Common types of chiropractic treatments
There are many different types of chiropractic treatments available. The following is a list of common chiropractic
treatments available to those suffering from certain health conditions.
Spinal adjustments
A spinal adjustment, also known as spinal manipulation and chiropractic manipulation, is one of the most common
treatments that a patient can receive. This type of treatment is especially useful for patients who are experiencing
pain in their upper back, neck, shoulders and arms. It is also beneficial for those who suffer from chronic
headaches or migraines. A spinal adjustment allows the spine to be in its proper alignment, which in turn helps
reduce pain, increase range of motion and restore proper functioning to the head and neck area.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy is a popular treatment option and helps facilitate the natural healing process within the body. It is
performed for therapeutic reasons, as it helps to increase the overall effectiveness of any necessary chiropractic
adjustments, to minimize any pain experienced in the soft tissues or muscles and to prevent the patient from being
diagnosed with future health problems.
Ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound therapy is also known as sonography and is a treatment option commonly utilized by chiropractors because
this type of therapy offers multiple benefits to the patient. The first benefit is reducing pain, a goal for every
patient. The second benefit is that it helps speed up the healing process, with the third benefit being an increase
in cell regeneration. The two main types are thermal ultrasound and mechanical ultrasound. A chiropractor will
choose which type is optimal for each individual patient.
Hot therapy, cold therapy
Hot therapy, also known as heat therapy, is a chiropractic treatment option that helps enlarge blood vessels, with a
goal of bringing more blood to a certain area of the body. This, in turn, brings more oxygen to the area, allowing
for a more efficient flow of nutrients to the muscles that allow for faster healing time. This type of therapy also
decreases pain while increasing overall flexibility when used to treat the back area, allowing for a higher quality
of life.
Cold therapy is also called cryotherapy. This type of chiropractic therapy is used to narrow blood vessels, with a
goal of slowing down any blood circulation to a particular area on the body. It is a common treatment option for
relieving any spinal pain that a patient is currently experiencing and provides optimal results when used within the
first three days of being injured. Cold therapy helps eliminate pain and swelling incurred due to the injury and can
also be used to diminish any muscle spasms due to muscle contraction.
Strengthening exercises, stretching exercises
Many patients will be given a list of exercises to perform when they are at home as part of their overall
chiropractic treatment plan. Some of the more common exercises assigned to patients include progressive rolls,
pelvic rotation blocking, lumbar extension, cervical extension, piriformis stretch, cobra exercise, carpal tunnel
stretch, pelvic tilt, pectoral stretch, tech neck and pelvic bridge.