Most people assume chiropractors just offer spinal manipulation to people with back and spine problems. However, a qualified and trained chiropractor may use a combination of drugless and noninvasive therapies along with chiropractic adjustment to ensure optimal patient health and wellbeing.
Some of the therapies that chiropractors regularly use include the following:
Heat and Cold Therapy
If you suffer from back pain, the chiropractor may use heat and cold therapy to facilitate blood flow to aid faster healing. This therapy alternates between heat and cold. First the area is numbed with ice packs for about 10 to 15 minutes and then a heating pad is placed on the affected area.
Soft Tissue Massage
Chiropractors may use soft tissue massage to boost circulation and reduce inflammation and swelling of the back. This also stimulates faster healing. This massage can be as relaxing and soothing as a traditional massage.
Exercise
If you have a chronic back problem, the chiropractor may offer you instructions on how to stretch and strengthen your back. Usually, the chiropractor will help you with the exercises during consultation and once you learn them and become proficient, you will have to perform the exercises at home, as advised by the chiropractor.
Diathermy
Here, the chiropractor uses shortwave electromagnetic therapy that penetrates into the dense tissue. It is used to relax connective tissue and muscles, hasten healing by boosting blood circulation and reduce muscle spasms.
Hydrotherapy
This particular chiropractic treatment involves water of different temperatures to reduce the back pain and aid faster healing of the injury. Hydrotherapy can be in the form of hot baths, wraps, saunas, and whirlpools, where the patient is treated with hot and cold water. The cold water numbs the back, while the hot water stimulates more blood flow to the affected area of the back.
Ultrasound
This therapy makes use of sound waves to create deep heat in the soft tissues and joints. It reduces spasms, stiffness and pain, and helps boost blood flow to accelerate healing.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation
This therapy involves placing electrodes on the skin to send electrical impulses to different parts of the body. The aim of this therapy is to reduce inflammation and swelling, alleviate back pain and curbing muscle spasms.
Many chiropractors also offer advice to patients on their diet. Through proper dietary management and supplements, patients may experience reduction in their back pain and improvement in their overall health and wellbeing.
Speak to your chiropractor about different treatment protocols that he offers. You can then decide in consultation with the chiropractor which protocol suits your health and personal needs.
