A Beginner’s Guide To Chiropractic Care

Chronic back and neck pain can impact your life in a variety of ways. Lost workdays, missed time with family and the inability to enjoy hobbies you once loved are only a few issues you might face as you struggle to alleviate your pain. You may have considered chiropractic care as a solution but may be unsure if it is the right choice for you. Understanding the basics of chiropractic treatment before you make an appointment may help you make the most informed choice possible.

Defining Chiropractic Care 

There is much more to chiropractic care than most people realize. In fact, this type of care can go far beyond alleviating tension in the spine or what is commonly known as back cracking. Chiropractors offer many different types of treatment that involve the neck and spine, including:

  • Increasing range of motion 
  • Realign damaged joints 
  • Reducing chronic pain 

People from all walks of life engage in chiropractic care, and it is safe for most. Your doctor can help you decide if it is right for you.

Choosing a Chiropractor 

Your general practitioner or family doctor may refer you to a local chiropractor’s office if he or she believes you might benefit from the treatments. If you have any type of insurance, including Medicare or Medicaid, a referral may be necessary before a program covers the cost. If you want to find a chiropractor on your own, it can be helpful to read reviews online and see what other people have to say about the treatment they have received.

What To Expect 

During your first visit to the chiropractor, you can expect to fill out a variety of insurance forms and a complete medical history. You may want to bring along a list of medications you currently take as well, so your chiropractor can review how your back pain has been treated thus far. He or she may also give you an initial exam or take x-rays if no recent records are available via your physician.

As treatment begins, your chiropractor may inform you about his or her findings and then form a treatment plan to review with you. Chronic back or neck pain may take months to alleviate under chiropractic care, so it is important that you remain patient when it comes to feeling the effects of the manipulations.

Your quality of life can be seriously affected by the pain and discomfort spinal issues can cause, but you do not have to suffer in silence. Reach out to a Chiropractor, like the chiropractors at Mid-atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic to make an appointment or for further assistance.