6 Things You Need to Know About
Too many people feel like they have no control over their medical care. In the last decade, Americans have seen the effects of a healthcare system that is over-reliant on pharmaceuticals and treats patients like customers.
Between 1998 and 2018, almost 450,000 people died from opioid overdoses. Nowadays, informed patients are searching for more personalized treatment options. Patients want holistic care that will heal underlying issues, not mask them. In recent years, new data has shown that chiropractic is effective in treating many ailments.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical approach to treating illness.
Our spines house the central nervous system – the network of nerves that controls our bodies. From time to time, the bones in the spine can shift out of place. This puts pressure on nerves. Strain on the nervous system can lead to pain throughout the body and disruptions in many organ functions.
A chiropractic physician aids patients by manipulating the spine, and therefore, the central nervous system. The hallmark treatment is “spinal manipulation,” or “chiropractic adjustment.” This therapy is often stereotyped as cracking necks or popping joints.
The reality is often much milder. In some instances, a chiropractic visit may resemble a massage. Other therapies like ultrasound and electrotherapy are similarly gentle.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help You
Chiropractic care is effective on the entire body but can be especially useful in treating the following:
- Back and Neck Pain
Back and neck problems are probably the ailment most associated with chiropractic care. Most people know to contact a chiropractor following a car accident or major injury. But repetitive stress from daily activities can lead to discomfort and even acute pain.
Office chairs generally do not offer proper lumbar support, and many people are unaware that their keyboard and screen positioning put undue strain on the spine. Over time, this can lead to subluxation or even herniated disc. Standing desks can mitigate some of these issues but cannot reverse the sedentary nature of office work.
Other laborers (like factory line workers and postal deliverers) suffer from pain due to prolonged standing and lifting. Manual therapies are proven to be effective in relieving the back and pain common among workers. Periodic adjustments are like a multivitamin for the spine.
- Arthritis
“Arthritis” means “joint inflammation” and is often used to describe rheumatic diseases. Osteoarthritis, rheumatic arthritis, gout, and fibromyalgia fall into this category. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States and affects more than 54 million people. Symptoms include swollen joints, stiffness that lasts over 30 minutes after resting, and symmetrical pain (if the right hand is affected, so is the left). At Rush Chiropractic, our chiropractic physicians reduce inflammation by combining manual therapy with individualized exercise and nutritional plans. - Migraines
Anyone who suffers from migraines will tell you that they are much more than a run-of-the-mill tension headache. Symptoms include nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and throbbing pain. Ibuprofen usually cannot dull the sensations, and they can last hours – or even days. Doctors don’t know what causes migraines, so treating them is difficult. However, many patients find relief through chiropractic care. An Australian study found that after two months of manual therapy, 22% of patients saw a 90% reduction in migraines. 50% of remaining participants experienced a reduction in the length and severity of their episodes. Matthew Kowalski, DC, of the Osher Clinical Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, recommends his patients try at least 6 sessions before they pass judgment on this treatment. He also recommends his patients incorporate stretches and lifestyle modifications to complement their chiropractic care. - Sports Injuries
Athletes and dancers face an increased risk of injury compared to the rest of the population. Whether amateur or professional, being sidelined due to injury is frustrating and demoralizing. In recent years, studies have shown that chiropractic care is an effective way to heal many common sports injuries. Spinal manipulation can be useful for a football player who took a bad tackle, as well as a ballet dancer who experiences subluxation due to repetitive stress. Other tools in the chiropractors’ toolbox include cold laser, which penetrates to deep tissue and reduces inflammation, and infrared sauna, which uses controlled heat to improve circulation. A chiropractor can combine therapies and help an athlete return to the field as quickly as possible. - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most expensive of all work-related injuries. The average carpal tunnel patient loses about $30,000 in medical bills and missed work over their lifetime.CTS primarily affects a person’s dominant hand, and women are 3 times more likely to develop the disorder. The meridian nerve travels from the forearm through the hand, and it can become compressed inside the carpal tunnel. This leads to pain, numbness, and weakness that travels up the arm from the hand. A chiropractic physician can help to diagnose and treat this frustrating condition. - Your Disposition
The effects of persistent pain can be debilitating, and invisible ailments can be difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, many GPs are unequipped to treat pain except with pharmaceuticals. Worse, many patients have their pain downplayed by their doctors. Women, especially, report that their doctors ignore their distress.
This can lead to anxiety and depression. Chiropractors are adept at treating pain, which can provide relief to patients who have been dismissed by past providers. Proper pain management leads to improved sleep, increased energy, and better overall mood. Lifting the cloud of persistent pain doesn’t just make your body feel better; it makes your mind feel better.
What Chiropractic Care Can’t Do
Chiropractic care is not a panacea. Practices that claim to treat asthma, cancer, autism spectrum disorder, or gastrointestinal disorders are (at best) overstating their powers. At worst, they can worsen a patient’s condition.
When searching for a new chiropractor, notice the claims they make on their website. Physicians who embellish the efficacy of their practice should not be trusted.
A spinal adjustment will not cure cancer, but it could release you from pain that has been holding you back.
If you live in Pembroke Pines and suffer from any of these conditions, you should book a consultation and see how Rush Chiropractic and Rehab can improve your quality of life.
Dr. Rush is a 1994 graduate of the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Sports Science and Wellness.
Dr. Rush earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in 2000 where he was honored with magna cum laude. Dr. Rush was born and raised in South Florida where he returned after graduation. He currently practices in Pembroke Pines where he owns and operates Rush Chiropractic and Rehab.
