Chiropractic treatment involves spinal manipulation
Generally, chiropractic therapy is safe. However, not every chiropractor has the same background, training, or uses the same techniques. You may not feel comfortable having your back "cracked" or being upside down on an inversion table. You need to shop around and do research to find the best chiropractor for your specific needs.
Therapy
According to the Mayo Clinic, studies show chiropractic therapy is as safe as treatments like pain medication or back exercises. Limited spine range of motion, vertebral restriction, and stiffness all cause pain. Chiropractic adjustments can increase mobility, improve function, and provide a better quality of life according to Dr. Daugherty, a chiropractor, in Colorado Springs.
Training
In most states, to be a chiropractor you must have a four-year college degree and another four years of professional training. In order to find an excellent chiropractor, you may check out which schools are recognized by the American Chiropractic Association. Then seek out chiropractor who attended one of them.
Technique
Many chiropractors use their hands to manipulate the spine. Manual adjustments can be high velocity techniques (cracking the spine) according to Dr. Daugherty. But there are also less forceful or invasive methods like the Activator Technique. This method, developed in the 1960s, uses a special instrument to make very specific adjustments.
Considerations
Meet or talk with several chiropractors and pick one that you feel has the training, personality, techniques, and style that you like. Ask for client testimonials or for the names of clients you can talk to before starting treatment. Also ask if your condition usually responds well to chiropractic therapy.
Expected Results and Complications
After an adjustment, a certain degree of soreness or dull ache is normal, according to spine-health.com. Know that certain conditions (rheumatoid arthritis for example) may take longer to respond to chiropractic treatment. In rare cases, neck manipulation can be associated with Vertebrobasilar Artery Stroke (VBA).
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