10 Reasons to Visit a Chiropractor if Experiencing Personal Injury Pain

#1 Whiplash RecoveryWhiplash is one of the most common injuries suffered after an automobile accident, and it is often deemed to be “an invisible injury.” The problem with whiplash is that you may not feel the full effects for days or even weeks after the accident. If you elect to ignore the issue, it could be a major mistake, as victims of whiplash have reported feeling sore and stiff for months without relief.

With chiropractic care, it is possible to feel better in a much shorter space of time. Doctors will not be able to do much for you with regards to whiplash, because there is no immediate evidence of any injury to the bones in your neck on x-rays. This is because the main issue tends to be in the ligaments and muscles, and problems with these areas don’t show up on x-rays.

A chiropractor, though, will treat problems with your bones, joints, and muscles, because a professional knows the impact all of the above have on your nervous system. By focusing on the spine (though chiropractors will work on all of your joints), the chiropractor can make small but significant adjustments, and this helps your body heal naturally.

#2 Back ProblemsChiropractors are often derided as “back crackers,” but this doesn’t do justice to the work they actually do. Misgivings and skepticism about the practice seem to have died down, as can be evidenced by the 22 million Americans who visit chiropractors each year. Over one-third of these people seek help for back pain.

As well as using manual spinal manipulation, chiropractors use alternative treatments due to their belief that when the body’s musculoskeletal structure is properly aligned, the body can use its ability to heal. When a chiropractor is successful, the patient is able to avoid expensive and often pointless back surgery.

Chiropractic treatment is effective in the treatment of all kinds of back pain regardless of whether it is mild or severe. Through the process of maintaining proper spinal alignment, you can expect your back pain to at least become less prominent, and in many cases, your body should gradually heal. Chiropractic treatment is especially useful when it comes to acute low back pain.

#3 MigraineAlthough millions of Americans suffer from migraine headaches and their causes and effects have been widely studied by research doctors, the triggers for the headaches are still not fully understood. As things stand, you either try and prevent migraines from happening or try medication such as NSAIDs when the pain strikes. Most studies show use of medication is most effective before the migraine actually hits, but this is something of a lottery.

However, it would appear chiropractic treatment is effective for sufferers of migraine. A study from 2005 showed the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment on migraine pain, yet these results are seldom discussed. It is well worth taking a trial with a chiropractor to see what can happen. This form of treatment is effective at dealing with factors that could contribute to your headaches, and it can relieve the restriction of movement in your neck.

#4 Neck PainThis is another major issue among people, and poor posture is often the cause. Neck pain is also another injury frequently suffered after an accident. An increasing number of people spend the day in front of a computer at work and are slumped over a desk. The neck, or cervical spine as it is also called, starts at the base of your skull and has seven vertebrae. It supports your head’s full weight, which is around 12 pounds on average.

The cervical spine allows your head to move in almost every direction, but its flexibility is also a problem, as it can enhance the risk of injury. When you visit a chiropractor for your pain, you will be subject to a full physical exam where the expert will inspect the physical condition of the cervical spine along with its range of motion, and he will also observe your posture.

Armed with this information, it is then possible for the chiropractor to conduct some tests to ascertain the cause of the pain. In many cases, he will be able to treat it; on rare occasions, he may refer you to a specialist while still working on your problem.

#5 Knee PainThe knee is relatively tough, but it needs to be since it is subject to a lot of stress and strain, especially if you are involved in sporting activities. Injuries to the meniscus, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons can all cause severe knee pain while conditions such as arthritis and Iliotibial Band Syndrome can also lead to problems with your knee. As you can tell, there are myriad reasons why you could be experiencing pain with your knee, but instead of rushing to surgery, you may be better off consulting with a chiropractor first.

This is because the knee is not always the problem; it is a complex joint, and the pain you feel in the knee area may actually be caused by issues with your pelvis, foot, ankle, or lower back. When the joints in the lower limbs are not functioning correctly, they can place added stress on the knee, thus leading to an injury and severe level of pain. After being examined by a chiropractor, expect to be given a personalized treatment plan based on his findings. Most plans involve the reduction of inflammation, the normalization of joint function, and a rehabilitation program.

