Many people have misconceptions about what chiropractors actually do. Manual adjustments are usually what people imagine when they think of a chiropractor, but there is actually a lot more to chiropractic than just manual adjustments. Read on to learn about what chiropractors offer and what to expect.
What You Can Expect From A Chiropractor
Chiropractic is based on the theory that the body should be treated holistically and that properly aligning the body’s musculoskeletal structure will help a wide variety of injuries, pain, or conditions. It is usually sought out as an alternative to surgery or more traditional medical treatments of diseases and injuries. So what can you expect from a chiropractor? What exactly do they do?
Manual and Instrument Adjustments
The most traditional form of chiropractic utilizes manual spinal adjustments. While manual adjustments are certainly a big part of chiropractic, there are other methods of chiropractic that seek to achieve the same end goal as manual adjustments. The most related method is a spinal adjustment that is done with an instrument instead of manually. Not all chiropractors offer this service because the machines can be very expensive, but there are certain machines that can make chiropractic adjustments much more precise, and can be done very gently.
Physiotherapy Services
Many people think that physiotherapy is a completely separate field from chiropractic, but in fact, many chiropractors offer physiotherapy services. Physiotherapy is a broad term for a wide variety of therapy methods, including spinal decompressions, cold laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation, and more. Any combination of these methods might be used on a patient, depending on their particular situation.
Massage Therapy
Some chiropractors offer massage therapy as a part of their chiropractic practice. Massage therapy can work very well in conjunction with more traditional chiropractic methods, so if a chiropractor offers massage therapy, he or she will assess your overall situation to decide if you could benefit from it as part of your overall treatment plan.
Orthotics
Orthotics is an important part of chiropractic. Especially with postural problems, orthotics can very often be a major part of the solution. During an initial evaluation with your chiropractor, they will bring you through a series of orthopedic, neurological, and postural analyses from which they can determine the best treatment path, which may or may not include orthotics depending on your unique situation and needs.
Overall Wellness
One of the defining elements of chiropractic is its focus on and promotion of overall wellness through chiropractic treatments. A chiropractor will look at your symptoms, your lifestyle, and your body from a holistic viewpoint, and then your treatment will be geared toward your overall health and wellness. It isn’t just about treating an acute problem or an area of pain, even if that’s what got you into the chiropractor. Rather, it’s about treating your whole body and incorporating lifestyle changes as well as various therapeutic techniques to achieve overall wellness.
Finding a Chiropractor in the Plano Area
Finding a chiropractor that’s right for you can be difficult, but understanding what to expect and what you’re looking for is the first step. Do your research before meeting different chiropractors so that you can find the perfect match for your lifestyle and needs.