|
A chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in treating neuro-musculo-skeletal (nerve-muscle-joint) problems, and educating patients in 'wellness'. Chiropractors are primary care providers like MDs and dentists, which means you don't have to be referred by your family doctor to see us, you can just call to book an appointment yourself.
A chiropractor does some things that medical doctors, physiotherapists and massage therapists also do, but chiropractors also check the function of the joints in your spine, and other joints, and correct abnormal movement of those joints found to be not moving properly (ie. dysfunctional), and this is not done by any other health profession. At Alberta Back and Neck Rehab or focus is on rehab of chronic and severe neck and back pain.
When a joint loses its ability to move normally (joint dysfunction), it often creates pain. There is usually muscle spasm and reflex nerve irritation as well. These painful conditions are often treated by MDs; with drugs; physiotherapists and massage therapists treat the muscular component; but without a chiropractor the underlying problem, the abnormal joint function, is rarely treated, and this is why the pain often does not get relieved, or returns after only temporary relief. Chiropractors know that it is important to stretch and strengthen muscles, do rehab exercises, get rid of trigger points and scar tissue, but we also know that doing these things without restoring joint function is often not getting to the root of the problem.
Medical research shows chiropractic adjustments (manipulations) alone relieve pain, increase range of motion, reduce muscle spasm, increase muscle strength and decrease nerve irritation. If you miss this part of your treatment you may miss a big part of your recovery.
Chiropractors also teach their patients about the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, and ergonomics as well as the role that good spinal health has on overall health.
At Comfort Health, we offer you a combination of treatments designed according to your needs to get you the best results in the shortest time.
Joint dysfunction (a.k.a. subluxation) is when the joints of the spine, or extremities (arms and legs), lose their ability to move freely. Sometimes we say these joints are stuck, fixated, stiff or out of place, just like a like a sheet of paper placed slightly crooked in a printer might get jammed, or stuck. These stiff or dysfunctional joints can create pain, and are always tender to touch and often surrounded by muscle spasm. The pain they cause can be local, or can spread to other areas. For example, a stiff joint in your low back can cause pain down your leg, and a dysfunctional joint in your neck can cause headaches around your eye. A joint in your upper back which gets stuck can cause pain similar to heartburn. If joints are allowed to remain dysfunctional for a length of time the cartilage will start to break down - this is degeneration, or arthritis.
Once the chiropractor has found the subluxated, fixated or stiff joints, an adjustment, or manipulation, is performed on that joint to restore normal motion, thus relieving pain. An adjustment is a quick, but shallow and gentle thrust on a stiff joint, which restores motion to that joint. The adjustment makes a popping noise as nitrogen gas in the joint fluid (like oil) forms a bubble, this process is called cavitation. This is similar to the popping noise of opening a can of pop, or a bottle of champagne.
To correct a subluxated or stuck joint it usually takes a number of adjustments, depending on how long it's been like that, how much soft tissue damage/spasm is present, how strong/weak your supporting muscles are, and what you do during a normal day (ie. bad posture, stress, etc.). We often use the analogy of a rusty hinge that has to be moved back and forth repeatedly to loosen it up. The number of treatments required can often be reduced by performing proper stretches, strengthening exercise, massage or ART?.
Adjustments do not often hurt. Many people report a feeling of immediate relief. Sometimes the first two or three adjustments are slightly painful for a few seconds. This is thought to be because of tearing of small pieces of scar tissue (adhesions) that have glued the joint together, but most people agree afterwards it is more the fear of not knowing what to expect rather than actual pain.
11% of patients report increased soreness in the first few days of treatment. This has generally been thought to be a reaction to tearing of adhesions (scar tissue) which was preventing normal motion of that joint, or part of the healing process. However, some studies show a similar number of people complain of increased symptoms following placebo treatments and therefore the increased pain felt by some may just be a normal fluctuation in pain intensity unrelated to treatment.
Most people know chiropractors for their miraculous treatments of back and neck pain, and indeed this is where most of the research on the effectiveness of chiropractic is. Relief of back and neck pain, and headaches with chiropractic adjustments (spinal manipulation) has been researched extensively and has been found to be more effective, or at least as effective, for relief of pain; much safer than over-the-counter or prescription medication; more cost effective; gets people back to work sooner; and has a higher patient satisfaction than conventional treatment (medicine/physiotherapy). However, chiropractors are also very skilled in the treatment of other muscle and joint injuries like shoulder, wrist and hand, hip, knee and foot problems. Some of our chiropractors are also trained extensively in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, like tendonitis and repetitive strain injuries. Treatment and prevention of sports injuries and nutritional consulting are also areas chiropractors excel in. If we can't help you, we'll send you to someone who can. Chiropractic first (including exercise, nutrition, and other non-invasive treatments), drugs second, surgery last.
Links to Articles:
Synopsis of Recent Studies
Some of the more common problems people see a chiropractor for are listed below. Remember, only a chiropractor can tell if the problem you are having can be helped with chiropractic treatment. This information is not intended to replace diagnosis or treatment by a 'live' health care provider.
|
