of the spine. This is done by changing the pressure within the joint to reduce nerve irritation and inflammation, which helps alleviate pain. Often, a popping sound is heard during the spinal manipulation. This is caused by the release of nitrogen gases from the joint tissue.
When a spinal adjustment is being done, the patient will lie face down or on a table and the chiropractor will place their hands on the area of the spine that needs attention. The chiropractor will then deliver a rapid thrust to the specific joint in the spine and return it to its correct position. They may use one of several different techniques for the spinal adjustment, such as Gonstead, Activator, Thompson or chiropractic biophysics.
In addition to spinal adjustments, chiropractors can perform manual joint manipulation on other areas of the body, such as a shoulder, knee or elbow. It is important to note that a spinal adjustment will not only help to treat the symptom but will also address the underlying cause of the symptom.
A chiropractor can also advise patients on essential life changes such as diet, exercise and sleep habits that will promote better health and quality of life. This will include helping a patient to manage stress through the use of relaxation techniques. It has been shown that a good night’s sleep is a key indicator of a healthy nervous system. In turn, this helps the immune and musculoskeletal systems work more effectively to protect against infection and disease.
Musculoskeletal alignment refers to the structure and movement of the muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments of your body. These can become misaligned for a variety of reasons, including injuries and repetitive motions like typing or sitting at a desk for long periods of time. A chiropractor can correct these problems by using techniques that involve manipulating the muscles and bones of your body to help them align correctly. They may also use massage therapy to reduce muscle tension and improve movement and flexibility.
When the musculoskeletal system is not functioning properly, it can cause pain in many different areas of your body. It can also affect your overall well-being. For example, if your musculoskeletal system isn’t working properly, you might experience headaches, migraines, fatigue, and/or numbness and tingling in your arms, legs, hands, back, neck, or shoulders.
Many clients come to massage therapists seeking relief from pain in their low-backs, necks, hips, or headaches. These clients often want a practitioner who can offer them lasting relief. As a result, many massage therapists seek continuing education to learn how to treat musculoskeletal pain with Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques. This is a manual therapy modality developed by Erik Dalton, founder of Freedom From Pain Institute. The MAT therapist’s goal is to bring “good news” to the nervous system by helping to identify and correct dysfunctional, neurologically-driven strain patterns that lead to painful movement patterns.
During the MAT process, a practitioner can feel for changes in muscle tone, tightness, or warmth of different parts of the body that indicate an area is out of alignment. They can then manipulate that specific area to realign it. They can also use their hands to check for spinal subluxations, or misalignments of the spine. This is a very important part of the process, and it requires a highly trained professional.
The MAT therapist’s final goal is to teach the client how to maintain their proper posture and movement through gentle stretches and movements. This teaches them how to balance their muscle groups so that the ones that are overworking can relax, and the ones that are under-working can strengthen. This helps the spine remain aligned and resistant to future shifting of the spine, which is often the source of pain for a number of people.
In addition to spinal adjustments, a chiropractor can also provide nutritional guidance. Proper nutrition fuels the body with vitamins and minerals, allowing it to heal faster after an injury. A chiropractor can help a patient maintain a healthy diet and reduce unhealthy eating habits. The food you eat plays a significant role in your overall health and can affect your mood, energy levels, and digestive system. Chiropractors often recommend a balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables, and protein. They may also suggest certain supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, to improve the function of joints and muscles.
While most chiropractic patients have standard nutritional concerns, some have specialized needs. For example, athletes may require dietary advice to keep their bones and joints strong as they compete. A chiropractic sports specialist can advise patients on diets that will maximize performance and speed recovery.
Several studies have found that dietary interventions can significantly impact the risk of chronic disease. Those that focus on reducing inflammation can be especially beneficial. A diet that includes more vegetables, less fried foods, and fewer processed meats can significantly reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions.
This study sought to determine the prevalence and nature of nutritional counseling among Australian chiropractors and how they utilize this service. Participants were asked to rate the extent to which they included dietary management in their chiropractic practice and to describe the methods used to guide and educate patients regarding nutritional management. The use of a food diary was favoured for dietary assessment by many participants. This method, however, can be time-consuming.
The majority of chiropractors who participated in this study reported that they utilised some form of dietary counselling for their patients. This included providing general dietary advice and designing an eating plan for each individual patient that could be adjusted as their health goals change. Most chiropractors in this survey were familiar with the NHMRC’s Dietary Guidelines and Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.
The results of this study show that a large proportion of chiropractic practitioners use some form of nutritional counseling and the quality of this service needs to be further explored. A research agenda should be developed that includes establishing easy-to-use protocols for nutritional guidance and developing a nutrition competency framework for chiropractors.
Pain is a natural response to injury or illness. It can be acute or chronic. Acute pain usually lasts a month or less. It occurs when nerve cells in a specific part of the body send signals to the brain that something is wrong. Examples include a broken bone or surgery. Chronic pain often has a long-lasting impact and can be debilitating. It is a result of an untreated injury or condition, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and nerve damage (neuropathy).
There are many different ways to treat pain. Medications can help control it. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like celecoxib (Celebrex) and ibuprofen, or stronger pain relievers, such as diazepam (Valium), oxycodone and acetaminophen (Percocet, Roxicet, Tylox) or hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
Physical therapy, massage, acupuncture and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can also alleviate pain by reducing muscle spasms. They can also help reduce stress, which can contribute to back pain.
Other therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy and biofeedback, which can change how your body reacts to pain. Your provider may also recommend keeping a pain diary to help you manage your pain. Exercise can also reduce pain. Your chiropractor may prescribe a program of stretching exercises or aerobic activity to strengthen your muscles. Some types of exercise have been shown to specifically reduce lower back pain and fibromyalgia pain.
Your chiropractor can teach you how to improve your posture, a major contributor to chronic pain. This can be accomplished by correcting forward head translation, slouching and other positions that can cause misalignment of the spine. Some studies have shown that improving your posture can significantly reduce your neck, shoulder and back pain.
A chiropractor can also use spinal manipulation and massage to ease back pain. Manipulating your spine helps to realign your vertebrae, which can release tension in the muscles and reduce inflammation. Massage also can relax your muscles and relieve pain by releasing the knots that develop in your muscles.