The conditions that chiropractic treat may be looked at in two different views. The first view tells us that chiropractic treats disorders of the spine that result to musculoskeletal or nerve issues, including pain. The second view holds that chiropractic does not treat or heal specific diseases but only paves the way for the body to use its self-healing capability after freeing it of subluxations and relieving nerve pressure.
Common Condtions Chiropractic Treat
Among the the many spine-related problems chiropractic care may evaluate and treat are:
- Back sprains or strains – Approximately 75% of adults experience these conditions. Sprains are caused by overstretched or torn ligaments while sprains involve muscles or tendons. Common causes of either one of these problems include lifting too much weight, playing a strenuous sport or activity or bending or twisting improperly. They can cause all types of pain – sharp, dull, aching, stabbing, burning, or tingling.
- Cervicogenic headaches – They are caused by referred pain from the neck. The pain is typically felt in the temples, behind the eyes or at the back part of the head.
- Coccydynia – It is pain that is felt in the tailbone in the spine. It may develop through riding a bike for long periods of time or falling down, and can worsen when sitting. Sometimes though, coccydynia begins without a known cause.
- Degenerative disc disease – It is associated with aging. From years of overuse, misuse or strain, the intervertebral discs can break down or degenerate. It can lose elasticity, flexibility and shock absorption. They also tend to become thinner from dehydration.
- Herniated disc – It is sometimes called slipped disc. Herniation occurs when the outer ring of the vertebral disc breaks or is damaged causing the interior matter to flow out. They may press on a nerve root that causes pain.
- Myofascial pain – It is a chronic disorder involving referred pain, which is caused by pressure, from trigger points or sensitive points in the muscles to another seemingly unrelated part of the body.
- Piriformis syndrome – This occurs when the sciatic nerve gets compressed or irritated by the piriformis muscle, a narrow muscle in the buttocks. The symptoms are described as sciatica and they include pain or tingling or numbness sensations that pass down through the buttocks into one of the legs or both legs.
- Leg length discrepancy or short leg – Also called limb leg discrepancy, it is caused by a structural problem, as in a birth defect, or postural problems, like pelvic tilt.
- Spinal osteoarthritis or spondylosis – This is a type of arthritis typically associated with aging. It may affect the facet joints in the spine or other bones.
- Whiplash – It is a hyperflexion-and-hyperextension injury of the neck, which usually occurs when a vehicle is rear-ended. The condition may result to severe sprain or strain in the neck.
Other Conditions Chiropractic Treat
When chiropractors are able to detect and remove spinal misalignments or subluxations, proper brain and body communication is facilitated and nervous system function is restored. As a result, improvements in many conditions outside of the musculoskeletal area can be experienced by the patients. This is made possible by the self-healing ability that the body is able to exercise once again. Some of the common non-musculoskeletal related conditions chiropractic has successfully helped treat are: asthma, allergies, , Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), chronic sinus issues, colic, constipation, ear infections, learning disorder, gastrointestinal dysfunction, menopausal symptoms, menstrual dysfunctions, poor immune system , and stress among many other conditions.
With chiropractic care, the medical diagnosis does not matter. The chiropractor’s goal is to help improve the overall health and well being regardless of the conditions of the patients. This is what sets chiropractic care apart from other therapies. It is also what makes the chiropractic profession distinct and noble.