#6 Shoulder PainThe shoulder joint is actually the most mobile in the body and is surrounded by tendons, nerves, and other tissues that all have the potential to become irritated and painful. The rotator cuff is made up of four tendons: teres minor, subscapularis, infraspinatous, and supraspinatous; and it is one of the most frequently injured parts of the upper body.

The muscles, ligaments, and joints around the shoulder can tear and stretch, which can cause a considerable amount of pain. Physiotherapy and trips to a chiropractor can take care of most of your shoulder problems. Though the joint has a lot of connective tissue surrounding it, there is a distinct possibility of the shoulder moving out of alignment, which results in the muscles and ligaments no longer pulling together.

Fortunately, chiropractors specialize in alignment and perform manipulation that could significantly reduce the level of pain you feel in your shoulder. Additionally, you will be given a special treatment plan, and the chiropractor will examine your posture and may adjust work ergonomics accordingly.

#7 Hip PainOur hips are incredibly important because we need them to walk upright, bear weight, jump, and run. When something happens to your hips, you could have a big problem! Since your hips are involved in almost everything you do, pain in that area means you may not be able to walk without experiencing severe pains and aches. Though hip pain is often a symptom of an injury or osteoarthritis, it may be a sign of another health problem.

If you visit a chiropractor for your hip pain, he will begin with a thorough physical examination. Then you will receive a treatment plan, which may involve posture advice, exercise therapy, massages, stretching, and adjustments. You can expect these treatments to reduce inflammation, relax muscle spasms, improve the mobility of your hip joint, and strengthen the weakened muscles.

#8 TMJ ReliefIt will probably come as a surprise to you to learn that chiropractic treatment is very effective at dealing with the pain caused by TMJ disorders. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, and it can be extremely painful. Those who suffer from this problem experience pain when they chew, yawn, or use their jaw in any way. Sometimes the jaw can become locked, leaving the sufferer in the awkward position of having his mouth agape for an extended period of time.

Yet chiropractic treatment of TMJ is effective because it relieves the tension around the joints using trigger pain therapy. When pressure is applied to trigger points, the result is a significant degree of pain. Believe it or not, jaw misalignment could be caused by issues with your back, so a chiropractor will manipulate the joints in your upper back while also relieving the tight muscles. This should reduce the level of stress placed on your jaw and make other treatments more effective.

#9 Less Dependence on MedicationAs we mentioned in the introduction, we are becoming far too dependent on medication to deal with pain. Many of these painkillers are at best moderately effective, and in most instances, the effectiveness becomes reduced over time. Over-the-counter medication is not very strong, so you may get to the stage where you need prescription drugs.

If you regularly visit a chiropractor, you will automatically use medication less frequently, thus reducing your reliance on drugs, and you are also less likely to be stricken by side effects. Frequent usage of medication also potentially damages your gastrointestinal system, and you could even experience a “rebound” sensation where your symptoms actually get worse through the excessive use of medication.

#10 Improved Range of MotionWhen we are relatively young, it is easy to take our flexibility completely for granted. However, the aging process has a habit of grinding the body down, and soon we suffer from a restricted range of motion. In extreme cases, this limitation can severely affect our ability to perform the simplest daily chores, so you should see a chiropractor long before such an issue manifests itself.

Chiropractic treatment is proven to aid you in the quest to improve your range of motion. According to a 2001 study performed at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, chiropractic adjustments can increase the range of motion in your body. The study involved 105 volunteers, and there were a trio of phases in which the individuals were given fake adjustments, no adjustments, and true adjustments. In all three phases, the volunteers who received the true adjustments showed a major improvement in their range of motion, which was not the case for those who had either fake adjustments or no treatment at all.

If you suffer from a decrease in range of motion, you could end up in a situation where you begin developing painful conditions. If you don’t exercise regularly, your joints and muscles will stiffen, and this leads to a lack of mobility. When you visit a chiropractor, you will be given a certain list of exercises tailored to your specific mobility needs. After regular treatment, you can expect your back and joint pain to be eliminated.