What İs Chiropractic?
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It is applied to repair disorders in the musculoskeletal system, spine and joints, and to regulate the nervous system. It is administered by a chiropractor who focuses treatment specifically on manual adjustment or manipulation of the bones that make up the spine.
Some musculoskeletal disorders consist of malfunctions of the nervous system resulting from misalignment of the spine and joints. Chiropractic allows the body to heal itself by properly aligning the musculoskeletal structure, especially the spine. The goal is to restore normal mobility of the spine, which relieves irritation of the nerves passing through the spine and distributes throughout the body or restores impaired reflexes.
Chiropractic adjustments are specific joint manipulations that are usually performed manually and involve a quick, gentle push. The purpose of the manipulations is to improve the movement and function of the joints. Manipulations occur mostly on the spine, but the chiropractor can also heal other parts of the body this way.
Chiropractic focuses on the close relationship between the spine and the nervous system. The biomechanical and structural issues of the spine can affect the nervous system. Chiropractic approaches is applied to the spine when there are abnormal movements or when it doesn’t function properly. As a result, the structural integrity of the spine is restored, reducing pressure on delicate neurological tissues, and consequently improving the individual’s health. Chiropractic is primarily used to alleviate pain in muscles and joints, including:
In our country, chiropractic education is only provided at the postgraduate level. To apply for this education, you need to complete a 4-year undergraduate program in physiotherapy and rehabilitation or graduate from a medical school. The postgraduate program typically lasts for 3 years. Upon completing the education, you will be awarded the title of chiropractor.
During your initial appointment, the chiropractor will listen to you to determine if chiropractic treatment is suitable and which techniques may be helpful. They will examine your spine and explain the appropriate treatment to you. Chiropractors use various techniques, including spinal manipulation, mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization, to address issues with muscles and joints. They apply manual pressure to the muscles, bones, and joints of the spine and neck to correct their positioning. The treatment is usually not painful, but some individuals may experience slight discomfort. You can consult with the chiropractor regarding any concerns.
When performed correctly by a trained and licensed chiropractor, chiropractic treatment generally has no side effects, and complications are very rare. The chiropractor determines the treatment plan based on the patient’s medical history, and mobilization may be used instead of manipulation depending on the condition. It is not suitable for every patient. Some individuals may experience mild side effects after treatment, such as pain, soreness, stiffness, or fatigue. These side effects are usually minor and subside within a few days.
Is the Effect of Chiropractic Permanent?
How much are Chiropractic Session Fees?
Chiropractic, primarily focuses on the treatment of the nervous system through adjustments or manipulations applied to the spine, bones, and muscles. The main goal is to correct joint dysfunctions in the spine.
In our country, chiropractic education is provided only in the form of a master’s degree. To apply for this education, one must have completed a 4-year physical therapy and rehabilitation program or a medical faculty. The master’s program lasts for 3 years, and after completing the education, one obtains the title of chiropractor.
You can call and inquire about chiropractic session fees.
Chiropractic treatment aims to mobilize the spine and correct misalignments in the spine. It involves direct manipulation of the bone structure to facilitate the opening of nerve pathways.
Chiropractic treatment is usually applied manually but can also be performed using specialized tables and instruments if necessary. It can be combined with physical therapy and exercises when deemed necessary.
Typically, 1 or 2 sessions per week, totaling 6-8 sessions, are applied. For healthy individuals, it is beneficial to have chiropractic treatment at least every 2 months to maintain good health.
Contrary to popular belief, having a herniated disc does not necessarily mean you will experience back pain. In fact, a study found that nearly half of all adults have at least one bulging or herniated disc without experiencing any back pain. However, herniated discs can often become an intense and debilitating source of pain that radiates to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, when a disc herniates, it rarely fully heals. Regular chiropractic care can help prevent further deterioration, but complete healing is much less common.
This is a common cause of back pain among weekend warriors – those who are relatively sedentary during the week but push themselves too hard on the weekends. By the end of the weekend, they find themselves lying flat on their backs, counting down the hours until they can see their massage therapists. Overworking the muscles or ligaments in the back can cause small tears in the tissues, which then become painful, swollen, and tense.
