Relief from Pain within Reach
For patients who are plagued by pain, chiropractic procedures can be the key to a pain-free life. No one should have to live with pain, and with the help of Dr. Z. and his staff, you may find that you are only a few adjustments away from living without discomfort. For more information about chiropractic care at Align Right, or to schedule an appointment, call our office today.
What is Chiropractic Care?
According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractic “focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.” Chiropractic services are used to treat a variety of complaints including neck and back pain, muscle aches, headaches, and joint pain.
A chiropractic adjustment is known by several names: chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation or spinal manipulation. But regardless of the name, this therapy is treatment for pain that originates from misalignment in the spine. In chiropractic care, Dr. Z applies manipulation to the vertebrae that are not functioning normally or that have irregular movement patterns. The goal of this chiropractic treatment is to reduce subluxation and thereby increase range of motion, decrease nerve irritation and improve function.
In addition to adjustments, Dr. Z and our team at AlignRight Chiropractic offer related types of services in order to help patients overcome pain and discomfort and maintain their best possible level of health. These services include massage therapy, rehabilitation, lifestyle advice, and more.
Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment
Almost everyone can benefit from chiropractic care. Our chiropractor in Richardson can be helpful to infants as well as people living into their 90s and beyond. Chiropractic care offers a number of ways to adjust the spine, so whether the patient is a child, adult, or senior, they can be adjusted in a manner that is safe and effective.
In addition to relieving the symptoms named above, restoring and maintaining spinal alignment has other benefits, including:
- Unimpeded communication between mind and body
- Better flexibility, immunity, and strength
- Quicker healing when damage occurs
- Reduced risk of serious health issues like nerve damage
Types of Chiropractic Care
After your assessment, Dr. Z will create a treatment plan that has your specific needs and goals in mind. Although there are many problems chiropractic care can address, the most common ones consist of back pain, neck pain, headaches, and numbness and tingling, which are explained in greater detail below.
Back Pain
Whether you’ve had low back pain for years or you’ve suffered a recent injury from a long day of yardwork, low back pain can be debilitating. Whether you require a spinal adjustment, rehabilitation work, or massage therapy, Dr. Z can provide a customized treatment plan that alleviates your pain and restores function.
Neck Pain
With handheld technology and working long hours at a computer desk becoming more prevalent, we are seeing a serious increase in patients who suffer from chronic neck pain. Poor posture for prolonged periods of time can lead to misalignment and aggravation in the spine and therefore pain. Fortunately, Dr. Z can treat neck pain by guiding the spine back into proper alignment as well as teach healthy habits, stretches, and exercises to promotes better posture.
Headaches
A headache every now and then usually isn’t too much of a problem, but did you know that as many as 9 out of 10 people experience headaches on a regular basis? Depending on their frequency and severity, headaches can interfere with your quality of life and even your ability to function. You don’t have to solely rely on aspirin and resting in dark rooms for relief. Dr. Z can ease the muscular tension in the neck, which reduces pressure on the cervical spine. As a result, you may have headaches or migraines less often or at a more manageable level to carry on with your day.
Numbness and Tingling
These sensations may not necessarily be painful, but they aren’t exactly pleasant or a good sign. If you experience numbness or tingling, you need to come see us for treatment. These symptoms often indicate that a nerve’s messages to the brain are being blocked. As an expert in the nervous system, Dr. Z can identify where the blockage is and open communication back up, restoring feeling.
Chiropractic Care FAQs
When Should I Seek a Chiropractor?
Particularly with age, little aches and pains happen, but persistent or debilitating back, neck, and joint pain can hinder your quality of life and functioning. If your discomfort has lasted longer than a few days and interferes with your abilities, make an appointment with us!
Even if you aren’t in pain, you can work with Dr. Z to actively prevent back, neck, and joint injuries by making sure your nervous system remains happy and healthy. Regular adjustments can help you deal with everyday strains, posture, and other nerve issues, allowing you to stay safe and understand how you can avoid hurting yourself, especially as you grow older.
What Causes Neck Pain?
Your neck has serious responsibilities: to support and move your head. It not only bears significant weight but also has your spine running through it, meaning its sensitive nerves need to be well balanced to avoid pain. You can experience discomfort when your neck is held in a certain position for a long time, such as when you bend your neck forward at your desk to see your computer screen, look down at your phone for hours, sleep oddly on your pillow, or have other poor posture. These unnatural positions can cause muscle tightness or strain and make motion and daily functions more difficult.
What Can I Do to Help Relieve Pain at Home?
You shouldn’t rely exclusively on Dr. Z to reduce your discomfort. While at-home care may not be enough, it can help you gain more mobility and carry you through until you can see us in person for treatment.
Some pain-relieving techniques you can do at home include:
- Apply cold and heat packs to the affected area because the cold lessens inflammation and the heat loosens tight muscles.
- Resting has importance for healing, but light movement or exercise can also keep your body active and healthy without adding to your injury and pain.
- Performing certain stretches or light exercises every day can free tight muscles and compressed nerves.
What Conditions Can a Chiropractor Treat?
You may already be familiar with some of the services Dr. Z can provide as a chiropractor, but others may surprise you! Many patients see chiropractors for back and neck pain, expecting to get spinal adjustments; however, did you know that Dr. Z can also address carpal tunnel, headaches, knee pain, and numbness or tingling in extremities? Basically, with nearly any type of issue resulting from nerve interference or injury, we can treat and help you heal in a minimally invasive, drug-free way!
How Long Does Chiropractic Care Take to Relieve Pain?
Even two people who come in with the same symptoms may have a different prognosis and experience. While one patient may find at least a little bit of relief after the very first visit with us, the other may need to come in a few times before noticing a difference. Chiropractic care isn’t magic—it likely won’t fix your issue overnight or in just one appointment. The typical case usually requires a couple of months if not longer. It takes time to remind the body how it is supposed to be lined up to take pressure off nerves and maintain healthy posture.