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5 Tірѕ For Chооѕіng thе Right Chіrорrасtоr

5 tipsWe’ve all been thеrе before: trying to сhооѕе between a lіѕt оf potential buѕіnеѕѕеѕ оr рrоfеѕѕіоnаlѕ wіth vеrу lіttlе оf ѕubѕtаnсе tо gо оn. Most оf thе tіmе wе rеlу on оnlіnе rеvіеwѕ, glаnсеѕ аt wеb pages, and іf wе are luсkу wе mау knоw someone whо hаѕ bееn to that business already аnd саn tell you whаt tо еxресt.

Gоіng tо a сhіrорrасtоr іѕ аn important dесіѕіоn, еvеn more ѕо bесаuѕе mаnу реорlе do not know much about chiropractic to start wіth. Whаt lіttlе thеу dо knоw mау vеrу wеll bе wrong. Sоmе соnѕіdеr сhіrорrасtоrѕ ԛuіtе рооrlу and аrе skeptical оf thе profession. Sоmе аrе open tо ѕееіng a сhіrорrасtоr but hаvе nо frіеndѕ or fаmіlу tо steer thеm to thе rіght person, аnd have nо experience wіth chiropractic thаt wоuld mаkе an Intеrnеt ѕеаrсh еаѕіеr. It helps whеn уоu know thе “lаnguаgе” of ѕоmеthіng bесаuѕе уоur Google ѕеаrсh will bе muсh mоrе fruіtful whеn уоu use the rіght tеrmіnоlоgу. Using brоаd tеrmѕ оftеn will nеt уоu nothing mоrе than a lіѕt оf chiropractors who dо a lоt оf advertising аnd who fіll thеіr wеbѕіtеѕ wіth keywords just tо аttrасt vіѕіtоrѕ vіа Gооglе.Read More >

What is Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation?

Dr. CiancioloIf you are experiencing any of a number of common physical ailments, then it is likely your doctor will at some point refer you to a chiropractor for therapeutic treatment.  After your initial evaluation at a chiropractic office, the chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan for your condition, which will include regular in-office sessions.  These sessions may include things like deep tissue massage, acupuncture, traction, and/or cold laser . . . but they will always include spinal manipulation, because spinal manipulation is the hallmark of chiropractic care.  So, exactly what is spinal manipulation, and is it as scary as it sounds?  If you are facing the prospect of seeing a chiropractor, then these spinal manipulation basics can help set your mind at ease:

Origins of spinal manipulation.  The process of manipulating the spine for proper alignment can be traced back to the beginning of recorded history.  Ancient Egyptian and Chinese texts outline techniques they used to keep the spine in proper form, and even the ancient Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates touted the positive effects and importance of spinal manipulation in his texts, saying that the spine is associated with many common health ailments.  Spinal manipulation was introduced to the American mainstream in 1895 by Doctor Daniel David Palmer.  Since that time, its popularity has spread to global proportion.

Spinal manipulation techniques.  High velocity low amplitude (HVLA) thrust is the most common type of spinal manipulation technique.  HVLA thrust involves placing pressure on a specific area of the body with the intent of providing a therapeutic effect, and it can be done in a variety of ways.  Other spinal manipulation techniques (which may or may not involve HVLA thrust) include the toggle drop, the lumbar roll, release work, and table adjustments.  The truth is, ten different patients may be able to describe ten completely different types of care they received at the chiropractic office.  Additionally, chiropractors may opt to use instruments to achieve spinal adjustments, and may even put the patient under general anesthesia for more complicated sessions.

How spinal manipulation works.  The purpose of spinal manipulation is to properly align the vertebrae in a way that frees up space between the spine’s discs.  When there is ample space between the discs, irritation and swelling may go down and, in turn, the nerves encased in the spine receive less pressure (which they register as pain) and are better able to communicate effectively with the body’s nervous system.

As you can see, spinal manipulation is nothing to be afraid of.  It may be unfamiliar to you, but it is an ages-old technique that is time-proven to provide effective results.

