Chiropractic Therapy – Vanish Your Body Pain
Chiropractic therapy is gradually gaining world wide acceptance as a therapy modality for disorders of the spine especially disorders arising from the musculoskeletal system. It involves the use of the manipulation and other techniques to treat disorders for muscles, bones and tendons. In chiropractic therapy, joint manipulation, massage and stretching are techniques used in treatment. Other modalities used alongside the principle treatment are electrical stimulation, diet and nutritional supplements, massaging using heat or ice.
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Different Types of Chiropractic Therapy
In chiropractic therapy, manipulation is the primary treatment offered. However, different treatment types have been designed and there are currently in use by chiropractors.
- Manipulation treatment: in this treatment, a sudden yet controlled and precise force is used. It is the commonest type used in degenerative bone disease and back sprain. During this treatment, squeaking may be heard and should not be mistaken for bone grinding. The hand or specially design machines can be used to achieve treatment. After treatment, range of movement across joints are restored with minimal or no pain
- Soft tissue treatment: this is another type of chiropractic treatment in which the soft tissues like the muscles, tendons and nerves are targeted by gentle massage and stretching.
- Electrical stimulation: this is used primarily to restore muscle function caused by damage to the nerves. The nerves act like electric wires which supplies impulse to the muscle from the brain hence stimulating movement. A Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is used for this purpose. It is a small electrical unit that supplies the necessary electric stimulation
- Traction: traction is the application of weight on a distant part of the body with the aim of relieving pressure. It has been used in relieving nerve compression, disc herniation and to reduce bone fractures. This chiropractic type needs additional training.
- Temperature therapy: different temperatures have been used in reducing pain and stimulating muscles. Ice of hot therapy is used to relax muscle, reduce pain and swelling from injuries, controls emotions and improves general well being.
Origin of Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic dates back to the 18th century when Daniel Palmer discovered that manipulation of the human body can restore body functions. His first patient was Harvey Lillard whose hearing was restoring after sessions of treatment with Palmer. After several years of independent practice, Palmer decided to set up the first chiropractic school in 1896where he taught his new discovery to his students. The name chiropractic was coined by Palmer’s friend Rev. Samuel Weed meaning “done by hand”. Since then, different chiropractic schools have been established with an Osteopathy board which monitors and regulates the activities of chiropractors.
Uses of Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic therapy is used mainly in the treatment of acute and chronic back pain, effective in relieving symptoms of lumbar disc herniation, trauma to the back, arthritis, mobilization of the back after back surgeries and degenerative spinal diseases. The most common ailment treated by chiropractic is back strain and sprain.
Other uses
Other medical conditions treated by chiropractic therapy includes by not exclusive to headaches and migraine headaches, sciatica, whiplash injury following cervical injury from road traffic accidents of sports, peripheral nerve disorders, tail bone pain and fibromyalgia.
Precaution Taking Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic therapy should be used with care and only trained and skillful chiropractors should be allowed to administer treatment. Although side effects are rare, complications like cauda equina syndrome can occur. Cauda equina is the collection of spinal nerves that supplies the legs. It resembles the tail of a horse. During chiropractic therapy the spine roots may be compressed causing pain and difficulty in movement of the legs. Other recorded complications are sexual, bladder and rectum disruption.
