What type of car owner are you? One that waits until the vehicle shows obvious signs it’s time to see a mechanic… Or one who books it in for regular servicing on time, every time, and proactively gets the slightest irregularity attended to as soon as it happens…
Your body is a lot like your car. When properly cared for, it purrs along like the well-oiled marvel of biomechanical engineering it’s designed to be! But if neglected it could, like an ignored car, break down and leave you stranded…
This is where regular chiropractic care can keep you humming along in tiptop physical shape. And feeling great without the worry of pesky aches and pains holding you back! It’s also a good way to stay in tune with your body.
So, what are some signs that it is time to see a chiropractor for a good proactive neuromusculoskeletal tune-up? Read on to find out…
Many people only consider booking in to see a chiropractor when discomfort, pain, or other issues disrupt their daily routine. Like that car owner who only checks in with a mechanic when their car threatens to leave them stranded on the motorway!
But – how do you know when it’s time to visit a chiropractor?
Persistent musculoskeletal pain that doesn’t go away on its own can be a sign that you need to see a chiropractor.
Chronic pain is your body’s way of signalling there is some type of underlying issue. It could be a dull ache in your lower back, sharp pain in your neck, or sore joints.
Chiropractic care can help identify the root cause of your pain and provide specific treatment to help. In fact, one article from the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic adjustments were more beneficial than placebo in reducing subacute back pain.
Do you slouch?
As a species, we’ve been dealing with postural problems ever since we became committed bipeds some 2 to 4 million years ago. Today, though, poor posture and especially slouching is a ‘tech neck epidemic’.
For example, more of us now spend hours hunched over computers in our increasingly deskbound jobs. We also sit and walk around looking down at our smartphones; according to Statista, over half the global population now owns one!
This all puts a lot of strain on our neck and shoulders, which can lead to health problems like headaches, neck pain, and back pain.
A chiropractor can assess your posture, help correct any misalignments in your spine, and make lifestyle suggestions to help improve your posture. And your health…
Headaches and migraines can be linked to issues in your neck and spine. If you find yourself frequently suffering from headaches, especially ones that start in your neck (cervicogenic), it might be time to see a chiropractor.
Chiropractic adjustments can relieve tension and pressure in your spine, which can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. One 2021 study found that although chiropractic spinal adjustments didn’t help with the intensity of headaches, they did significantly reduce headache frequency.
Chronic joint and muscle pain, especially after activity or exercise, can be related to spinal misalignments. In which case, you would benefit from seeing a chiropractor.
A chiropractor can treat these misalignments to relieve your pain and improve mobility and flexibility.
Adding chiropractic care to your regular healthcare routine could turn out to be a game-changer. Here are five key benefits to be gained by booking an appointment with a chiropractor!
Pain relief is a key reason most people seek out chiropractic care. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues, and the techniques they use can help ease pain in your back, neck, joints, and muscles.
Regular chiropractic adjustments can also improve mobility so you move more freely and comfortably. A group of researchers for example recruited active-duty US military personnel and compared the effect of chiropractic care alone or in conjunction with medical care for lower back pain.
They found that using both interventions resulted in reduced intensity of lower back pain.
Chiropractic care doesn’t just address physical pain but can also improve your overall wellbeing. Ultimately, by helping your spine and nervous system function correctly, chiropractic care can improve your body’s natural healing abilities, and help you function at your best.
Many patients report feeling more energetic, less stressed and better overall after receiving chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic is a holistic, drug free approach to health care and pain management.
Chiropractors use manual techniques, like spinal manipulation, to correct musculoskeletal dysfunction and improve motion and neurological function. This reduces the risk of side effects and complications, making it a safer option for many people.
Most of us, regardless of our level of physical activity, want to avoid injuries and stay injury-free.
Chiropractic adjustments can help us achieve this by improving joint mobility, increasing our range of motion, and reducing the risk of injury.
We’re all different when it comes to our particular healthcare concerns and issues, and chiropractors understand the importance of providing personalised care.
Therefore, when you visit a chiropractor, they will assess your specific requirements and develop a customised treatment plan for your condition.
This personalised approach ensures you receive the most effective care possible.
How often you should come and see us will depend on your specific care requirements and also your health goals. But, as a general guide:
If your pain is acute, you may need to see a chiropractor more frequently. This could be as often as twice a week for a fortnight to four weeks.
Maintenance chiropractic care could involve monthly or bi-monthly visits to track your progress and stay on top of lingering issues.
If you are particularly active, or at high risk of injury, you may want to visit a chiropractor once a month to prevent issues before they happen.
Poor posture, chronic pain, and some types of headaches can all be signs it might be time to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care will often successfully address these issues and also help prevent future injuries.
Just as preventative services and mechanical care can keep your car running smoothly, chiropractic care can offer a healthier, pain-free life.
