Chiropractic service involves treating issues with the joints, bones, and musculoskeletal tissues, especially in the back. This is done using a variety of methods, depending on the issue.
A chiropractor’s job is to assess the joints and determine any malalignments or tissue problems that could be the cause of a patient’s condition. Then they treat the patient, typically administering manual adjustments, specialised massages, stretches and exercises, or changes in lifestyle.
Sometimes issues in one part of the body can be due to an alignment problem elsewhere in the musculoskeletal system. The chiropractic service is designed to determine the source, and then resolve any structural problems in order to eradicate the negative effects elsewhere.
Common issues caused by impaired musculoskeletal structures and treated in chiropractic service include:
- Lower back pain
- Extremities problems
- Sciatica
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Frozen shoulder
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Hip, knee, and ankle pain
- TMJ pain
- Sports injuries
What Do Chiropractors Do?
So what does a session of chiropractic service look like? What do chiropractors actually do? Well, first of all, they will ask you questions about your issue or what brings you to the chiropractic service. Then they will conduct an examination of the spine or other joint systems, checking their positioning and testing reflexes and range of movement.
Once any alignment issues have been diagnosed the chiropractor will begin working on your joints manually with their hands or other implements, in order to gently restructure them. This chiropractic adjustment is not usually painful but may cause some discomfort, depending on the problem and procedure.
Chiropractic treatment involves no invasive surgeries or prescription medications. This more holistic, natural treatment for pains and posture can be what makes chiropractic appealing to some.
What’s the Difference Between Chiropractic Service, Physiotherapy, and Osteopathy?
All these schools of manual, physical therapy have some similarities and overlaps, so it’s not surprising for there to be some confusion about which is which. This can make it harder to know which therapy is best for you.
Chiropractic and osteopathy are most similar, in that they focus primarily on joints and the functionality of their structures. Physiotherapists may also work on such issues, but are more concerned with muscles and tissues than bones.
Physiotherapy
For example, a physiotherapist may attend to a purely muscular injury, or work with a patient to restore movement after an illness or injury. They may regularly coach patients through exercises to improve their health and mobility.
Physiotherapists encourage patients to take an active part in their recovery too, rather than relying on passive treatments. Chiropractors and osteopaths take a different approach, using more manual manipulations or ‘clicking’ in their work. They may massage and manoeuvre joints and muscles to reposition them, restoring functionality or easing pain.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors primarily focus on the spine, other related joints, and the nervous system, and how these affect overall health or vice versa. Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer, who discovered you could heal a range of ails through spinal manipulation, due to its important connection to all parts of the body.
Osteopathy
Osteopaths could be considered more holistic than chiropractors, in that they do not focus especially on the spine, but rather on the body’s overall interconnectivity. They aim to ensure all the bones, muscles, and joints are working smoothly together. An osteopath therefore may be more likely to help with arthritis, for example, than a chiropractor.
All of these therapies focus on how the body works as a whole and the interconnectivity of muscles, joints, and overall health. They do this without invasive surgeries or medical procedures.
How Chiropractors Help With These Common Pains:
Neck Pain
Chiropractors can help with neck pain using cervical manipulation, i.e. manually adjusting joints in the neck. As your neck bones are simply the topmost section of your spinal system, they may well carry out work on your lower spinal systems (your back) as well.
Gently correcting spinal misalignments improves the mobility and mechanics of the system, thereby alleviating inflammations, spasms, and pain. Pain is typically caused by pressure on the joints, and nerve systems, there as a result of imbalanced structures.
A number of things can cause neck pain, from injury to poor posture or sleeping positions. Likewise, there can be many different methods of treatment, be it stretches and exercises or changes in daily/nightly habits.
Back Pain
Backs, of course, are seen as the main focus of chiropractic by many. This isn’t necessarily false. Our spines are the most important bone system in our body, as they are the central foundation of our skeletal structure. Issues in the spine can cause issues all over the body, due to its central role in holding the frame together. So the back may be treated as the cause of anything from leg pain to headaches.
For back pain, the chiropractor will usually use manual manipulation, in an attempt to realign the vertebrae and restore ease of movement or reduce inflammations. However, depending on the cause of pain, there may be other methods, such as muscular tissue therapy (specialised massages of damaged tissues) or even acupuncture. Sciatica, where back pain also travels down into the leg, is a common type of back pain a chiropractor can help with.
Shoulder Pain
As with any pain, shoulder pain can be caused by a number of things and manifest in a number of ways, from dull aches and limited movement to sharp pains. The shoulder joint sees an awful lot of use and strain injuries can easily be caused. However, the root of the problem is commonly located elsewhere in the body, such as from neck or rib injury.
A chiropractor will be able to determine the cause of the shoulder pain if it is not an issue isolated only to the shoulder. They may then work on your posture, for example, if posture problems are determined to be the cause of your shoulder pain.
To relieve the pain or regain functionality, a chiropractor may guide you through specific exercises that you can then do regularly at home. Alternatively, they may administer strength training exercises to ease symptoms and rebuild stability.
Elbow Pain
Elbow pain commonly occurs from repetitive strain but may also occur from one incident that overexerts or injures the complex joint. Tennis and golfer’s elbow are two types of elbow pain you may be aware of, but can just as easily be caused by other repetitive or strenuous movements.
For these conditions, joint manipulation, massage therapy, specialised exercises, and ice therapy can all be viable treatments a chiropractor will employ in order to reduce pain and restore functionality. Other elbow injuries, such as impact injuries or bursitis, may require therapeutic ultrasound.
How Much Does A Chiropractor Cost?
Chiropractors cost around £50 – £100 per session, depending on the treatment. Initial consultations can be on the higher end of this range or more, although some chiropractors may give discount offers to new patients. Some chiropractors also accept many forms of insurance or offer flexible payment programs to make them more tenable.
What Determines The Cost?
There are a number of factors to consider that will determine the cost of chiropractic treatment, such as the type of treatment and experience/education of the chiropractor you choose.
The length of treatment sessions and amount of recurring sessions required will of course affect how much you pay. If your circumstances require regular and frequent sessions, you may want to find more affordable chiropractors or chiropractors that offer discounts for repeat service.
Find Out If Chiropractic Is Right For You
The best way to decide whether chiropractic is right for you is to discuss your issues with a professional chiropractor. Through a phone consultation or an initial assessment, they will be able to tell you if and how they can help. If they can’t they may refer you to your GP or another healthcare professional.
If you’re suffering from any of the issues outlined in this article, it is likely your local chiropractor can help you. At Forest Hall Chiropractic Clinic we have a range of professionals and treatments to cater for various problems. We are a cheerful team who are always happy to help.
Get in touch today to find out more about how our chiropractic services can help you to feel better again.