by (DIY Health): Alternative medicine offers people new and different ways to treat common ailments without the use of medication…
Some people avoid medication due to the side effects, while others fear becoming addicted or dependent on the drug. If you’re one of these people, or are simply looking for a new way to treat a specific condition, chiropractic care might be right for you. The most common aversion to this type of treatment is the apprehension of your back or neck being “cracked”. But it’s important to know that chiropractors do much more than that and a professional will respect your feelings and work within the parameters of your comfort level. You can read more now about the benefits of chiropractic care and if you’re still not convinced, here are 8 more reasons to consider seeing a chiropractor.
- Treats More Than Just Back Pain
When most people think of visiting a chiropractor, back pain comes to mind. And while chiropractors are known for treating both neck and back pain, these aren’t the only conditions they address. Chiropractors offer relief for people dealing with headaches, anxiety, allergies, asthma, ear infections, certain cancers, and gastrointestinal issues. The premis surrounding chiropractic care is that when the body’s musculoskeletal system is properly aligned, it helps address other ailments. For example, headaches are often caused by tension in the upper back, neck, and shoulders. Some chiropractic treatments can help alleviate this tension and, in turn, reduce the onset of headaches.
- Provides a More Holistic Approach
Visiting a chiropractor is a great alternative to taking pain medication or undergoing surgery. Many back pain sufferers turn to over the counter or even prescription pain relievers to find relief. Regular use of these types of pain relievers put you at a greater risk for liver damage, dependency, addiction, and your body building up immunity to their effectiveness. When you find pain relief through chiropractic care, you eliminate the need for taking medications. You may also avoid invasive surgery that requires a long recovery time by opting for a chiropractic adjustment.
- Improves Athletic Performance
Whether you’re a professional athlete, avid exercise enthusiast, or work a physically demanding job; seeing a chiropractor can both improve your performance and help prevent injury. Athletes are very hard on their bodies. Hours of training and pushing your limits can take its toll on you physically. There are sports-specific chiropractors who specialize in working with athletes. They focus on injuries, joints, tissue, muscles, and even concussions. Their main purpose is to prevent injury, increase mobility, and speed up recovery time.
- Promotes Overall Well-Being
The benefits of chiropractic care don’t stop at just the physical. Many patients experience added benefits after an adjustment including a better night’s sleep and improved mood. Being pain free instantly boosts your mood and gives you a more positive outlook on life. But pain isn’t the only issue chiropractors’ address. As mentioned above, many patients find relief from other ailments. Some of the most common underlying issues are gastrointestinal related. A realigning of the musculoskeletal system can help address gastro issues including heartburn, GERD, and even colic in infants. Chiropractic care is said to improve healing in cancer patients and address those types of cancer that metastasize in the skeletal system.
- Boosts the Immune System
Another way that chiropractic care can improve overall health and well-being is by boosting and strengthening a person’s immune system. The immune system is your body’s first line of defense against foreign substances and infection. When your immune system is strong, it helps you remain healthy and ward off possible viruses and illnesses. Because chiropractic care addresses the musculoskeletal system, as well as the nervous system, it directly affects your overall well-being and health. Chiropractic manipulation helps to unblock any obstructions between your nerves and the immune system. This allows the body to naturally heal and protect itself from outside irritants while helping the immune system work at optimal levels.
- Offers Cognitive and Behavioral Benefits
If you or a loved one is suffering from cognitive or behavioral issues, chiropractic care may also address some of these concerns. This is especially common and useful for children and young adults dealing with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), and other disruptive disorders that make it difficult for them to concentrate or succeed in a structured setting. Chiropractic adjustments may also help those suffering from learning disabilities associated with autism. It’s believed that when the body is physically aligned, it helps the mind become more focused, helping individuals concentrate and increase productivity.
- Perfect for Pregnant Women
Some pregnant women are hesitant to undergo any type of manipulation or massage during their pregnancy. But truth be told, both prenatal massage and chiropractic manipulation while pregnant can improve the expecting mother’s overall health, posture, and help reduce discomfort, stiffness, and inflammation associated with pregnancy. Most of this pain and discomfort comes from the change in weight distribution and strain placed on the pelvis and other joints from carrying the baby. When a pregnant woman seeks chiropractic care, not only does it help during the pregnancy but may even alleviate some of the contraction pain experienced during delivery. But the back isn’t the only area of the body that experiences strain during pregnancy. Seeing a chiropractor can help reduce pressure placed on the uterus as well, which promotes a healthy, natural birth versus the need for a cesarean section.
- Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States and comes with a long list of health complications. High blood pressure can cause stroke, Dementia, kidney disease, heart disease, and heart attack. If you’re suffering from high blood pressure and want an alternative to medication, chiropractic care can help and is proven to reduce both diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings. In order to help regulate your blood pressure, the chiropractor will likely focus on the bones in your neck and their position in relation to your brain stem. This is one possible source of high blood pressure.
Don’t let your apprehension over seeing a chiropractor stop you from experiencing the many benefits. Whether you suffer from chronic back pain, asthma, headaches, or are simply looking for a more balanced sense of well-being, chiropractic care can help you discover the best version of yourself.