3 Ways a Chiropractor is Different than a Medical Doctor

San Francisco Chiropractic QuestionsIf you have a lot of experience as a patient, having been treated by an array of doctors and specialists, then you are probably well aware of the various letter combinations that sit behind any given doctor’s name.  The most widely recognized designation of this type is “MD,” which stands for “Doctor of Medicine.”  However, if you have back problems or any of a number of other common health conditions, your regular MD may decide to refer you to a “CD,” or “Doctor of Chiropractic.”  So, what do those two letters mean, actually?  And why can’t your MD do what a chiropractor does?  For your information, here are three ways a chiropractor is different than a medical doctor:

Education.  Chiropractors and medical doctors must possess different knowledge and skill sets.  Therefore, although they both begin in college receiving a general medical education (anatomy, physiology, etc.), their educations take very separate paths after the first two years.  Chiropractors must complete two years of undergraduate studies, then spend four years in chiropractic school.  After they graduate from chiropractic school, they must serve an outpatient facility internship for two years.  Medical doctors, on the other hand, must complete four years of undergraduate studies before heading to medical school, which lasts another four years.  Medical school is followed by an internship at a hospital, which lasts one year at the very least, and finally a residency in their specialty for between two to three years.

Licensing.  Chiropractors are required to obtain a license with their State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.  Medical doctors must pass an examination given by the United States Medical Licensing Board before even entering into a residency.  Before practicing, medical doctors must pass the State Board of Medical Licensing examination, and then a licensing examination by the American Board of Medical Specialties before going into a chosen specialty.

Treatment options and methods.  Medical doctors are able to prescribe medications, whereas chiropractors are only able to recommend dietary supplements and vitamins.  Additionally, medical doctors may perform surgeries (if they have served surgical residencies), while chiropractors use a non-invasive approach to treatment that involves manual manipulation of the spinal column.

Perhaps the most important thing to note is that chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, even though it is often referred to as “alternative medicine.”  Chiropractic care is really just a great way to supplement your normal health routine, as well as to support any medical care you are receiving.  When in doubt, see a doctor; when you have an option, see a chiropractor.

How a Chiropractor Can Help Your Back Pain

lower-back-pain-reliefPeople visit the chiropractic office for a wide array of reasons, from asthma to injury.  Perhaps one of the most common, or at least well known, reasons for those chiropractic visits is back pain.  And studies show it works: In a survey conducted by Consumer Reports, a whopping sixty-five percent of all people receiving chiropractic care for back pain claimed they experienced “a lot” of relief from their treatment.  If you are considering a visit to the chiropractor for your own discomfort, here is a guide to how a chiropractor can help your back pain:

Preparing for the treatment plan.  Before a chiropractor will work on your back, a lot of care must go into understanding the cause of your back pain, the current condition of your overall health, and the best way to treat your discomfort.  To create a treatment plan suited especially to your specific needs, you will first have to provide the chiropractor with a detailed medical history, and then you will have to submit to a comprehensive health examination.  If need be, the chiropractor may even refer you for further lab tests or X-Rays before treating you.

Goals of the treatment plan.  Of course, the immediate goal is to relieve your back pain.  However, chiropractors are also concerned with maintaining the positive benefits of your chiropractic care long after you experience pain relief.  Specific goals are to keep the pain at bay for good, and as well to prevent any further injury that can cause even more, or different types of, pain.

What does the treatment plan involve?  The severity and nature of your back pain will determine how frequently you may visit the chiropractor.  Once you have established a good base line, you will go into the chiropractor’s office on a regular basis for spinal manipulation.  During the vertebral alignment process, the chiropractor will adjust your spine using a variety of manual methods.  Many chiropractors also offer deep tissue massage and acupuncture as therapeutic solutions for back pain.  Additionally, chiropractors often use a well-rounded approach to treating your condition, including nutritional counseling and guidance for exercises/activities you may do on your own to help ease the pain.

How does chiropractic care work?  When a chiropractor manipulates the spine to achieve vertebral alignment, it frees up space between the discs in the vertebrae, which may be cramped due to bulging/herniated discs and/or the swelling in the surrounding tissue.  When the discs are properly spaced, tension and pressure between them is often reduced, allowing nerves to communicate more effectively with the rest of the nervous system (and to stop sending those pain signals!).

If you have back pain, you owe it to yourself to explore the possibility of seeking treatment from a chiropractor.  Consider these points when determining how chiropractic care may be of help to you.