Chiropractors manipulate and adjust a patient's neuromusculoskeletal system—the muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, and tendons. Proper alignment of the body's spinal joints improves the overall functioning of other systems throughout the body.
While most people seek chiropractic treatment primarily for back pain, the services go beyond chiropractic back treatment. Consult your chiropractic care specialist if you suffer the below conditions.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches (CGH) are a popular type of headache that causes pain at the back of your neck and head, in the temples, and behind the eyes. Many people mistake a cervicogenic headache for a migraine or cluster headache.
The CGH pain is commonly a dull ache and occurs on one side of the neck, head, or face. A bad posture, stress, and strenuous work can contribute to CGH pain.
A chiropractor may perform neck adjustments and give you some stretching exercises to relieve the pain. They may also suggest healthy ways to reduce stress and relieve a cervicogenic headache at home.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a type of neck sprain or strain that results from a forceful, rapid back-and-forth neck motion. Rear-end vehicle collisions often cause this type of neck injury.
However, whiplash may also result from other types of traumas, such as sports accidents. The signs and symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Pain at the base of the skull
- Pain when turning your neck
Whiplash can be managed through extensive chiropractic adjustments that include special exercises and stretches. A chiropractor also uses other techniques to reduce muscle spasms and swelling, often using heat or ice.
Sacroiliac Pain
Sacroiliac (SI) pain develops in your spine's tailbone. SI joint pain is common in people who ride bikes for a long time. But the problem can also occur without such obvious reasons.
SI pain causes soreness at the back of your thighs or in your buttocks. Chiropractors treat this condition with point-specific chiropractic alignment techniques.
Your chiropractor can also recommend some exercises to lessen the strain on the nearby joints. Such exercises aim to strengthen the core muscles that support the problematic areas.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) typically results from aging. As you age, your intervertebral discs degenerate and break down due to years of strain.
The degenerated discs lose their elasticity, flexibility, and shock absorption capability. These discs can also get thinner as a result of dehydration. As such, chiropractors can treat DDD in people of all ages.
In a nutshell, chiropractors can treat pain in any part of the body, including the head and jaws, elbows and wrists, hips and pelvis, knees and ankles.
A diagnostic imaging test can determine if your health problems result from possible interference with your spine or other areas that might need periodic adjustment.
