AmeriWell Chiropractic Care Benefits

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHIROPRACTIC DOCTOR

Find a vertebra out of position pressing on a nerve and gently move it back into position to relieve pain.

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system (especially the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body). “Chiropractic” comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning “effective treatment by hand.” Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of many disease processes begins with the body’s inability to adapt to its environment. It looks to address these diseases not by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body which is functioning improperly.

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The conditions which doctors of chiropractic address are as varied and as vast as the nervous system itself. At AmeriWell all of our chiropractors use a standard procedure of examination to diagnose a patient’s condition and arrive at a course of treatment. Doctors of chiropractic use the same time-honored methods of consultation, case history, physical examination, laboratory analysis and x-ray examination as any other doctor. In addition, they provide a careful chiropractic structural examination, paying particular attention to the spine.

The examination of the spine to evaluate structure and function is what makes our AmeriWell chiropractors different from other health care procedures. Your spinal column is a series of movable bones which begin at the base of your skull and end in the center of your hips. Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves extend down the spine from the brain and exit through a series of openings. The nerves leave the spine and form a complicated network which influences every living tissue in your body. Chiropractic also places an emphasis on nutritional and exercise programs, wellness and lifestyle modifications for promoting physical and mental health.

While chiropractors make no use of drugs or surgery, Doctors of chiropractic do refer patients for medical care when those interventions are indicated. In fact, chiropractors, medical doctors, physical therapists and other health care professionals now work as partners in occupational health, sports medicine, and a wide variety of other rehabilitation practices.

Accidents, falls, stress, tension, overexertion, and countless other factors can result in a displacements or derangements of the spinal column, causing irritation to spinal nerve roots. These irritations are often what cause malfunctions in the human body. Chiropractic teaches that reducing or eliminating this irritation to spinal nerves can cause your body to operate more efficiently and more comfortably.

If you are wondering about what the benefits of chiropractic care are, you can find out more information about the services available by visiting a chiropractor near you. Many patients have found that chiropractic treatment has given them relief from their pain and symptoms in just a brief amount of time. For many patients who have never tried chiropractic treatments before, they have experienced that the treatments are just as effective or even much more effective than other traditional options that they have tried, like prescription drugs. If you are looking for a natural and non-invasive treatment for your joint pain, chiropractic care could be the long-term solution that you need. Know the following benefits of chiropractic care that could be beneficial for you. 

Natural Treatments 

Chiropractors use only their hands or assistive devices to provide chiropractic treatments. For example, spinal adjustments involve applying pressure on the body to relieve joint pain and correct misalignment. There is nothing being injected into the body for treatment, so patients can feel comfort in knowing that their treatment program is all-natural. Chiropractors simply use their hands or other tools to target the affected area of the body and use hands-on techniques to reposition joints, soothe aching muscles, or relieve pressure that is pressing against joints or nerves. 

Reduced Risk

Patients who choose chiropractic care have a reduced risk of developing side effects or other health issues compared to patients who undergo other treatments. When patients take conventional treatments like prescription drugs or opt for surgery as treatment options, there is a greater risk that side effects can develop. Strong prescription medicine can result in organ damage, nausea, and other complications that can affect a patient’s health and wellbeing. Taking certain medications can also put one at risk of developing an addiction. Patients don’t have to worry about side effects when they opt for chiropractic care. 

Non-Invasive Treatments

Other traditional treatments for chronic or acute joint pain affecting your knees, back or other parts of your body may involve cutting into the body to eliminate the pain. Surgical procedures can cost thousands of dollars and it can result in side effects that can make your condition work. There is also no guarantee that surgery will be effective in getting rid of the pain and improving your joint function. One of the benefits of chiropractic care is that no surgery is required, so it is a non-invasive option that is suitable for many people who are at higher risk of experiencing complications from surgery. 

When you are considering alternatives to standard treatments for your joint or muscle pain, you may want to learn more about chiropractic care and discover the many benefits it offers. When you first explore joint pain relief that is natural and non-invasive, you can go through your treatments much more smoothly without physical or financial stress. Schedule an appointment with a trusted chiropractor in your area and learn more about the benefits of chiropractic care so that you can get started.

Chiropractic Care FAQs

If you’re interested in the chiropractic care benefits that you could experience by working with Ameriwell Clinics but you’re hesitant to invest your time, effort, and resources into pursuing chiropractic care, you may want to ask yourself what is holding you back. Do you have questions that our staff could answer or concerns that we could clarify?

We often witness that once patients who are on the fence about trying chiropractic care feel much more confident about exploring this treatment option once they’ve been given the opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns. Please know that we’d be more than happy to provide you with personalized feedback about the chiropractic care process and how we’d apply our knowledge and skills to your situation uniquely.

