Is Chiropractic just for back pain?
Do Chiropractors do more than just cracking?
17/04/2023 by Jess Kenney DC MChiro
(Approx 1-2 minute read)
In short:
It’s not just backs.
It’s not just cracks.
It’s not just pain.
Do Chiropractors just treat backs?
While Chiropractors are known from being experts in back and spine complaints, many people do not realise that Chiropractors are trained in head to toe diagnosis and treatment. During your initial consultation, your Chiropractor will take a full history and assessment to accurately diagnose your concerns and formulate a plan to help ease your symptoms or improve mobility.
Common conditions:
Headaches:
Cervicogenic headaches, suboccipital neuralgia, cranio-facial pain, tension-type headaches, are all types of pain around the head that can be referred from the joints, muscles and nerves from the musculoskeletal system.
Migraines:
Migraines may have many types of triggers including food and hormones. Many migraines are triggered or aggravated by a change in pressure on the nerves or blood vessels in the neck.
Neck pain:
Neck pain often comes from the joints, muscles and nerves in the neck. These may become aggravated because of repetitive microtrauma just as sedentary postures, breathing tension or repetitive lifting, or from major trauma such as a fall or whiplash.
Shoulder concerns:
Common concerns include tendinitis, rotator cuff concerns, bursitis, acromio-clavicular joint concerns, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) or pain and tension in the joint.
Hip concerns:
Common hip concerns can be functional/mechanical or structural. Mechanical concerns include snapping hip syndrome, trochanteric bursitis, referral from the back nerves, poor hip mobility and muscular imbalance. Structural concerns may include labral tears, arthritis or impingement.
Back pain:
Back pain can be from the muscles, joints, nerves or discs in the spine. They may be the primary problem, or there may be a referred issue or compensation from somewhere else in the body however your Chiropractor will be able to assess the primary cause.
Sciatica:
Sciatica is an umbrella term that means pain from the sciatic nerve and this can look different for lots of people. This can be electric pain, dull pain, shooting or constant and it can be aggravated by the vertebra, the discs, the muscles or the pelvis.
Knee pain:
Knee pain can be coming from the knee itself such a meniscus tears or ligament damage. More commonly, it is due to an imbalance in the mechanics of the leg, and is often due to issues in the ankle, foot or hip.
Mechanical foot pain:
Foot pain associated with flat feet, or issues with plantar fasciitis can addressed through looking at the mechanics of the feet.
Do Chiropractors just crack your back?
Chiropractors are well known for cracking backs, however they are trained in many techniques. This can include mobilisation techniques using very light pressure, soft tissue release and exercise prescription. Many Chiropractors further their education by specialising in other add-on techniques.
At Function Chiropractic, your Chiropractor Dr Jessica Kenney can also deliver dry needling (medical acupuncture), sports taping, muscle release techniques, visceral-specific soft tissue release and cranial release.
Do Chiropractors just help with pain?
Chiropractors can help with so much more than just pain. They can assist through the entire journey, from pain and inflammation to strength and optimisation and many people choose to continue their care after the pain has been managed.
The stages of recovery:
Pain and inflammation:
The initial stage after injury, however this can be more complicated when working with chronic conditions.
Underlying dysfunction:
The human body is smart and most of the time has been dealing with some compensations or underlying dysfunction from our daily habits for a long time. Changing these patterns and habits takes time, self awareness and commitment.
Remodelling and strengthening:
The tissues are repairing, and your body is finding a new way of moving.
Optimisation and maintenance:
Maintaining peak mobility and function when moving through life.
Patients come for pain, restriction, mobility and for optimising how their body feels. How far you choose to take your care depends on your goals, your motivation and your preferences.
Remember:
Bodies are strong and smart. Things dont pop out or pop in, and patterns take years to develop.
