Question:  What types of conditions can chiropractors treat?

Answer:  A wide range.  Many are actually surprised to hear that chiropractors treat more than just back pain.  This is a common misconception.  In actuality, they treat a wide range of medical conditions that result in pain, discomfort, and decreased mobility.  They typically treat neuromusculosketal complaints and joint pains in the entire body.

Question:  What types of treatments are offered in chiropractic care?

Answer:  Many.  Although many procedures are performed, two are common.  They are adjustments and therapeutic massages.  One mistake that many make is believing that they can perform these procedures at home; it is very risky.  A chiropractic adjustment is a fine practice that only a few know how to master.  Yes, only the hands are used, but precision force is required.  The hands manipulate joints to enhance function, improve mobility, and reduce pain.  These joints are important to mobility.  One wrong move and a person can land themselves in a world of pain.

Question:  Is chiropractic care safe?

Answer:  Yes.  Many are surprised to learn just how safe chiropractic care is.  It is actually a lot safer than most traditional forms of medicine.  Chiropractors do not prescribe medication.  They cannot, but most would not anyways.  This is because they believe in natural relief.  They also aim for more than just temporary relief, but a permanent solution to the problem.  Most primary care physicians mask pain with over-the-counter or prescribed pain pills.  This temporarily stops pain, but it will return.  On the other hand, chiropractors target the source of the pain and fix it.  So, not only is chiropractic care safe, but you get better, longer lasting results.

Question:  Do you need a referral before seeing a chiropractor?

Answer:  You shouldn’t.  Many insurance providers do require referrals for specialists, such as surgeons.  Although chiropractors do have a specialty, which is natural manual therapy, they are not legally classified as specialists.  All states classify them as contact physicians.  This means your insurance provider should not require you to have a referral.  In fact, chiropractors provide referrals.  In cases that they cannot treat, such as a neck fracture, the patient is referred to a qualified surgeon.

Question:  Does chiropractic care hurt?

Answer:  It shouldn’t.  If you opt for a certified chiropractor who performs all procedures correctly it should not hurt.  The only exception is with a therapeutic massage.  If you suffer from arthritis, your joints already hurt.  The first couple of touches may result in some discomfort, but that will soon disappear.  As for adjustments, they should not hurt.  Although chiropractors advise against cracking our knuckles, we have all done it.  It is similar.  You may hear a popping sound, but will feel no pain.

Question:  How do I find a chiropractor?

Answer:  You have many options.  It is easier to turn to your local phone book.  In the yellow pages or the business directory, look under the headings of “physicians,” or “chiropractic care.”  The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) allows you to search for doctors of chiropractic (D.C.) on their website, located at AmerChiro.org.

Question:  Does insurance cover chiropractic care?

Answer:  It depends on your insurance company and the coverage plan you selected.  A growing number of insurance providers are extending coverage for chiropractic care.  Some are doing so at the suggestion of employers and employees.  Those in physically demanding professions, such as construction and mail delivery, can benefit from having easy and affordable access to care.

Question:  What about those who do not have health insurance?

Answer:  If you do not have health insurance, do not avoid seeking chiropractic care.  Instead, find a care provider who is willing to work with you.  Some will develop affordable payment plans.  Some chiropractors also accept credit cards as payment.  Although the costs increase with late fees and interest rates, it may be your only way to seek relief.

Why should you seek chiropractic care after a car accident?   For starters, chiropractors do not just try to hide the problem of pain with medication.  They do not use it.  Instead, they rely on manual therapy.  For pain that will subside overtime, therapeutic massages are best.  For spinal or joint injuries, adjustments are best.  Whatever the treatment, manual therapy is used.  It involves the hands.  To make a proper diagnosis after a serious car accident, an MRI, sonogram, or x-ray may be used.

Another reason why you should seek chiropractic care after a car accident is to prevent later complications.  Not all injuries result in pain.  Some are just minor enough that there is no pain.  That does not mean something didn’t happen to the body, your muscles, joints, or spine.  Chiropractors will examine the body and they can determine if anything is even slightly wrong or out of place.  Treatment will ensure.  Primary care physicians tend to wait until pain is a symptom before taking action.

You now know the benefits of seeking chiropractic care after a car accident, so what should you do?  Schedule an appointment.  You may first want to speak with your car insurance provider or the at-fault driver.  Most car insurance claims cover medical treatment sought because of an accident.  You do not need to wait.  Most insurance providers extend coverage to chiropractic care.  They are legally classified as contact physicians by the federal government.  All insurance companies should accept the treatment and diagnosis of a chiropractor, if not keep on pushing.

