Benefits of and Important Reasons for Regular Adjustments

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People see a chiropractor for many different reasons, including treatment for physical trauma sustained in a car accident, managing pain conditions (i.e. scoliosis), and more remote health problems. The frequency of your adjustments will vary depending on your state of health and the reason you visit a chiropractor, in addition to the practitioner’s approach to treatments. However, everyone can benefit from a consistent treatment schedule–there are some important reasons for regular adjustments.

Reduce Chronic Pain

According to the American Chiropractic Association, 31 million Americans suffer from low back pain. Chiropractic treatments are most effective at treating the back and joints for wellness and pain management, so that after an extended period of ongoing treatments, we can re-establish the body’s equilibrium and stimulate a natural healing process to reduce chronic pain.

[Related: What Do Normal Spine Curve and Alignment Look Like?]

Improve Immunity

Although it may not seem to relate, regular adjustments can actually be an immunity booster! Several studies have been completed that show–and patients often report–fewer colds and flus after repeated chiropractic adjustments. In one study, a doctor at New York’s Preventive Medicine Institute found that patients who receive long term chiropractic care have a 200% stronger immune system than those who had not received regular chiropractic adjustments.

Energy Boost

After you’ve been receiving chiropractic treatments consistently for a long time, you will likely notice reduced fatigue and more energy. What’s more, long-term chiropractic care has been shown to improve the quality of sleep for both children and adults. Better sleep leads to more restfulness and energy when you wake up.

Emotional Benefit

The body is incredibly interconnected, and the spine is the root of it all. Ongoing, long-term chiropractic care has been shown to positively affect more than just your posture and spinal alignment; even improving your hormone balance. If you suffer from anxiety and/or depression, regular adjustments will help to reduce the ‘bad’ hormones such as cortisol, while increasing hormones that improve your mood, like dopamine.

Injury Prevention

With the spine in alignment, athletes and fitness professionals can appreciate the benefit of injury prevention. Chiropractic adjustments help maintain overall wellness and range of motion, preventing some injuries that come with an active lifestyle, such as strains or over-extension.

Contact Spencer Chiropractic Center today to discuss how regular adjustments could benefit your lifestyle!

Featured photo source: Pixabay.com

Identifying Back Pain from Car Accidents

Maybe your spine and your car were just never meant to get along. The statistics for auto accidents and spinal injuries are alarming. Back pain from car accidents or long car trips (perhaps even worse with the trend of Seattle traffic) is a common enough problem for car manufacturers to consider the spine in their newest car customizations and features. What is it about driving that’s so toxic to the spine?

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How Auto Accidents Cause Back Pain

There are several back injuries that can result from an auto accident–some much more serious than others. Only a medical professional can diagnose a back injury from a car accident for sure, but knowing a bit about each can help you make steps to prevent auto-related back injuries in the future.

Spinal Fracture

Serious, potential emergency

Caused by: often the result of the upper body being thrown forward while the lower body remains in place–e.g. loose seat belt.

While complex, the spine is a fragile structure, and prone to damage during even seemingly minor accidents. People between the ages of 16-30 are at the highest risk of suffering an SCI, otherwise known as a “spinal cord injury.” The AANS estimates that auto accidents are the leading cause of the around 11,000 injuries each year in the U.S., followed by falls and gunshots.

Whiplash

Usually not serious, may require treatment

Caused by: many auto accidents that cause injuries cause whiplash. Soft tissues, muscles, and ligaments can all be strained during an accident

One problem with whiplash is that you may not feel symptoms for more than 24 hours after the initial accident. While whiplash is infamously associated with cervical collars, the current method of treatment is often no more complicated than pain relief medication, simple exercises, and massage. More serious cases may require ultrasound or injections.

Disc Herniation

Moderately serious, often requires treatment

Caused by: the nature of an auto accident can over-extend the spinal discs’ natural ability to absorb impact.

Like whiplash, symptoms can be delayed or nonexistent, but a disc herniation from an auto accident can range in severity. Leg or arm pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness are all sometimes present with a herniated disc. Not every herniation requires medical treatment, but the condition must be diagnosed and treated by a health professional, possibly with surgery, therapy, and/or medication.

Contact Spencer Chiropractic Center today for a consultation or tips on how to recover from injuries sustained during auto accidents.