3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Seeing A Chiropractor

Growing up I never saw a Chiropractor, ever! My first chiropractic adjustment was when I was 27 years old, when I was already in chiropractic school.

My family never went to one and it was never something that was on our radar to utilize chiropractic care for our aches and pains. It was during my master's at the University of Minnesota where I put a research focus on the impact cortisol, the stress hormone, has on an athlete's recovery from injury. If you want to learn more about this, just ask! In short, elevated, and sustained levels of cortisol prolongs the healing and recovery time for not only athletes, but for everybody!

Chiropractic Care is the only healthcare profession that identifies the connection of mind, body, spirit and utilizes drug-free care to restore people back to health. Here are 3 things I wish I knew before seeking out my first chiropractic adjustment.

1. Not all chiropractors are the same
   
   Just like how not all people are the same in your own family, friend group or at your place of work. Not all chiropractors are the same. Each has their own personality, ability to connect with patients and how they chose to practice or serve others. Be sure to do your research before choosing a chiropractor.
   
   
   
2. Not all chiropractors offer the same techniques or services
   
   Some chiropractors use their hands to adjust. Some will use only tools. There are over 17 different types of chiropractic techniques! Other modalities include physical rehab, ultrasound, acupuncture, dry-needling, non-surgical spinal decompression, traction, nutrition therapy, electrical stimulation, hot packs, cold packs.
   
   
   
3. Chiropractors aren't quacks.
   
   The biggest challenge I've witnessed is chiropractors explaining what they do and how you should consider their services. So, here's my attempt. Your brain, spinal cord and nerves are an intricate supercomputer system reaching to every muscle, joint and organ of the body. The first sign that you should seek out a chiropractor is when you simply aren't moving right. Movements that give you trouble like bending over, getting up from a chair, turning your head side to side or reaching overhead. It's highly likely one or more segments of the spine just isn't moving the correct way either, this can be for many reasons and the most common is scar tissue is restricting the movement. A chiropractor finds those specific segments and using a quick chiropractic adjustment to break through the layers of scar tissue and works with you to restore proper movement, strength, and alignment of the spine. However, if left untreated, the scar tissue builds up and adheres to the nerve causing neural tension. This tension creates symptoms like feeling hot or cold on the skin, numbness, tingling in the arms and legs, and pain in local areas. Depending on the location of the scar tissue chiropractors can assist with symptoms from constipation, poor sleep, and high blood pressure. If a person continues to delay treatment the restricted movement to a spinal segment will degenerate the nearby disc and joints of the spine. This is an anatomical principle across healthcare can't deny, a joint not moving causes degeneration on the joint surface and weakening of the nearby soft tissue.
   
   

I encourage people to start with a consultation 763-432-3932 to see what chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation can do for you at Northwood Chiropractic and Wellness in Maple Grove, MN.