Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who specialize in treating and preventing musculoskeletal disorders, especially in the spine.
Since the late 1800s, chiropractic treatment has been battling with scientific medicinal practices for its legitimacy. However, with the growing interest in chiropractics, scientists and doctors believe that chiropractic adjustments have varied benefits.
But are they really as efficient as osteopathic medicines? Or are chiropractors just losing their touch?
Now more than ever, chiropractors have shifted from being deviant medical professionals to mainstream medicinal practitioners. Today, chiropractors are the third largest group of healthcare professionals, after dentists and physicians, who use conventional methods of treatment.
Here are a few reasons why chiropractors are relevant even today.
Benefits Of Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment centers on the belief that with certain manual manipulations of the bone structure, your body can heal on its own. These structural manipulations can have several long-term benefits, including:
1. Back Pain Treatment
There can be many reasons for back pain, especially with the current market of highly sedentary jobs. Chiropractic treatment may be a cost-effective alternative to more invasive surgical procedures or expensive injections to treat back pain.
Hence, you may opt for non-medication therapies, especially chiropractic treatments for treating lower back pain. Some of these include:
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Spine manipulation
- Acupuncture
- Exercise
- Yoga and tai chi
2. Decreased Neck Pain
Bending your neck to use your phone for hours or having poor posture can cause severe neck pain. But chiropractors can help improve neck pains by easing muscle tension or re-aligning your spinal cord.
Often, chiropractic treatments are better than ingesting high-power painkillers for your health. In fact, the manipulation of the cervical spine and shoulder can provide long-term relief by helping balance the production of neurotransmitters in the blood.
3. Prevents Dependency On Opioids
The most common way of reducing body pain is through opioid pain relievers. However, frequent ingestion of these medicines can create dependency and possible addiction. Chiropractic treatments can prevent this by resolving the pain from its source, that is, the underlying problems in your bone structure.
4. Reduces Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Degeneration of bone cartilage can increase friction between bone joints, which can further cause pain. This frequent rubbing of bone joints causes arthritis. However, chiropractic realignment of these bones can lessen friction and improve cartilage health.
Final Thoughts
Although osteopathic medicines and pain relievers can temporarily reduce discomfort, they are not a lucrative option in the long run. Going for chiropractic treatment can address the issue at its core while easing symptoms like chronic headaches and bad posture.
And since chiropractic treatment can be more affordable than surgeries or complex medical procedures, chiropractors are still popular today. It is advisable, therefore, to contact your local chiropractor if you’re facing chronic pain and arthritic symptoms.