As you’re gathering your energy to give our office a call in order to receive personalized guidance, consider browsing the answers to some of our clients’ frequently asked questions noted below. These answers may give you a more general sense of what to expect before you benefit from answers tailored to your unique concerns.

What Is a Chiropractor?

Chiropractors are medical professionals who are licensed to provide chiropractic care. While they are not medical doctors, the chiropractic licensure process helps to ensure that these professionals are fully capable to provide safe and effective chiropractic care.

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic treatment concerns challenges related to an individual’s musculoskeletal system. Although manipulations – commonly referred to as “adjustments” – are among the most widely utilized chiropractic techniques, there are a host of others that may be used to address a patient’s challenges.

Who Can Benefit from Chiropractic Services?

Virtually anyone – from infants to older adults – may experience significant chiropractic care benefits from seeking treatment at our facilities. There is a common misconception that chiropractic care primarily benefits car accident victims who have experienced neck, back, and shoulder trauma. While it’s true that chiropractic treatment does benefit these individuals, there a host of reasons why people of all ages benefit from chiropractic treatment.

Who Shouldn’t Seek Chiropractic Care?

If a member of your medical care team has advised you against seeking chiropractic care at this point in your wellness journey, they likely have a good reason for extending this guidance. As chiropractic care is beneficial for virtually everyone, it is only under rare circumstances that this advice would be given. With that said, if you’d like a second opinion and/or feedback about whether chiropractic care may be a good option for you, please reach out to Ameriwell Clinics for assistance at any time.

How Should I Dress for My Appointment?

It is generally a good idea to dress comfortably for your chiropractic appointments, simply because your practitioner may utilize a technique that you haven’t experienced before and you may feel more comfortable engaging in your treatment if you’re comfortable. There are many chiropractic care benefits associated with the treatments we provide and less stress is one of them. You can embrace that potential from the moment that you slip on comfortable clothes in anticipation of your appointment in recognition of the fact that you’re about to experience genuine self care.

What natural remedies are available for back pain?

As a Falls Church, VA chiropractor from AmeriWell Clinics can review with patients, chiropractic adjustments and other techniques can reduce acute and chronic conditions related to back pain. Chiropractic clinics, like ours, provide natural remedies that alleviate inflammation, aid the healing process, and improve range of motion. Examples of treatments that are available in addition to spinal adjustments include massage therapy, disc decompression, posture correction, home exercise, rehabilitation, physical therapy, electrotherapy, cryotherapy, mechanical traction, and moist heat therapy.

My doctor said I need back surgery, is that true?

At our clinic, we have seen how back surgery may fail a patient by not removing the actual source of pain. In some cases, back surgery can create more serious problems than what was the issue to begin with. While we know that back surgery can be life-changing for the better for many people, this is not the case for everyone. We encourage people to at least try chiropractic care before undergoing back surgery. If this is a question you are asking yourself, consider reaching out so that we can learn more about the back pain you have and whether chiropractic care is a realistic treatment option. 

How can I prevent back pain in the future?

The key to warding off back pain is by maintaining a strong spinal alignment. The spine is responsible for sending messages to the brain and throughout the body. When the spinal vertebrae are not in alignment either due to injury or illness, it can impede communication between all the systems in the body. Each spinal structure has a place it is supposed to rest in, and when that gets compromised, incorrect placement can result in mood irritability, pain at the subluxation, hindered nerve flow, and swelling. This can cause pain and nerve signals to get confused and affect daily functions. 

Is it bad to rely on medication for back pain?

Similar to surgery, medication should be seen as a last effort to address your back pain. Medications can contain chemicals that are harmful to the body, especially when taken for the long-term. By relying on medications, it blankets the real issue and doesn’t treat the underlying problem. Masking symptoms is not treatment. Medication won’t cure your back pain, it just makes you numb to feeling it. Considering the rise of opioid dependency and overdose, the use of pain medication can be dangerous, and must only be used in situations that warrant immediate relief and when reliable treatment options will be sought shortly thereafter. 

Why does one area of my back hurt more than others?

When one area of your doesn’t feel well, it can impact other areas nearby too. By having a chiropractor identify the underlying source of your pain, it will uncover why certain parts of the back hurt more compared to others. But generally, the mobile areas of your spine tend to carry more pressure, making them vulnerable to injury, illness, or pain. The cervical spine (and neck) carry the weight of the skull, and the lumbar spine (lower back) is where we apply most of the stress from our weight. Changes in weight, poor posture, improper lifting, and emotional stress can misalign or irritate the structures of the back. And the thoracic spine (middle back) tends to carry the least weight and due to its inherent limited mobility within the body, is least likely to sustain injury. 

For more information about how AmeriWell Clinics can help address your back pain, contact a Falls Church chiropractor as soon as you can!