Since you should not wait for approval to see a chiropractor, familiarize yourself with your local options.  You can do so by using your local phone book or the internet.  When using the internet, perform a standard internet search with the phrase “chiropractor,” and your city and state.  You will be linked to the websites of local providers in your area.  You can use these to examine rates, get a feel for the professional, and see pictures of their office.  Once you find a chiropractor you like, schedule an appointment.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to get an immediate appointment.  This is because chiropractic care is increasing in popularity; there is a high demand.  Some have a waiting list.  When making your appointment, state you were in a serious car accident.  Some schedulers may be willing to squeeze you in or contact you in the event of a late cancellation.

If seeking care immediately following a car accident, you may need to wait to file a claim.  If the chiropractor requires immediate payment, pay or give your health insurance information.  The rest can be worked out later.  For now, it is important to seek treatment for any pain or discomfort you are feeling.  Care should always come first.

With good posture.  Poor posture is the leading cause of back and neck pain.  It is important to sit up straight, but vital when sitting at a desk or computer eight hours a day.  If you have slouched for years, still visit a chiropractor.  They can see if any damage has been done and fix it.  Then, work on correcting your posture.  Each time you find yourself slouching, sit up straight.

With good exercise habits.  Those who want to lose weight, rely heavily on exercise to achieve their goal.  Unfortunately, many make costly mistakes.  These mistakes include overdoing it and poor exercise habits.  Lifting weights is good for building muscle strength, but it is easy to damage the back, spine, and other joints.  Hold all weight right and choose a low weight.  Never overdo it.  Stop exercising when tired.

With ideal weight.  Not only should you exercise, but eat healthy too. When combined these should result in weight loss or the maintaining of a healthy body weight.  Those who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk of back pain, neck pain, and knee pain.  The body can carry around excess weight, but it isn’t healthy.  Lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, and you eliminate the need for chiropractic care.

With good stretching habits.  Everyone should stretch.  It is important to stretch before any strenuous activity, but some can benefit from regular stretching.  Those with rheumatoid arthritis can seek relief pain relief and reduce the risk of stiffness and deformities.  Stretching can promote healthy joints and muscles, which should reduce the need for a chiropractor.

With good sleeping habits.  A lot of focus is placed on our activities during the day, but how you sleep can also bring on pain and the need for a chiropractor.  For starters, always sleep on a bed.  It is easy to fall asleep on a couch or in a recliner when watching television, but prolonged sleep in this position can lead to pain.  A good mattress is also important.  Even if on a budget, a good, quality mattress is a wise investment.

With good lifting habits.  We all lift things.  Whether it be boxes when moving, grocery bags from shopping, or when shoveling snow, we all do it.  Most people do not lift properly.  Yes, it is easier to lift with your arms and elbows, but this places a strain on all joints.  The spice, back, and neck are susceptible to pain.  Instead, lift with your entire body.  Bend your knees and keep your back straight.  Never carry loads that are too heavy.

As you can see, there are many ways to reduce or eliminate the need for a chiropractor.  What are you waiting for?  Get started now.  But, if you are getting a late start in life, see a chiropractor first.  Ensure all joints and the spine are in tact and properly.  Then, get started.

1 – You May Have an Injury and Not Know It

Most individuals mistakenly believe that they will be in pain if they have an injury.  This is not always true.  Damage to the body, muscles, joints, and spine typically hurts, but there are no guarantees.  Some damage is just minor enough that there is no pain.  However, a smaller injury or just time can lead to aggravation and then pain.  Why not prevent this from happening? You can with chiropractic care.

After a car accident, a chiropractor will meet with you.  They will gather your medical history, perform a quick physical exam, and ask questions about your car accident.  They will diagnose any problems and decide on a course of treatment.  This treatment can include joint adjustments or therapeutic massages to relieve pain that will go away on its own overtime.

2 – It Is Less Invasive

With chiropractic care, surgery is a last resort.  Even then, you are referred to a specialty surgeon.  No surgical tools or invasive medical procedures are needed for treatment.  Chiropractors rely on manual therapy, which is therapy of the hands.  As previously stated, a joint adjustment may be necessarily to properly realign a joint.  This is done with precision force of the hands.  There is no cutting of the skin or drawing of blood.

After a car accident, many accident victims fear seeking medical treatment.  They worry about surgery or being loaded up on prescription medications that have many side effects. Although you may fear the hospital or your primary care physician, you have no reason to fear a chiropractor.  Although you are seeking medical care, a trip to the chiropractor may actually feel more like a trip the spa than a doctor’s visit.

3 – No Medications

As previously stated, chiropractic care involves the use of manual therapy.  This is 100% all natural.  If a chiropractor cannot see a patient right away, they may suggest the use of over-the-counter pain medications.  After treatment, they are no longer needed.  Pain relievers do provide relief, but that relief is short-lived and it only masks the problem.  Chiropractors want to eliminate your pain, but they do so by going directly to the source.

