Is chiropractic care right for me?
Chronic pain is a major health issue faced by many people. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that anywhere from 20-40% of U.S. adults experience chronic pain and report that chronic pain is the number one reason people seek medical care. Common locations for chronic pain include the back, neck, shoulders, hips, and knees. If you experience chronic pain, you know how deeply it can impact your life – and how welcome relief from pain can be.
Chiropractic care helps millions of people treat and even end their chronic pain. Chiropractic is a type of therapy that utilizes spinal alignment and adjustment to relieve pressure on the nervous system that can contribute to inflammation, pain, and numerous related conditions. Through their unique type of care, chiropractors can help people address a wide range of conditions, helping their patients live healthier, more active, pain-free lives.
While chiropractic care is a great solution for many health issues, it’s not right for everyone. No matter what, always consult with your doctor before making changes to your health routine. Read on to learn more about when chiropractic care may be an appropriate solution for you and when it may not be the right fit.
When to See a Chiropractor
There are many reasons why someone might seek chiropractic care. People of all ages, from infancy to older age, can benefit from seeing a chiropractor. Conditions that a chiropractor can help with include:
- Intermittent or ongoing back, neck, shoulder, or knee pain that is not linked to advanced osteoarthritis.
- Whiplash and other muscular aches and pains after a car accident or other injury.
- Pain or discomfort from old athletic injuries.
- Chronic tension headaches or migraines – chiropractic alignment can relieve nerve pressure that leads to these types of headaches.
- Frozen shoulder syndrome.
- Aging-related loss of balance and mobility.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Chronic stress and related symptoms including muscle tightness, fatigue, pain, and irritability.
- Pregnancy support and pregnancy-related pain management.
- Numbness or tingling in the joints or extremities.
- Digestive issues.
- Those seeking pain relief who would like to avoid taking prescription pain medication.
When Chiropractic May not be the Right Fit
While chiropractic care helps people with a wide range of common ailments, this type of therapy is not the right solution for certain conditions. People who have experienced a slipped or herniated disc should talk to their doctor for recommendations on the type of specialty treatment they should seek. Those with advanced arthritis, osteoporosis, or other conditions that lead to fragility in the musculoskeletal system should also consult their physician before seeking chiropractic care. Bone fractures or sprains should be treated by a physician first, with chiropractic care kept as an option once the bone has fully healed.
If you’re wondering whether or not to see a chiropractor, talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if chiropractic care is a good next step. You can also schedule a consultation with a chiropractor like Dr. Corinne Kennedy of Kennedy Chiropractic in Wauwatosa. During this consultation, Dr. Kennedy will learn more from you about your needs and history and conduct a simple exam and imaging tests to determine whether you could benefit from chiropractic care.
At Kennedy Chiropractic, Dr. Corinne Kennedy helps people of all ages in Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Elm Grove, Waukesha, and Milwaukee improve their health, increase their mobility and balance, and reduce pain. Chiropractic care is an excellent alternative to traditional pain management solutions and is a great fit for many common conditions. For answers to your questions or to schedule your consultation, give Kennedy Chiropractic a call today.
