The answer to this question comes in many forms. People see chiropractors for a wide variety of reasons and conditions. While some visit a chiropractor because they have sustained an injury to a joint or muscle in their body, others come on more of a preventative or maintenance basis, similar to getting regular check-ups at the dentist.
So, the question remains: How do I know if I should go see a chiropractor? For simplicity’s sake, here are several answers:
1. Pain. Any pain. Many people fall into the trap of thinking that if it isn’t back or neck pain, it isn’t something a chiropractor should handle. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. From hips to ankles, and shoulders to wrists, chiropractors are neuromusculoskeletal specialists. That means, they work closely with your nerves, muscles, and joints. The 4 years of specialty training a chiropractor receives after his or her undergraduate education is highly saturated in anatomy, and in diagnosing and treating various conditions that pertain to every aspect of the human body. So whether it’s that dull ache that has been building over time, or that sharp pain after a sudden movement or activity, it is worth paying the chiropractor a visit.
2. Dysfunction. Since only a small portion of our nervous system is devoted to the perception of pain, by the time we are actually IN pain, chances are there has been a significant build-up of dysfunction. Pain occurs when that final straw breaks the camel’s back – whether that be running a long race when you’ve been experiencing mild leg pain for weeks, or something as simple as picking an object up off the floor, or a sharp sneeze. So, what do I mean when I say ‘dysfunction’? The answer can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. For example, have you ever noticed unevenness in your stride? Favouring of one side over the other when carrying heavy objects, or even simple things such as a purse? Mild discomfort in your mid or low back after prolonged sitting or standing, but nothing you would call “pain”? These are all signs of dysfunction. In other words, you don’t always have to wait until that final straw breaks to go get checked out. The solution could be very simple, and things are always easier to fix when they aren’t completely broken!
3. Prevention. You’re feeling great – why not keep it that way? Spinal health is important! As is the maintenance of your soft tissues. Unfortunately, pain is a very strong motivator. So much so that people often neglect their bodies (and even their general health) until something painful happens. We invest in preventative measures pertaining to other facets of life all the time – be it life insurance, yearly physicals, or even something as simple as applying wrinkle-prevention night cream, we live in a world of preventative measures. Imagine if we only visited the dentist when we suspected we had a cavity! The point is, there is value in maintaining your physical and biomechanical health, even when it is already in tip top shape. Chiropractors often do this by screening the muscles and joints of your spine and body for fixations or areas that aren’t quite moving right. A minor adjustment or soft tissue therapy may be required, and it is not uncommon for your chiropractor to give you some postural or rehabilitation exercises, even if nothing is currently wrong, to strengthen areas they perceive as being weaker than average.
The world of chiropractic extends far beyond the common notion of back pain. Chiropractors treat pain and dysfunction of all types in people of all types. It is never too early or too late to visit a chiropractor and see what they can do for you.
Written by Dr. Katie Sellars, Chiropractor. If you have any questions about this article or Chiropractors, please call the Arbour Soft TIssue & Naturally Fit at (519) 744-2620.
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