Chiropractic in the 21st Century
The purpose of this blog is to provide chiropractic information to the public.
Chiropractic has been around since 1895, yet it is still a bit of a mystery to many people. The main consensus is that chiropractors treat back pain using manual (hand-delivered), as opposed to invasive (drugs, surgery), procedures. Those who are more familiar with this discipline know that chiropractors can also treat extremity joint problems (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, anke, foot). Still others have an understanding that you can receive chiropractic treatment from a “wellness” standpoint.
One of the main reasons the public has different impressions of chiropractic is that there are multiple specialties within the field. Some chiropractors use solely their hands; others use hand held adjusting intruments that impart a light, quick impulse; some use modalities such as ice, heat, laser, and electric stimulation to help reduce pain and encourage soft tissue healing; and others rely heavily on nutrition and nutritional supplements.
Then there are the differences in treatment approach: let’s say you come in for acute low back pain. Go to a chiropractor who emphasizes pain relief, and you’ll most likely get ice, muscle stim, passive back stretches, light massage, and a low back adjustment (spinal manipulation). You may be told to come in 3x a week for 1-2 weeks, or even daily for one week. After the pain is gone, the chiropractor may recommend optional maintenance visits at up to 1x/month. Go to a chiropractor who emphasizes posture correction, and you may get recommended a more comprehensive treatment approach. If your spine deviates from normal posture (hunched back, straight neck, head tilt, sidebending spine) you may be recommended a treatment approach that attempts to restore normal alignment to your spine. This can be up to 50 treatments over six months and will require you to do home exercises. Go to a holistic chiropractor and you will have a different experience entirely. The holistic chiropractor will try to help you get out of pain, but during the process will inquire about other health deficits you may have, such as frequent colds, allergies, stomach/ digestive issues, and so on. Then, he/she will tell you that your body functions better if your nervous system is unobstructed, and that spinal dysfunction (misaligned and/or improperly moving bones) are the major cause of nervous system dysfunction. You may be recommended an “annual” wellness program consisting of weekly visits.
Now, how does one go about finding a good chiropractor? First of all, be aware of the three main types of chiropractors mentioned above. Ask the potential chiropractor what he/she emphasizes in his/her practice. Many chiropractors give complimentary consultations; take advantage of them. Don’t feel pressured to commit to care; the purpose is to visit the clinic, meet the chiropractor, get info on the type of care offered, and perhaps, discuss finances. Then, if all checks out, go for it.
I will address more topics of this nature in the future.
Dan Perez, DC
San Francisco Chiropractor
230 California St., Ste 600
San Francisco, CA
(415) 627-9077 x1
Tags: chiropractic, san francisco chiropractor
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