What Does a Chiropractor Do?
You must have seen Chiropractors on Instagram reels or Youtube shorts. Most of the videos usually show a person lying on a bed and the Chiropractor bending and twisting his/her extremities or other parts of the body in a peculiar way until a cracking sound comes out. Although, sometimes horrifying to watch, you must have noticed that at the end of the session there is a sigh of relief on the face of the patient. As if a long standing pain is gone now! That is what Chiropractors do. Let’s delve into a detailed understanding of Chiropractic and what does a Chiropractor do.
Who is a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a registered health practitioner who assesses and manages neuro musculoskeletal conditions, including back and neck pain, using manual therapies such as chiropractic adjustment, following a full assessment.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
People visit chiropractors about muscle, bone or joint pain or dysfunction. A chiropractor primarily focuses on spinal adjustments and related manual therapies, following a full assessment. Here is a detailed description of what does a Chiropractor do, and how it benefits their patients.
● Assessment and Diagnosis
As any other treatment method Chiropractic treatment plan includes assessment and diagnosis. This includes physical examination of patients which a Chiropractor does by using their hands or tools, checking medical history of the patient, X-Rays to identify the issues causing pain, uneasiness, or dysfunction.
● Treatment Plan
The next step after diagnostics is a treatment plan. Outcomes of diagnostics suggest the type of problem a patient is facing and the reasons behind it. Based on this diagnosis the Chiropractors design a personalized treatment plan which may include spinal adjustment, spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, range of motion, lifestyle advice, even playing sport.
● Spinal Adjustments
A major part of chiropractic care may include spinal adjustments or manipulation. In this process, a chiropractor applies controlled force to a joint or joints of the spine or other parts of the body to improve the alignment of joints, their mobility and function. Some people report feeling less discomfort after adjustments, though individual experiences vary.
● Non-Spinal Adjustments
Alongside the spine, the knees, shoulders, hips, ankles, etc. joints can also get misaligned and cause pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic treatment may also include adjustment of non-spinal joints such as the knees, shoulders, hips and ankles, where assessment indicates.
● Soft Tissue Therapy
Chiropractors may incorporate soft tissue therapies such as massage trigger point therapy. They also use stretching techniques to complement spinal adjustments. These therapies may help relax muscles; individual responses vary and they form part of a plan discussed after assessment.
● Preventive Measures
Chiropractic care may include preventive measures such as regular exercise, ergonomic advice and periodic reviews, which can be discussed with a qualified health professional following an assessment.
Consult MyChiro
If you would like to discuss neck pain, back pain, headaches or posture concerns, you can book an assessment with a registered chiropractor at MyChiro in Bondi Junction to discuss whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.