Chiropractic is not just about the sound of cracking bones that is made during a typical treatment. The bone-cracking is just one of the ways to relieve pain and improve the functions of certain parts of the body by correcting their alignment. Most people take advantage of the fact on how effective a chiropractic treatment is in terms of alleviating sudden pains inside the body quicker than having to let it just be until it goes away. This is because they believe that chiropractic is only for those who are experiencing problems in relation to their spine. In actual fact, this type of treatment may help relieve pain from issues affecting the bones, cartilage, connective tissues, joints, and muscles.
The discomfort of the mentioned conditions above may be a result of excessive stress, or even a spinal misalignment. But you do not need to worry about this worsening if you will go through a chiropractic treatment because it has the ability to put these joints, muscles, and spines in their proper alignment. In cases where the pain has been caused by stress from misalignment, the realignment of the spine will be bringing immediate pain relief. By then the body will be able to heal itself over a period of time.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractors generally use hands-on manipulations in relieving the soreness inside the body. Upon your initial checkup with them, they will be devising a treatment plan for you, exerting just the exact pressure you will need for pain relief. And for rehabilitating injuries, they will most likely put a bigger emphasis with stretches and exercises. But while the most common chiropractic treatment available before would only be spinal manipulations, chiropractic care now includes a wide array of other treatments. This includes the method of spinal mobilizations. It can be used as an option to alleviate the pain. It is done by performing a gentler and softer application of pressure, apart from the bone-cracking that spinal manipulations give out. To learn more about the different chiropractic treatments available, keep on reading.
Spinal Manipulation
The most commonly performed chiropractic treatment for pain relief would be with spinal manipulation. This is the method that is usually done by chiropractors. It involves the application of strong pressure to joints, bones, and muscles, twisting or rotating the joint beyond its normal range of motion which leads to a loud, sharp, bone-cracking noise. It may sound frightening for some. But the noise is just believed to be caused by the release of a bubble into the fluid that lubricates the spine and other joints. It will somehow make you feel good after a couple of sessions. It is also relatively safe.
There will be side effects you might feel that you should not worry about. These are just natural ones and will get back to normal after a few hours. These side effects are known to be temporary muscle stiffness or soreness, which you might experience right after a session.
The process is done by directly pushing on the vertebrae. It can also be twisting certain parts of the body indirectly, specifically the neck or the upper part. Chiropractors position the body so the force they will be exerting will be focused on one joint. While doing this, they are holding the other parts in a still manner. The whole spinal manipulation treatment can take for about 10 to 20 minutes. They can be regularly scheduled twice to thrice a week in the first few months. By then, improvements might occur after a few weeks.
Spinal Mobilization
For gentler thrusts and a softer manner of applying pressure on your body, spinal mobilization is an effective alternative. It uses more stretching than having to inject extreme pressure that causes the bones to release a cracking sound. Though this is the case, the purpose and the goal of this method is also similar to the spinal manipulation technique — to restore and improve the joint function, and to alleviate the pain of the symptoms.
Spinal mobilization is a manual therapy technique utilized to alleviate pressure on joints. It also has the ability to reduce the inflammation, and improve nerve function, while restoring pain-free, functional movements by achieving full range at the joint. It is a method that uses gentle thrusting motions and more stretching.
Mobilization involves slow joint movements within its normal range of motion. Results of this type of method can be similar to what spinal manipulation provides. However, it does not involve the same type of “back-cracking” and may be a better choice for some patients. This is done by injecting small amounts of pressure into the area where pain is felt. Then, the rate and amount of blood flow increases. And since spinal mobilization uses massage in breaking down scar tissue and restrictions associated with damage to soft tissues because of strained muscles or pulled ligaments, it helps initiate and promote the healing process of the tissues.
Other Types of Chiropractic Adjustments
Apart from spinal manipulation and mobilization treatments that help alleviate pain within the joints and muscles inside the body, there are other more specific types of chiropractic adjustments that you might not be aware of. Chiropractors utilize a lot more different techniques and treatments as a relief for various conditions. These treatments help the body to heal itself.
Gonstead Adjustment
Along with the two types of treatments mentioned above, this chiropractic treatment is one of the most commonly utilized adjustment methods used by chiropractors and physical therapists. The Gonstead Adjustment has been used in restoring normal disc alignments and maximum mobility in the joints. Actually, its focus is solely to address the problem areas as specifically as possible. It is usually administered while having the patient sitting up or lying on their side. Then, the chiropractor starts to manipulate the lower back or pelvis.
This method is designed for spine-related issues, ensuring quick recovery without any risks. Though this is the case, it can still be utilized to fix problems such as long-term back pains or nervous system intrusions, caused by vertebral subluxation. Moreover, it can also be used to restore or maintain optimal health.
Soft Tissue Therapy
This is a chiropractic adjustment method, a complex targeted clinical massage focusing mainly on the soft tissues of the body, including the muscles, ligaments, joints, tendons, and connective tissues. This technique is beneficial to someone who is involved in strenuous activities.
Chiropractors use a variety of hands-on soft tissue therapy techniques and tools for this method. It helps to improve the function of soft tissues, while releasing toxins to improve blood flow and circulation as well. With this treatment method, flexibility and mobility of muscles are improved. This helps in decreasing the risk of injury and in correcting muscular imbalance.
Thompson Technique Treatments
Also known as the drop technique, the Thompson technique treatment is a full-spine adjusting technique involving special treatment tables with drop methods providing low-amplitude, high-velocity, and low-force adjustments. The table then drops slightly upon the chiropractor’s way of applying thrusts during the adjustments. This specific measure promotes the clinical longevity of the doctor during the manipulation. It results in less forceful adjustments, stability and comfort.
After this adjustment has been performed, the patient will feel a warm sensation flowing to various parts inside the body. It is used to relieve pain, as well as reducing stress, restoring normal nerve function, increasing body function, and even helps in improving sleep.
Key Takeaway
The main purpose of a chiropractic treatment is to reduce the pain and discomfort you are feeling, while promoting the overall wellness through certain adjustments such as spinal manipulation, mobilization, and other types of techniques available. Chiropractic treatments are, however, not only limited to what has been mentioned above. There are many other treatments available that chiropractors are practicing. But all are ensuring that they will provide the same goal — immediate pain relief that patients deserve.
