Chiropractor
A chiropractor is a doctor who diagnoses musculoskeletal diseases and treats them by means of their own hands on the patient's body.
A chiropractor is a specialist who, in his work, uses the latest diagnostic and treatment methods, combines them with apparatus methods of therapy, massage, physiotherapy, and physical therapy. As a result, it is possible to achieve a lasting result even with such complex diseases as: intervertebral hernia, arthrosis of the joints, scoliosis, vegetative-vascular dystonia, osteochondrosis, curvature of the spinal column and its other pathologies.
The musculoskeletal system and internal organs of a person are most often treated. Manual therapy is inextricably linked with neurology, orthopedics, vertebral neurology, sports medicine and other branches of official medicine.
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Content:
- Pros of manual therapy
- What does a chiropractor do?
- What diseases does a chiropractor treat?
- When should you see a chiropractor?
- How is a chiropractor appointment going?
- Making an appointment with a chiropractor
Pros of manual therapy
Before proceeding with the implementation of therapeutic methods, the specialist will perform a full diagnosis and only after that will select an individual recovery course.
The advantage of being treated by a chiropractor is that there is no need to use drugs. In addition, manual therapy is sometimes able to help people in the event that even conservative treatment is completely ineffective.
A manual therapy session is sometimes enough to make the patient feel better. Already after the first impact on the body, blood circulation improves, muscles are toned, tissue trophism increases and metabolism is accelerated. Of course, one session to get rid of the pathology will not be enough, it may take 15 or 20 visits to the specialist's office. However, it will be necessary to complete the course completely if the treatment at the initial stages gives noticeable results.
What does a chiropractor do?
The chiropractor knows the functional capabilities of the body and human physiology. He builds his technique taking into account not only the main disease of a person, but also taking into account his psychological state. The main goal of the specialist's therapeutic effect is to eliminate painful sensations, to compensate for the lost functions (spinal column, joints, internal organs).
The chiropractor's office is the place where the presence of problems with the musculoskeletal system, both congenital and acquired, is detected. Passing a full course of manual therapy can restore health not only to the spine and joints, but also to restore the work of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory, endocrine and systems, increase the blood supply to all organs, the brain, increase the body's resistance to infections, and improve psychological and emotional mood.
As for the specialty, the chiropractor can have a diploma of a neurologist or an orthopedist, after which he can receive an additional specialty in manual therapy.
The doctor makes a diagnosis not only on the basis of the patient's complaints, on examination and palpation, but also on additional examination results, for example, on the basis of X-ray images. During the treatment process, the doctor is obliged to monitor the patient's condition, monitor his health and the dynamics of the disease.
People of different ages seek help from a specialist, sometimes even babies are brought to the reception. Often there is a displacement of the cervical vertebrae during childbirth, congenital dislocation of the hip is another common problem in newborns. In order for these pathologies not to disrupt the quality of human life in the future, treatment should be started from the first months and even weeks of the child's life. The chiropractor has in his arsenal gentle techniques that are used in the treatment of children or the elderly.
Of course, it is impossible to save a patient from a spinal hernia without surgery. However, a chiropractor is able to help the patient get rid of pain - one of the leading symptoms of this disease. Therefore, another goal of manual therapy is the restoration of biomechanical processes at the site of injury.
Each chiropractor works according to the principle - "one disease entails disruption of the functioning of other systems", since the human body is a single whole. For example, a dislocation of the finger of the lower extremity will lead to disturbances in a person's gait, which will further develop into arthrosis of the hip joint (read also: causes, symptoms, degrees and treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint). Osteoarthritis will ultimately lead to disruption of the functioning of internal organs, to displacement of the vertebrae or to the formation of posture disorders, etc. Therefore, even a seemingly insignificant disease should be timely treated.
What diseases does a chiropractor treat?
The patient receives a referral for a consultation with a chiropractor from another doctor when he believes that the patient has an indication for this.
Some of the most common medical conditions faced by a chiropractor are:
- Migraine;
- Osteochondrosis, which can be expressed in the infringement of the sciatic nerve, in radiculitis, etc.;
- Periarthrosis of the shoulder-scapular;
- Poor posture;
- Lordosis;
- Kyphosis;
- Scoliosis;
- Intervertebral hernia;
- Vegetovascular dystonia;
- Hypertension;
- Vertebral artery syndrome.
In addition, a person can independently decide that he needs the advice of this specialist. The reason for treatment may be headaches that occur during head rotation, dizziness, pain in the chest and joints, stiffness of the joints or spine.
However, there are also contraindications for manual therapy. These include:
- Oncological diseases;
- Osteoporosis;
- Systemic diseases.
When should you see a chiropractor?
- A feeling of stiffness while breathing;
- Painful sensations in the lower back, chest or neck;
- Numbness of the upper and lower extremities, fingers on them;
- Headaches accompanied by dizziness;
- Memory problems, visual and hearing impairments;
- Painful sensations in the area of any joints;
- Pain when turning the head.
How is a chiropractor appointment going?
At the first consultation, the doctor will interview the patient about any complaints he has. The doctor must find out if the person has concomitant diseases, diseases of internal organs.
In addition, the results of past studies, if any, should be brought to the appointment:
- Neurologist's conclusion;
- X-ray images performed;
- MRI;
- CT of the spine.
When the doctor examines them, he will proceed to the examination. It is worth knowing that manual therapy has not only therapeutic, but also diagnostic methods. It is the latter that the doctor will use at the first appointment. The doctor without fail will probe the spinal column with his hands, determine its bends and deformities, determine the muscle tone, places of increased and decreased muscle tension. The doctor may ask the patient to take various positions (stand, sit, lie on his stomach, walk, etc.), while he himself will continue the examination at this time.
Types of palpation used by a chiropractor:
- Surface;
- Tick-borne;
- Deep;
- Sliding;
- Plucked.
Some of the techniques may resemble massage, however, the patient should not express their surprise, as this is the standard diagnostic technique for chiropractors.
When the examination is completed, the doctor will announce the conclusions regarding the patient's diagnosis and determine the need for him to undergo a course of treatment. Sometimes, in order to determine the specific methods and make the final decision on the need for therapy, the doctor sends the patient for additional diagnostics.
Additional diagnostic methods used by the chiropractor
- X-ray of the spinal column;
- CT scan;
- Spine MRI;
- AS;
- TANK;
- Electromyography.
In addition, the chiropractor himself can send the patient for a consultation with a neurologist or orthopedist.
After all the necessary data are received, the doctor will assess the available indications and contraindications and decide on the possibility of undergoing treatment. When a course is needed, a schedule of procedures is drawn up individually, their duration, frequency and number of sessions are determined.
