Chiropractic therapy is one method that is believed to be effective for treating back pain. This therapy still sounds foreign to the ears of the Indonesian people. Well, to find out more about chiropractic, see the explanation in the following article.
Chiropractic therapy is performed by a doctor or therapist called a chiropractor. In addition to back pain, this therapy is also effective for treating neck pain and headaches.
How are Chiropractic Procedures Performed?
In undergoing a chiropractic procedure, a chiropractor will apply pressure to the spinal joints with hands or special aids. This method is also known as spinal manipulation. The pressure can be adjusted according to the patient's needs, both speed and strength.
Spinal manipulation is used as a way to restore joint flexibility that has been reduced by a physical injury, such as a fall, wrong sitting, or repetitive physical movement. In essence, the goal of chiropractic is to relax muscles and make joints move properly.
Chiropractic is an alternative method or complementary treatment used to treat various types of diseases, such as neck pain and sports injuries.
However, studies on the effectiveness and safety of this method are still minimal, so they cannot support claims that chiropractic can treat back pain without drugs or medical action.
Before using this method, chiropractor will ask about your medical history and check your body condition to see if there are any abnormal postures or body parts.
This physical examination can be done by pressing certain areas of the body, seeing how to walk, or using X-rays.
Are Chiropractic Methods Risky?
Chiropractic is a safe method of treatment, provided that it is carried out by trained personnel and has a trusted license. However, there are some people who experience mild side effects after undergoing chiropractic, such as fatigue, pain in the body part being treated, or headaches.
Although rare, the possibility of serious complications can also be experienced. The following are some of the risks of complications that can occur:
- spinal injury
- pinched nerves
- Stroke, if therapy is carried out in the neck and causes blood vessel disorders in the spine
Not everyone can undergo chiropractic. There are several conditions that are not recommended to undergo this treatment, including:
- Frequent numbness and tingling
- Loss of strength in the arms or legs
- Severe osteoporosis
- Cancer of the spine
- Presence of stroke risk factors
Although it has been shown to be effective in treating lower back pain as well as neck pain and headaches, this method does not always show positive results for everyone. Therefore, it all depends on the individual conditions of each.
If the pain has not improved after a few weeks of chiropractic, it could be a sign that this treatment is not suitable for your condition.
You should first consult with your doctor before deciding to undergo chiropractic therapy. In addition, make sure the chiropractic service provider you visit has a license to practice, certificate of competence, and experience in this field.