When people feel pain, stiffness or tension in their back or neck, their first instinct may be to reach for the paracetamol and hope whatever is causing the issue will sort itself out on its own.
When medication is no match for nagging back pain or neck stiffness, some people may consult their local GP or turn to alternative medicine, such as chiropractic care.
If you’ve never seen a chiropractor, you might be wondering why people go to them in the first place. What do they do? How can they help and when should you consider seeing a chiropractor?If you’re curious about chiropractic care, or if you’re just not sure if it’s right for you, read on for more information.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on musculoskeletal problems, especially those of the spine.
Chiropractors are medically regulated healthcare practitioners who use hands-on spinal manipulation to apply controlled force to joints and perform adjustments.
By performing specific spinal adjustments, chiropractic care aims to relieve pressure and pain, restore mobility to joints, improve movement and restore biomechanics. Additionally, Chiropractic care does not involve medication and is instead focused on restoring the body’s proper alignment.
Why Do People Visit a chiropractor?
There are many reasons someone may see a chiropractor, however, lower back pain, neck pain and pain or stiffness along the spine are some of the most common reasons people visit a chiropractor.
Even if you don’t have any specific problems, chiropractic care may be an option for preventative treatment to keep your body healthy and functioning at its best. Chiropractors may help you stay aligned and balanced, which may prevent problems from developing down the road.
Chiropractors also commonly address posture and alignment problems.
Poor posture is one of the most common causes of back pain, which affects more than four million people in Australia. Poor posture places additional stress and pressure on your spine, muscles and joints, which can result in pain, mobility and balance issues.
How Do I Find A Chiropractor?
From location to the practitioner’s area of interest, there are many things to consider when it comes to finding the right chiropractor for you.
Below are some tips and things to consider when it comes to finding a chiropractor:
Find out their area of interest For example, if you have a sports injury, you may benefit from a chiropractor who has a clinical interest in treating sports injuries. If you are pregnant or have recently given birth, you may wish to consult with a prenatal or postnatal chiropractor.
Consider location
Spending hours on public transport or driving long distances might not be the ideal start to your chiropractic care journey. For this reason, it is important to consider location when you are searching for a chiropractor.
One of the easiest ways to find a chiropractor in your area is to use a search engine, such as Google, to locate the nearest chiropractor.
For example, if you live in Gladesville, search for ‘Gladesville chiropractor’ or ‘chiropractor Gladesville‘ to find the best chiropractors in the Gladesville area.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can also check out the Australian Chiropractors Association website for a list of accredited chiropractors in your area.
What Qualifications Do Chiropractors Have
Becoming a qualified chiropractor is no walk in the park.
As health practitioners, chiropractors need to complete an intense five-year university degree before they can register as healthcare professionals.
Remember, not all chiropractors are created equal, but by following these tips, doing your research and reading reviews, you should be able to find the right chiropractor for you!