If you suffer from low back pain and/or sciatica, you may have heard a lot about chiropractic or osteopathy.
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is a discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractic is based on the belief that the same innate intelligence that can grow a single cell into a complex human being, made of billions of cells, can also heal the body if it is free of disturbance to the nervous system. Chiropractic is a controversial health-care system that has been legalized throughout the United States and in several other countries. It is a healing system that focuses on the structure of the body. Chiropractic is a conservative, holistic and low cost form of therapy It is much safer than most traditional medical treatments and has been shown to be effective for a number of conditions, but it has also met with scepticism and condemnation by the medical profession, with some claiming it is unscientific and carries no real health benefits. Chiropractic is good for all patients, because chiropractic care centres on spinal mechanics, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular and nutritional relationships. The philosophy of chiropractic is that health, not merely the absence of symptoms, comes from within the body, not from the outside.
Treatment
Treatment focuses mainly on the spine and associated joints, but also muscles, ligaments and tendons and the manipulation involved optimizes blood circulation. Treatment is tailored to suit the age, build, pain levels and general health of the individual. Your treatment schedules depend on whether a problem is acute (eg an injury) or chronic (eg asthma), and on your age and general health. Treatment itself focuses on joint manipulation and it's widely believed that this can also help disorders of the body’s internal organs by association with the nervous system. Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours. In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition Some hospitals now have back treatment centres that emphasize strengthening weak stomach musculature (a major cause of back problems) and improving the flexibility of the back.
Some risks to take into account
The potential for serious adverse effects from manipulation of the lower back is low but there have been serious complications such as a stroke or neck injury with manipulations of the neck. Some chiropractors overuse x-rays and these may be harmful if the full spine is involved.
Chiropractic was founded in 1895 and since that time has been the choice for millions of patients with a variety of health concerns who want safe and effective treatment without drugs or surgery. Doctors of chiropractic provide treatment without drugs or surgery. Interestingly enough, a study carried out in 1999 showed that chiropractic was as effective as conventional medical treatment in relieving low back pain and/or sciatica. It also required less medication and was overall a much less expensive option! If you want to consider other treatments before deciding what to do, visit the link below.
