8 Signs That You Need a Chiropractor

Few people consider seeing a chiropractor, but if you ask those who have been treated by one, most, if not all of them will say they should have seen one much earlier.

A chiropractor can help relieve people’s pain symptoms and stop it from worsening. Those already feeling pain can benefit from a chiropractor’s treatment, but even for those who do not feel pain, there are also some signs that they should see one as it could be indicative of some issues. Below, we’ve listed some of the top signs you should watch out for that may indicate you need to visit a chiropractor.

1. Frequent headaches

There are many causes of headaches: eye strain, stress, oxygen deprivation, dehydration, lighting, alcohol consumption, However, a misalignment of the neck or spine can also cause headaches. A chiropractor can work on adjusting your alignment to relieve your headaches, improve blood flow, and supply more oxygen to the brain.

Tension headaches are a common type of headache usually felt at the back of the head and neck. Both stress and bad posture can cause tension headaches. A chiropractor will likely adjust your neck and suggest some stretching exercises. They might also teach you proper posture and other healthy habits that can minimize or eliminate headaches due to stress.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation and multidisciplinary interventions, like massage, acupuncture, and electrical stimulation, have also been shown, in a study, to help decrease the intensity and frequency of migraines.

2. Chronic joint or muscle pain

Pain in muscles and joints could signal problems with musculoskeletal alignment. A chiropractor is trained to spot misalignments and will use spinal adjustments in order to relieve the pain. These adjustments will allow blood to flow more easily and improve nerve conductivity to the joints and muscles.Chiropractors have several ways of working out joint problems:

• High-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation therapy (HVLA SMT) – This is the most common adjustment. The chiropractor pushes a joint, usually in the spinal area, so it moves beyond its normal range of motion, using a few forceful thrusts.

1. Joint mobilization – Working the joint gently through its natural range of motion while looking for tight areas
2. Stretching and massage
3. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – a device that delivers a mild electrical pulse that stimulates nerves and muscles
4. Ultrasound waves to relieve joint pain
5. Heat or cold therapy
6. Low-level laser – a laser that does not generate heat but used to reduce swelling

3. Sitting for extended periods of time

Does your work require you to sit for hours on end hunched over a keyboard? There is a good chance that poor posture is putting more pressure on your shoulders, neck, and upper back. Several things happen when you sit for prolonged periods of time:

• Hip flexors shorten – Tight hip flexors cause low back pain
• Pelvis tilts forward – Sitting for hours stresses the spine and strains back muscles, forcing the pelvis to tilt forward.
• Hips become unbalanced – Sitting, especially with crossed legs, affects the lower body’s ability to stay balanced.
• Pain in the neck and shoulders – If you find yourself leaning forward towards the screen more, it is a sign that one’s abdomen and core are having difficulty supporting you, leading to the pain you feel in the shoulders and neck.

If this pressure continues, it could lead eventually to spinal problems like a slipped disc or herniated disc. A chiropractor can give you tips to make sure you always sit in a way that supports an aligned spine.

4. Chronic back pain

Many people who go to a chiropractor complain of chronic back pain. This can come from poor posture, the kind of work you do, or how long you have been on your feet all day. A chiropractor can bring relief to the pain through non-invasive body adjustments and without the need for pain relievers.

5. Limited range of motion

If your limbs do not have the same range of motion as before, this could be due to lack of exercise or constant sitting. Limited neck movement, frozen or stiff shoulders, or less flexible arms and legs are signs that a chiropractor may need to work realigning bones and joints, and increasing range of motion with regular treatment.

6. Sharp, shooting leg pains

Sharp, shooting pain in the legs, tingling, and weakness, could be a sign of a pinched nerve or even a slipped disc. A chiropractor is familiar with anatomy and can do a spinal adjustment to ease the pressure on the nerve causing pain.

7. Involved recently in an accident

Vehicular accidents may cause injuries, like back or neck pain, a possible sign of spinal or whiplash injury. Whiplash causes pain and stiffness in the neck. The pain can often worsen when you turn your head. It may even make you nauseous or feel sick in the tummy.

Only a trained chiropractor can do spinal manipulation that decreases inflammation and pain, restore range of motion, and reduce scar tissue. He may also suggest heat or cold therapy to reduce spasms and swelling.

8. Soles of shoes don’t wear out evenly

The soles of your shoes can alert you faster than you may think. Uneven wear on the soles is a clear indicator of subluxation, an altered position of the vertebra.

Your choice of shoes has an impact on the stability of your entire body frame. Most men’s shoes are usually quite stable, although narrow toe boxes, thin soles, and lack of arch support strain the joints and muscles of the legs, feet, back and hips. It is worse for ladies’ shoes with high heels that arch the back and tilt the hips to keep from falling forward. A chiropractic spinal manipulation realigns the spine although the condition will be a recurring one if one does not change shoe style.

Consider this also when buying shoes for your children. Their shoes can also tell you if they need to see a chiropractor.

One need not wait to feel pain before seeing a chiropractor. If one or more of these signs apply to you, it is best to see your local chiropractor like those at https://oaklandspinenj.com/ at the soonest time so that any issues can be addressed before they become more serious.