What Does a Chiropractor Treat? Eight Common Issues

Chiropractors treat over 35 million Americans every year. In fact, chiropractors throughout the US perform over one million adjustments each day.

Chiropractic techniques are 40% more effective than medical care for treating lower back pain, too. Back pain is only one reason to visit a chiropractor, though.

What does a chiropractor treat, exactly, and when should you schedule an appointment? Read on to learn more today!

1. Lower Back Pain

What does a chiropractor treat most often?

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems people experience. In fact, about eight in 10 people experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Spondylosis (degeneration that occurs due to wear and tear as you age) is a common cause of lower back pain. You could also develop low back pain due to:

Sciatica
Injury
Herniated discs
Strain

Your chiropractor might recommend spinal manipulation or physical therapy exercises. They might also help you determine what’s causing your lower back pain. For example, perhaps poor posture is putting tension on your back.

They might recommend that you make changes to your work environment. Using ergonomic furniture can help ease the tension on your back. You could avoid chronic back pain in the future as a result.

A bulged, slipped, ruptured, or herniated disc can occur in the lower back or neck. This issue develops when a fragment of a disc nucleus passes through a tear.

This results in a pinching nerve, which can contribute to your lower back pain.

Your chiropractor can use spinal manipulation and therapeutic exercises to treat your herniated disc. You should experience relief with routine sessions. Chiropractic adjustments can improve your recovery time, too.

2. Neck Pain

As you review this list of conditions that can be treated with chiropractic care, consider your daily routine. Do you often find yourself slouching in front of a computer screen? Perhaps you lean forward in your seat throughout the day.

These daily habits could cause you to develop neck pain.

Your chiropractor might recommend neck manipulations (manual adjustments) to ease your pain. Regular adjustments and exercises could prove more effective than pain medications.

Pain medication will only ease your symptoms. It won’t treat the underlying reason for your neck pain.

A doctor might refer you to a chiropractor if you’re struggling with neck pain for an extended period of time.

You can visit the team at oceanchiropractic.com to schedule a consultation.

Tension in your neck might impact your range of motion. For example, you might struggle to turn your neck when checking your blindspot.

Neck pain might also cause you to experience headaches.

Adjustments, exercise, and physical therapy can help. An adjustment can improve blood flow to the neck and shoulders. Blood flow can help your neck heal properly.

An adjustment will realign the vertebrae in your neck and shoulders. Improving the vertebra’s function can help relieve muscle spasms, too.

3. Headaches

Tension in your neck might cause you to experience headaches as well.

Tension headaches could cause pain in the back of your neck and head. Your chiropractor can help relieve the tension by adjusting your neck.

They can give you a few stretching exercises you can complete at home, too.

Reducing your stress levels might help ease your tension headaches as well. Remember, lifestyle and environmental changes can help reduce the risk of future symptoms. Your chiropractor might recommend improving your posture and body mechanics.

Let your chiropractor know if you have a pressure headache or migraine.

Visiting a chiropractor could help decrease migraine frequency and pain. It could reduce your need for migraine medications, too.

Speaking with a chiropractor might help you determine the underlying cause of your migraines. For example, certain foods could trigger a migraine. Advice from your chiropractor can help you make informed changes to your diet.

4. Whiplash

What does a chiropractor treat for car crash victims?

If your vehicle was rear-ended, your neck likely snapped forward, then back. You could develop whiplash. Whiplash is a type of neck sprain you can develop after an accident.

You might notice stiffness and pain in your neck. Your pain might flare up when you try turning your head, too. In some cases, whiplash can also cause you to feel sick to your stomach or dizzy.

Chiropractic adjustments can help ease the pain while promoting blood flow to the damaged area.

You can also use heat or ice therapy to reduce swelling and muscle spasms.

5. Sacroiliac Pain

The sacroiliac joint is located at the base of your spine. Sacroiliac joint problems could cause low back pain symptoms. You might feel pain in the back of your thigh or buttock.

A chiropractic adjustment can help ease your sacroiliac pain. You can also learn stretches to avoid straining the joint in the future.

Talk to your chiropractor about exercises you can use to strengthen your core, too. Your core muscles support the sacroiliac joint.

6. Shoulder Pain

If you have a stiff shoulder or experience chronic pain, talk to your chiropractor. Conditions that can be treated with chiropractic adjustments include frozen shoulders.

Chiropractic care could help improve your pain symptoms and range of motion. Adjustments can help stretch the muscles surrounding your shoulder.

7. Knee Pain

Knee osteoarthritis can cause wear and tear around the knee joint. If you’re struggling with knee pain, visit your local chiropractor.

Knee adjustments along with physical therapy and knee exercises could help ease your symptoms. Within a few weeks, you might notice less pain and improved range of motion.

8. Plantar Fasciitis

A bone spur can cause muscle tightness and irritation at the bottom of your foot. If you notice irritation or inflammation when walking, talk to your chiropractor.

They can use soft tissue therapy to ease your pain, swelling, or numbness.