Whiplash victims may receive ongoing massages to treat the pain and discomfort.  Whiplash corrects itself overtime, but not all corrections are proper.  A patient who does not wear a neck brace or does not limit their activities can experience complications.  In these instances, neck adjustments or vertebrae realignment are preformed.  Once again, this is done with the hands and not with medications or surgical tools.

4 – It Is Safe

Although chiropractic care is 100% natural, is there is some concern about the force used in adjustments.  What if a chiropractor slips?  Will more damage occur?  These are legitimate questions, but you do not need to worry.  Chiropractors are medical professionals.  They are educated and trained as such.  Not anyone can be a chiropractor.  It requires training, education, the passing of many tests, and a state license.  If your chiropractor is a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), you can rest assure knowing you are safe in their hands.

Not only is chiropractor a safe form of healthcare, but it is ideal for individuals of all ages.  In fact, some parents bring their newborns in for examination following birth!  Yes, they really do and it is perfectly safe.  If your child is in the car with you during an accident, their primary care physician may prescribe pain medication.  It is very dangerous, especially for small children.  The 100% natural relief of chiropractic care is safe for individuals of all ages and even pregnant women.

5 – It Is Sometimes Covered by Insurance

Following a car accident, your focus may be on costs.  After all, your car is damaged.  You may have to pay for a new method of transportation, but now healthcare too.  As previously stated, some injuries are hard to spot immediately following an automobile accident.  Don’t wait to get diagnosed until after the incident and after all insurance claims have been filed.  Know now.

Luckily, many insurance providers extend coverage for chiropractic care.  Many realize that it can lower their operating costs.  The onetime cost of neck realignment is much cheaper than 10 years of prescribed pain medications or surgery.

As nice as it is to hear that chiropractic care is better than pain pills, you may be wondering why.  What proof is there?  Continue reading on for a detailed comparison.  In the end, you will see why chiropractic care is better.

Fixing the Problem

Pain medication does not fix a problem.  Yes, it does provide relief, but only short-term relief.  Pain medication only masks the problem.  It is still there.  As soon as your pain pills wear off, the pain is likely to return.  If you suffer from recurring headaches, it may be another day before the next headache returns, but it will.

Chiropractors fix the problem.  Yes, they want to treat your pain.  They just go about it differently.  They don’t want to mask the problem.  Instead, they treat it and by going directly to the source.  For many, this is the spine and connecting joints.  By treating the problem at the source, you will get relief, but that relief should be long-lasting, if not permanent.

Side Effects

Pain relievers are full of side effects.  This is particularly true with prescription pain relievers.  Takers can experience upset stomachs, drowsiness, nausea, and more.  Even the smallest side effects can negatively affect our lives.  How can you work if your pain pills make you drowsy?  It will be difficult, if not impossible.  Pain relief should improve your life, not create a whole new set of problems to deal with.

Chiropractic care is all natural.  It involves manual therapy.  This is therapy of the hands.  Temporary relief is sought with ongoing therapeutic massages.  Overtime, they can lead to long-term relief.  Another form of long-term relief is chiropractic adjustments or realignments.  For example, a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can get less pain and improved movement with finger joint adjustments.

Safety

As previously stated, most pain relievers, even over-the-counter pills, have side effects.  If it wasn’t bad enough, there are many other additional risks.  Certain medications can result in stomach ulcers and bleeding.  This is common with continued and prolonged use.  Some medications interact with others.  Pain medications are risky for children, the elderly, and pregnant or nursing mothers.  Still, people use them and doctors prescribe them. That however, does not mean they are safe.

Chiropractic care, as stated above, is natural.  There is no medication given.  The hands provide therapy.  Since there is no medication and no invasive medical procedures, it is safe.  In fact, chiropractic care is safe for individuals of all ages.  The old, young, and even pregnant and nursing women can seek relief through this natural form of healthcare.  All should, as it is safer.

Costs

With pain reliever, think long-term.  They only mask the problem, so it is likely to return.  This results in the consumption of more medication.  Not only is this risky, but very costly.  Even with insurance covering the cost of most prescription pain relievers, their costs add up over a period of time.

Many fear the cost of chiropractors.  For starters, insurance does cover the cost of most treatment.  Next, continued care is not required in all cases.  Your chiropractor may perform a neck adjustment, have you comeback for a follow-up appointment, and return again to show you helpful at-home techniques to reduce pain.  After that, you may be done.  Three appointments with a chiropractor, even if you pay out-of-pocket, are cheaper than years worth of pain pills.

In short, chiropractic care is not only safer, but cheaper, less invasive, and long-lasting.  So, the next time you find yourself reaching for pain relievers to treat you pain and discomfort, please stop.  Make an appointment with a local chiropractor.  You may be surprised how easy it is to seek long-lasting or permanent relief.