If you've ever considered chiropractic treatment in Lithia Springs but decided against it, it's most likely due to safety concerns.
You've probably asked around to see if anyone you know has been treated by a chiropractor, or you've done some online research and come up with conflicting results. The Mayo Clinic, the American Medical Association, and other reputable medical institutions have recognized chiropractic care as a safe and effective treatment option.
Chiropractic care is an excellent alternative to opiates and invasive therapies like surgery for those suffering from back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and various other medical conditions.When administered by a licensed and accomplished practitioner, chiropractic manipulation is safe for pain relief and has few negative side effects. Keep in mind, however, that no single treatment is right for everyone.
The article below will look into the pros and cons of chiropractic care in Lithia Springs, GA.
Table Of Contents:
- How Safe Is Chiropractic Therapy?
- Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments
- What Are the Risks of Chiropractic Care in Lithia Springs?
- Science Supporting Chiropractic Care
- Contact Arrowhead Clinic In Lithia Springs, GA
How Safe Is Chiropractic Therapy?
During spinal manipulation, there is a one in a million chance that a patient will have a major adverse reaction. Patients who visit a healthcare professional for back pain and are prescribed pain relievers are actually at a higher risk. Prescription medicines and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) statistically have more severe side effects.
Shortly after receiving chiropractic treatment, some people may experience muscle discomfort and stiffness. Soreness is a common occurrence, and it's similar to the pain you might experience after a strenuous workout. In the majority of cases, the discomfort will subside within 24 to 48 hours.
Chiropractors will go over your medical history and any pre-existing conditions with you. Your chiropractor could adjust your treatment plan, depending on your medical history.
Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments
Many people go to a chiropractor to get relief from pain in their back, neck, knees, and shoulders. While cervical spine manipulation and other adjustment methods are effective in reducing pain, they aren't the only benefit of visiting a chiropractor.
Here are just a few of the benefits you stand to gain when you use manipulative therapy:
- Less Stress
- Better Sleep
- Increased Joint Mobility and Less Joint Pain
- Improved Mood
- Better Digestion
- Less Nasal Congestion
- Improved Athletic Performance
- Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion
- Pain Relief
- A Boosted Immune System
- Improved Blood Circulation
People generally seek out chiropractic medical treatment after:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Sciatica
- Numbness or Tingling in the Hands and Feet
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Sports Injuries
- Workplace Injuries
- Chronic Low-Back Pain
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Slip and Fall Accidents
Even if they aren't experiencing symptoms, some patients receive chiropractic procedures on a regular basis as preventative healthcare.
What Are the Risks of Chiropractic Care in Lithia Springs?
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, drug-free alternative to medication and surgery. Chiropractic adjustments, which are physical manipulations of the spine, are used by chiropractors to treat pain and injuries more safely.
Chiropractors use their hands, as well as activator tools for more precision, to adjust the spine. The goal of spinal adjustments is to help the body perform at its best by improving the alignment and range of motion of the spine.
Chiropractors will occasionally use more force when performing spinal manipulation. This is all dependent on the severity of your injuries as well as your current health.
Doctors of Chiropractic undergo years of schooling and are required to be licensed before they can work with chiropractic patients. They must complete 4,620 total educational hours to get their degrees. That's almost 1,000 hours more than a Doctor of Physical Therapy and only 200 hours less than a Medical Doctor.
There are numerous precautions and safety measures in place to ensure that any adverse effects are avoided. When performed by a licensed and trained chiropractic expert, the negative effects associated with chiropractic care are rare. Chiropractic adjustments are generally safe for treating back pain, neck pain, and headaches by manipulating the vertebrae.
Complications can include worsening a slipped or herniated disc, spinal nerve compression, and in rare cases, stroke. This type of stroke is caused by an arterial injury or vertebral artery dissection (artery tear) that can occur after manipulation to the neck.
A stroke is an infrequent occurrence. Patients with pre-existing illnesses like severe osteoporosis, spine cancer, and abnormal bone structure abnormalities are more likely to sustain these injuries, all of which are risk factors for stroke. Before beginning spinal manipulation, consult with your chiropractor if you have any of these risk factors.
By discussing your concerns with your chiropractor, they will be able to adjust their treatment plan. You want your chiropractor to be aware of any potential risks or the possibility that your condition will worsen as a result of chiropractic manipulation. When visiting a chiropractor for treatment, be open and honest about your current and previous medical conditions.
Science Supporting Chiropractic Care
Several clinical trials have helped to prove the effectiveness of chiropractic care for those who require scientific proof.
Many excellent studies supporting chiropractic care have been published by the National Library of Medicine. In 2018, a review on spinal manipulation and mobilization was published. The 17-year study looked at how chiropractic treatments affected chronic lower back pain. The authors concluded that chiropractic methods for pain management were "viable" options.
In another study, doctors in Ontario, Canada, integrated chiropractic services into chronic pain management from January 2014 to December 2020. Chiropractic treatments were linked to better clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, as well as fewer physician visits, advanced imaging, specialist referrals, and opioid prescription medications.
These findings are encouraging, but researchers agree that more research is needed to determine the best time and frequency for spinal manipulation, as well as to determine which injuries may benefit from specific therapies.
Contact Arrowhead Clinic in Lithia Springs, GA
Arrowhead Clinic has provided safe and effective chiropractic treatments to their communities for more than 40 years.
Dr. Calvin Erhabor, from our Lithia Springs office, graduated with a Bachelors of Biological Sciences from Alcon State University in 2007. Dr. Erhabor also received his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from the prestigious Life University in 2012.
Life University is widely recognized throughout the world as a top chiropractic institution and regularly has the highest National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam scores in the nation.
If you live in or around Lithia Springs, Georgia, and are ready to receive safe chiropractic treatments, click the link below to schedule your free chiropractic consultation.
