Understanding the Chiropractic Adjustment

July 5, 2009

One of the biggest fears that stop many people from seeking chiropractic care is fear of the adjustment itself. Just about everyone has heard horror stories of loud noises and extreme pain when it comes to a chiropractic adjustment. We are here today to offer some insight into the true chiropractic experience and describe how your adjustment will go and what to expect. With understanding of the sounds you may hear and what you can do to make the experience less frightening and more beneficial, you can truly reap the rewards of allowing a professional to take care of your body in a holistic, safe way. Here is a brief look at what you can expect from a chiropractic adjustment and why this technique is used to reduce pain and improve mobility.

Let’s just start with the scariest part of a chiropractic adjustment for many people. Is it going to hurt? The short answer is no. Many people think that chiropractors use a great deal of force when they make adjustments to the spine and other joints. The truth is the technique is more about applying the correct amount of pressure and skill in determining how to coax the joint back into its correct alignment. If you are nervous about the adjustment you may tense up or tighten your muscles when the chiropractor makes the adjustment. In this case there may be slight discomfort. Once you learn to relax and trust you are doing the right thing for your health, things will go much more smoothly and you will begin to associate the adjustment with less pain and better health.

Once you have the pain concern out of the way, the other big fear is of the noise or popping associated with a chiropractic adjustment. Lots of people are afraid that those popping sounds are the bones cracking. It’s nothing as serious as all that. Think about cracking your knuckles. You often feel or hear a popping noise. It doesn’t mean that you just cracked or broke the bones of your hand. What actually occurred, just like in an adjustment, is gas pockets escaping from the joint. There is no pain to be concerned about and over time and treatments, you may notice that the sounds stop or decrease. That means that the treatments are effective and the normal flexibility is returning to the region.

The reason chiropractic adjustment is used so often is that it gently and effectively encourages the spine or joint to move back into its proper alignment. No amount of medication or pills you take will move your vertebrae into the correct position. Now that you know there is nothing to fear, consider visiting a chiropractor for evaluation and help.

While often feared originally the chiropractic adjustment is a specialized technique to promote increased flexibility of joints. The loss could be due to injury or illness. With the right information, you can overcome your fear and enjoy the benefits of treating your body in a holistic manner.

Types of Chiropractic Pillow

June 25, 2009

There is no doubt you have noticed the prominent pillow displays inside your chiropractor’s office. When you consider that chiropractic medicine is about treating the whole body, including paying attention to the quality of a patient’s sleep, offering pillows for therapeutic purposed makes perfect sense. Some of the styles of pillows looks rather interesting, so to clear things up we will review some of the chiropractic pillows and what problems they are intended to help out with. Just like mattresses have bearing on the quality of sleep a person gets, your pillow could also have a lot to do with how well you rest at night. As a holistic care provider, your chiropractor wants to give you every option of chiropractic pillows to enhance healing. After all, the body can’t heal or operate at its full ability if it isn’t properly rested.

One of the most common types of chiropractic pillows found in offices is the cervical pillow. It’s very likely you have at least seen this pillow. The center of the pillow is depressed while the sides are raised and look like a normal pillow. This pillow is used for treating neck problems, severe headaches, and migraines. Some patients complain of discomfort using this pillow and it may be a process of trial and error to find the right one, or it may be suggested that you try one of the other types of therapeutic pillows.

While not necessarily the most popular form of chiropractic pillows, the feather pillow is suggested in some cases. The benefit is that this pillow will adapt to the shape of the patient’s head and neck easier. What’s funny is that the very thing that makes feather pillows useful also creates a problem. Feather pillows don’t offer a whole lot in the way of neck and shoulder support. Like the cervical pillows, you will have to try out several to discover what works for you.

Another one of the popular types of chiropractic pillows is the water pillow. Depending on the model, these pillows are either filled entirely with water or have a deep compartment under the traditional down for water. Since the patient decides on the amount of water to add to the pillow, support can be adjusted for each individual patient. They conform perfectly to the contour of the head and neck and provide the right amount of support.

Regardless of which of the chiropractic pillows you and your chiropractor decide on, you should begin to feel more rested and feel less pain. Headaches and migraines are also likely to decrease. If the first model you try out doesn’t get the job done, don’t worry and move on to next option.

Chiropractic pillows can be a huge part of your treatment plan. From water pillows to cervical pillows, your chiropractor is sure to able to suggest the right product for you and your needs.