What is Chiropractic?
From Bloomsburg Family Chiropractic, PLLC
Chiropractic is a conservative health care method to diagnose and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Conditions we treat include the following:
- Low back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Disc Herniations
- Shoulder Pain
- Hip and Knee pain
- Foot and Ankle pain
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Wrist pain
- Carpal Tunnel
- Back pain during pregnancy
- Arthritis
- Auto Accident Injuries
- Whiplash
- Sciatica
- TMJ pain
- Sports injuries
- Fibromyalgia
Using a hands-on approach, multiple techniques are employed to increase joint mobility, decrease muscle tension, and reduce pain. These techniques include manipulation, muscle work, stretching, or lifestyle recommendations.
Chiropractic manipulation or “adjustments” help to increase mobility of a spinal segment or extremity joint that is restricted in its motion. This is also known as being hypomobile. Adjustments are performed by moving a joint to the end of its motion, and applying a quick, controlled force, either manually or with an instrument. This quick motion gaps the joint, which reduces the pressure within the joint capsule, causing carbon dioxide within the joint to be released. The release of gas is the audible “pop” or “crack” frequently felt in association with the adjustment. Manipulation is safe for all ages, and is very effective.
Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique to reduce muscle spasm. The chiropractor applies sustained pressure to the muscle or tendon, which causes the muscle to relax or lengthen. A variety of stretching techniques can help to reduce muscle spasm as well, including static stretching (traditional standing or sitting in one place with tension on a particular muscle) or post-isometric release (PIR) stretching. For PIR, a healthcare provider passively stretches a patient’s muscle, then the patient contracts the muscle against resistance for approximately 10 seconds. When the patient stops contracting the muscle, the healthcare provider is able to passively stretch that muscle even further than before, since the antagonist muscle (opposite) has relaxed.
In addition to the in-office treatments, chiropractors may recommend nutritional supplements to patients or lifestyle changes that will prevent musculoskeletal disorders in the future. Supplements are recommended on an individual basis, but for example, a patient who experiences frequent fatigue may be instructed to take iron or B vitamin complex depending on the cause of the fatigue. Lifestyle changes are also patient-dependent, but typically are based around activities of daily living that are perpetuating poor posture or poor spine health. An example of this would be lifting from a flexed position, rather than lifting with a neutral spine or “straight back.” Another example of a lifestyle change might be moving the height of the monitor for a person who sits at a computer daily for their occupation. Ideally, you want your computer screen to fall just below eye level, so that your neck does not need to be extended to look up at the screen, or flexed to look down significantly.
Overall, the goal of chiropractic is to find the cause of your pain/discomfort and reduce it or eliminate it so that you can function optimally. All treatments work together, and cumulatively aim to have this effect.
For more information on chiropractic, contact either Bloomsburg Family Chiropractic or Hoch Chiropractic Center.