You don't have to wait to seek chiropractic care until you've been injured or suffered misalignment associated with diseases such as arthritis. Fundamental roles of chiropractic care focus not only on restoring function, but also on preventing injury and providing pain relief. Therefore, chiropractors also offer therapies that provide preventative and maintenance care.
Chiropractic Adjustments and Spine Health
Misalignments of the spine can be big or small, but certain activities you perform can make any misalignment worse. In addition to addressing musculoskeletal issues, chiropractic adjustments address nerve impingement—pressure on nerves—that may be causing you problems.
But because you are less likely to suffer back and neck injuries if your spine is properly aligned, regular chiropractic adjustments, which involve applying pressure to areas on the spine that are out of alignment, can decrease the number of spinal misalignments. Chiropractic adjustment also helps prevent nerve impingement that can interfere with messages the nerves on the spinal cord carry to and from the brain.
Frequency and Focus of Routine Chiropractic Care
How often you need to see a chiropractor for maintenance therapy depends on the condition of your spine and your activity level. If you are a highly active individual, you may require more maintenance care than someone who is more sedentary.
The types of chiropractic care you need can vary too, depending on what you do. For example, if you are an athlete, your chiropractor will focus on keeping your joints and bones adjusted to prevent injury.
If your job requires that you sit at a desk for a good part of the day, your chiropractor will stress the importance of moving to keep your spine and joints healthy. Taking simple measures such as standing up from your desk and frequently stretching your arms, legs, neck, and back can help prevent aches and pains from setting in. Consequently, your chiropractor may instruct you in stretching exercises such as shoulder shrugs and neck rotations.
Chiropractic Recommendations to Improve Overall Health
No matter what your activity level, your chiropractor may recommend a home exercise program to improve the strength and flexibility of your back and spinal muscles. The better the condition your body is in when it becomes sick or injured, the faster it will heal. A healthy spine also helps you maintain a higher level of functioning.
In addition to developing an exercise program for you to promote better overall health, your chiropractor may offer nutritional counseling, advice on relaxation techniques to reduce stress, and instruction on proper posture. He or she may talk to you about changing unhealthy behaviors and suggest self-care strategies for managing chronic pain.
Your chiropractor may also keep you well-informed about health issues for which you are at risk and teach you preventive measures to avoid pain and injury—all key aspects of pursuing a healthy lifestyle.
