Why Become a Chiropractor?

Bentonville Chiropractor uses their hands to manipulate the joints of your body to relieve pain and improve your musculoskeletal system functions.

During an adjustment, you may feel or hear a popping or cracking sound as the chiropractor moves your joints. This is due to the release of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide that get trapped in the small spaces of your joints.

Spinal adjustments are a type of chiropractic treatment that uses manual manipulation of the spine to correct misalignments or vertebral subluxations. They can be helpful for a wide range of conditions and patients, including lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, arthritis, disc herniations, chronic pain, bad posture, and headaches.

Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that emphasizes the relationship between structure and function. It is distinct from physiotherapy, which involves using exercises to improve muscle and joint flexibility.

During an adjustment, the chiropractor uses their hands to apply a sudden, controlled force to a spinal joint. This can be felt by the patient as they hear a popping sound that can cause a slight sensation of tingling or burning.

A chiropractor may also use other types of techniques, including ice and heat therapy, electric stimulation, and traction devices that stretch the spine. They can also apply ultrasound to help reduce inflammation and heal damaged tissue.

Most patients experience immediate relief after an adjustment. They may experience some aching or soreness at the site of the adjustment, but this usually resolves in the first few hours following the treatment.

Before a spinal adjustment, the chiropractor will take a patient’s medical history and discuss their symptoms. They will also perform diagnostic tests like palpation, posture analysis, range of motion, and leg length measurement to identify areas that need adjusting.

Chiropractors will also use advanced imaging tests such as X-rays and MRIs to determine what is wrong with the spine. Once the diagnosis is made, a treatment plan will be created to restore proper motion and realign the spine to decrease pain and improve the patient’s health over time.

The most common type of chiropractic adjustment is referred to as a “spinal manipulation” or “chiropractic adjustment.” It involves a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust or pressure to correct the vertebral subluxation.

This process is performed on the affected joint with the practitioner’s hand, often on a padded table or an adjustable platform. This is done in a supine position, where the patient lies flat on their back.

Posture evaluations are a vital part of chiropractic assessment, as they can identify structural issues that may be contributing to musculoskeletal pain. Whether you’re suffering from back pain, shoulder and hip problems, or swelling of the Achilles tendon, posture evaluations can help uncover the root cause of your condition so that you can receive the proper treatment and care.

There are a variety of posture evaluation methods that chiropractors use to analyze their patients’ postures and determine if they need adjustments. Some of these methods include manual muscle testing, visual observation, and computerized software and grids.

Manual muscle testing is an important part of posture evaluation as it allows the clinician to test muscles for atrophy, misalignment, overstretching, or constriction and shortening. This helps the therapist identify areas that are weak or hypertonic and will assist in determining which specific muscles should be targeted for rehabilitation.

Another posture assessment method is a photogrammetric technique that involves taking photographs of the patient’s body from various angles. These photos are then transferred to a computer and used to calculate the patient’s postural alignment.

This is a more accurate method of evaluating posture than the traditional video examination, which can lead to inaccurate results. It also requires a significant amount of time and training to learn how to use this technology effectively, which may prevent its widespread adoption by chiropractors.

Several studies have shown that these technologies can be helpful in diagnosing certain postural conditions, including spinal arthritis. They can also help identify scoliosis, kyphosis, and other structural imbalances.

The goal of a postural evaluation is to assess the patient’s posture from all frontal, side, and lateral views of their bodies. The therapist should look for alignment as well as the overall postural type (e.g., flat back, swayback, or normal).

For example, a swayback is when the spine curves inward and the hips lean forward. This is a common problem that can lead to lower back pain.

These posture evaluations can be performed by physical therapists, physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals. Typically, these assessments are performed free of charge. The purpose of this is to make sure that patients understand the importance of good posture and how it can benefit their health.