The Risks and Benefits of Chiropractic Care

When it comes to looking for a solution for back pain relief, it isn’t rare for chiropractic care to come up. In fact, more than 35 million Americans use chiropractic care annually. It isn’t only used as treatment for back pain, chiropractors can also treat pain in the neck, arms, legs and even headaches.

Chiropractic care focuses on realigning the spine and restoring mobility to joints by manipulation and other techniques. It is believed that when the spine is in proper alignment and joints are unrestricted, the body heals and restores function improving overall quality of life.
There are generally no risks when using chiropractic care for lower back pain, neck pain and headaches. People with musculoskeletal disorders such osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia also use chiropractic care for pain relief risk-free. This puts chiropractic care on a pedestal as it requires no drugs or surgery at all.
However, people with osteoporosis or inflammatory arthritis, or who use blood-thinning medications should avoid the spinal manipulation method. In these cases a chiropractor will use a gentle approach instead. People with cancer should first consult with their doctor before visiting a chiropractor. It is very important for a chiropractor to evaluate your medical history, any medications you take, past surgeries and lifestyle habits. A chiropractor uses the information to develop a personalized treatment plan that avoids the risks of making something such as a herniated disc worse.
Consulting with your doctor before receiving chiropractic care is your best bet at preventing any risks at all.