Some Treatments A Chiropractor Offers You May Not Know About

When you think of going to a chiropractor for treatment, you may think of having your back pushed and prodded. While spinal adjustments are a big part of chiropractic care, it isn't the only form of treatment provided. Also, chiropractors do not only work on back pain. Chiropractic services treat a wide range of medical conditions. Here are some treatments you might receive from a chiropractor besides a spinal adjustment:

Massage Therapy

Massage can be a useful tool for recovering from an injury or illness. A chiropractor is trained in massage and may also employ massage therapists in the clinic. A relaxing massage does wonders for tense muscles and for anxiety. However, a trigger point massage can be therapeutic too. For this type of massage, the chiropractor presses on the body area where you have pain. When he or she finds a sore spot, pressure is applied in that area to help break apart adhesions so healing can begin.

Hot And Cold Therapy

Ice is useful for back pain because it has a numbing effect. It also reduces swelling which can help with pain. Heat speeds healing because it increases circulation. Increased blood flow floods injured tissues with much-needed nutrients and oxygen so they recover faster. Your chiropractor may give you ice treatments quickly followed by heat treatments to help heal an injury and reduce pain.

Decompression Treatments

Decompression treatments can help with conditions such as sciatica where there is compression on a nerve that causes pain. These treatments are given with the help of a computerized table that positions your body in such a way that decompression occurs in the area that needs it. This improves blood flow to speed healing.

Medical Device Treatments

Your chiropractor has a variety of medical devices to use in the treatment of injuries and conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. Some of these include cold lasers, ultrasounds, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback. When you go for your first session, the chiropractor will assess your condition and come up with an appropriate treatment plan that may or may not include treatment with a medical device along with spinal adjustments.

Natural Therapies

Chiropractors take a holistic view of your health. Rather than focusing only on the area of your pain, they look at the health of your body as a whole. Your chiropractor may recommend a certain diet or supplements to make your body stronger so it can heal itself. In addition, you may be instructed on specific exercises to do that strengthen your muscles and increase flexibility so you heal faster and prevent further injury.

If you've ever wondered what a chiropractor does, you can see the treatments are wide-ranging. You don't have to have a back or neck injury to see a chiropractor. Anytime you have an injury or illness that causes pain anywhere in your body, you may want to see a chiropractor so you can get relief in a safe and natural way.