Every year, more than 35 million Americans seek treatment from a chiropractor for relief from pain, numbness and tingling, and headaches. Chiropractors are known to help with everything from back pain to headaches.
Although there are risks, chiropractic care is generally safe when chiropractors are correctly trained and licensed.
Here’s how chiropractic treatment can help you, as well as some risks to be aware of before scheduling an appointment.
Significantly Reduce Neck and Back Pain
Relief from neck and back pain is one of the most well-known benefits of chiropractic care.
An adjustment from a chiropractor can be a highly effective, non-invasive way to relieve muscle pain. The treatment is also more affordable than other types of back pain management.
Reduce Inflammation and Blood Pressure
Chiropractic adjustments help reduce inflammation, which reduces muscle tension and relieves joint pain.
In addition, a study in the Human Journal of Hypertension showed that a chiropractic adjustment could help reduce high blood pressure the same way taking certain high blood pressure medications can.
Headache Relief
Back pain and spinal issues can cause both tension and migraine headaches. This occurs due to back misalignment, which brings on muscle tension and pain, which can cause tension and migraine headaches.
More than 200 studies examining the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments for headache relief have been conducted.
Herniated Disks or Pinched Nerves
In rare cases, a herniated disk or a pinched nerve can occur following a chiropractic adjustment.
Complications are more likely to occur when an unlicensed individual performs your treatment. You should only seek chiropractic treatment from a licensed professional chiropractor.
Low Risk for Stroke
Although very rare, high-velocity neck adjustments have resulted in vertebral artery dissection in some people, which lead to a stroke.
In 2014, the American Heart Association sent out a statement warning people of the increased risk of stroke following a neck adjustment performed by a chiropractor or osteopathic doctor.
Not all chiropractors are alike. There are traditional chiropractors, symptom relief chiropractors, and others like the chiropractors at Launchfit, who specialize in sports fitness.
If the chiropractor is properly trained and licensed, chiropractic care can be a safe and effective way to improve your health by non-invasive means.