When there is a misalignment or partial dislocation in the normal movement or position of a vertebra, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these often occur in the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating back pain. Fortunately, subluxations can be easily treated and often result in significant pain relief immediately after treatment.
One of the most common causes of neck pain and sometimes headaches is poor posture. It’s easy to develop bad posture habits – even innocent activities like reading in bed can eventually lead to pain, headaches, and more serious problems. The basic rule is simple: try to keep your neck in a “neutral” position whenever possible. Avoid bending or hunching your neck for extended periods. Also, try not to sit in the same position for too long. If you need to sit for an extended period, make sure your posture is good: keep your head in a neutral position, ensure your back is supported, keep your knees slightly lower than your hips, and rest your arms if possible.
Headaches affect almost everyone at some point and can manifest in many different ways. Some people feel pain in only part of their head or behind their eyes, some experience a throbbing sensation throughout their entire head, and others may not feel anything at all but experience nausea. The pain can be dull or sharp and can last anywhere from a few minutes to several days. Fortunately, very few headaches have serious underlying causes, but those that do require immediate medical attention.
Headaches can be due to a variety of reasons, including reactions to medications, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), tension in neck muscles, low blood sugar, high blood pressure, stress, and fatigue. While there are many potential causes, most recurring headaches fall into two categories: tension headaches (also called cervicogenic headaches) and migraines. There is also a third, less common type of headache called a cluster headache. Let’s take a closer look at each of these three types of headaches.
Migraine sufferers typically experience their first attack before reaching 30 years of age and have a tendency to be family-related, supporting the idea that there is a genetic component. Some people have several attacks per month; others have them less than once a year. Most people notice that their migraines become less frequent and less severe as they age.
Migraine headaches are caused by a narrowing of blood vessels in the brain, followed by a sudden widening of the vessels. During the narrowing, there is a decrease in blood flow, which leads to the visual symptoms that many people experience. Even in those who do not experience classic migraine auras, most can tell an attack is imminent. When the vessels widen, the increase in blood flow causes the pain. It is this increased pressure that causes the intense pain associated with migraines. With every beat of the heart, the carotid arteries in the neck send a shock wave of blood to the brain. These shock waves are registered as pain by the brain’s nerve endings.
While many theories exist as to why the vessels constrict in the first place, no one knows for sure. What we do know is that many things can trigger migraines; these triggers are incredibly varied and range from exposure to flickering lights and fasting to certain foods, like ‘tyramine’ rich foods. Some lifestyle changes can help reduce the likelihood of suffering migraines.
Numerous research studies show that chiropractic adjustments, especially in the neck, are highly effective in treating tension-type headaches, also referred to as cervicogenic headaches.
In a report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, researchers found that “spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for cervicogenic headaches and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication.” This supports a previous study that was published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics which found that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for tension headaches and that those who stopped chiropractic treatment after four weeks continued to experience a sustained benefit in contrast to those patients who received pain medication.
Each individual’s condition is different and requires a thorough evaluation before an appropriate chiropractic care plan can be determined. However, in most cases of tension-type headaches, significant improvement can be achieved through manipulation of the upper two cervical vertebrae, coupled with adjustments to the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine. This is also beneficial in most cases of migraine headaches as long as food and lifestyle triggers are avoided.
Suboccipital muscles are a group of four small muscles responsible for maintaining proper movement and positioning between the first cervical vertebra and the base of the skull. Trigger points in these muscles can cause pain that radiates from the back of the head to the eyes and forehead, creating a headache pattern similar to migraines.
The Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle extends downward from the side of the neck, starting at the base of the skull, running behind the ear, and attaching to the top of the sternum (breastbone). While many people may not be aware of trigger points in the SCM muscle, their effects, such as referred pain, balance issues, and vision disturbances, are common. The pain patterns tend to involve deep eye pain, headaches above the eye, and can even cause earaches. Another notable characteristic of SCM trigger points is their potential to cause dizziness, nausea, and imbalance.
The Trapezius muscle is a large, flat muscle located in the upper and middle part of the back. One common trigger point in the upper part of the Trapezius can cause pain to radiate to the temples and back of the head, sometimes contributing to headaches. This trigger point can also produce satellite trigger points in the muscles of the temples or jaw, leading to jaw or tooth pain.