Are you experiencing persistent pain or discomfort that just won’t go away? Do you find that your range of motion isn’t what it was before you underwent surgery? If any of these sound familiar it could well be time for you to consider seeing a chiropractor!
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to healing that can help address a wide range of health issues, from back pain and headaches to digestive disorders, sleep disturbances and much more.
But how do you know when it’s time to see a chiropractor? In this article, we’re going to explore the warning signs your body could be giving you to indicate that an appointment with a professional chiropractor could be helpful. We’ll observe the more common signals such as poor posture or back pain, but also some of the lesser acknowledged signs that your body is in need of some chiropractic attention.
So if you’re ready to take control of your health and say goodbye to chronic pain, read on through this insightful blog that our team at Active Care Chiropractic have put together and discover the signs that it could be time to see a chiropractor.
1. Are You Suffering From Headaches And/Or Migraines?
Let’s start with one of the less common signs to see a chiropractor. While many who work in the chiropractic or physiotherapy industry are aware of the correlation between neck pain and headaches or migraines, it is often overlooked by the majority of people as a reason for their afflictions.
Because the neck is made up of several complex vertebrae, muscles, ligaments and nerves – when these are disrupted it can quickly cause tension in the head leading to painful headaches and in more severe cases, migraines.
These headaches are known as a cervicogenic headache. Typically, the pain starts in the back of the head or neck and can then spread to the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes. The pain caused by a cervicogenic headache is often described as a dull aching pain, typically lasting for several hours or even days and can be incredibly debilitating for those suffering from it.
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to treat neck pain and headaches caused by musculoskeletal issues. As it is often nerve, ligament or muscle damage in the neck that causes the headaches, a chiropractor can use a range of conventional and more niche techniques to treat the affected areas and begin relieving the tension being put on your skull.
So, if you’re experiencing severe headaches, then whilst many possibilities can’t be ruled out, seeing a chiropractor could be a great starting point. However, while chiropractic care can be effective in treating neck pain and headaches caused by musculoskeletal issues, it’s important to note that not all cases are suitable for chiropractic treatment.
If your neck pain or headaches are the result of an underlying medical condition, your chiropractor may recommend that you seek additional medical treatment or refer you to another healthcare provider.
2. Are You Suffering From Muscle & Joint Pain?
By far, this is one of the most common health problems that people associate with chiropractic treatment or physiotherapy. Whilst over-the-counter pain medications remain the most common remedies for muscle and joint pain, these seldom treat the underlying issue, rather they just act as a way to mask the pain caused by an injury, trauma or medical condition.
Chiropractors specialise in treating musculoskeletal conditions and can help address muscle and joint pain much more effectively than painkillers ever can. Whether you’re experiencing acute or chronic pain, a chiropractor can help identify the underlying cause of your pain and develop a personalised treatment plan to address your specific needs.
Specialist chiropractors may also be able to offer lesser known but incredibly effective alternative treatments for muscle and joint pain. These include the use of tools and equipment such as the NovoTHOR® red light therapy bed. Through either targeted red light therapy to the affected area(s) or through treatment in a red light therapy bed, you can begin repairing damage to your muscles and joints on a cellular level.
Don’t let persistent muscle and joint pain disrupt your daily life. Consider reaching out to a chiropractor for professional help. With their expertise, they can determine the root cause of your pain and develop a personalised treatment plan to help you feel your best once again.
3. Is Your Mobility Becoming Limited Further?
It could be due to ageing, or it could be due to a recent accident. However, no matter the cause, experiencing a restricted range of motion (ROM) is one of the most obvious signs that your body is in need of some chiropractic treatment. Range of motion refers to the full movement potential of a joint. It’s a critical component of your overall physical health and well-being, as it allows you to move freely and perform daily tasks without pain or discomfort.
When joints become stiff and immobile, it results in a restricted ROM, which of course can cause a whole host of problems. Limited range of motion can cause the kinds of muscle and joint pain we have described above and in some extreme cases can lead to much more serious conditions like arthritis.
Fortunately, chiropractors are trained to help improve range of motion and help prevent chronic pain from developing. By combining exercise, massage, and chiropractic techniques, chiropractic treatment can help address your limited movement and increase your ROM.
Rehabilitation exercises help to strengthen the muscles and joints, increasing their flexibility and mobility. Massage therapy, on the other hand, can help to reduce inflammation, decrease muscle tension and promote relaxation. While other chiropractic techniques help to promote healthy joint movement. All of these different techniques work together to improve your overall ROM and reduce the risk of developing chronic pain or other conditions.
It is for these reasons, that when a person’s range of motion is becoming increasingly limited, they seek chiropractic help. Unless caused by an underlying medical condition, limited ROM can normally be resolved through specialist techniques from a chiropractor. So, if you are experiencing a decline of your overall mobility – it is certainly worth reaching out to a local chiropractic clinic.
4. Are You Suffering From Depression Or Anxiety?
We said some of these signs to see a chiropractor were going to be lesser known than others, and this is certainly no exception. Whilst talking therapy is still probably one of the most effective treatments for depression and anxiety, the importance of chiropractic care often goes unnoticed.
There are a couple of reasons why seeing a chiropractor can actually help you if you are struggling with depression or anxiety. The first of which leads on from the benefits of talking therapy. When a person suffering from depression and/or anxiety makes a conscious effort to improve their physical health, multiple studies have shown that this has a concurrent positive effect on their mental wellbeing. As such, when you choose to see a chiropractor to begin improving your physical well being, it will act as a support to your overall mental health.
The second way in which chiropractic care can help those people struggling with anxiety and depression is in the regulation of parts of the body’s nervous system that can help our brains produce neurotransmitters like dopamine, the chemical which our brain produces to make us feel happier.
A 2020 study published in The Neuroscientist concluded that chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments help parts of our nervous system activate specific neurotrophins which in turn then allow our bodies to produce more of the dopamine neurotransmitter, helping us to feel happier in ourselves.
Whilst, we’re not saying that physical therapy or chiropractic care can or ever should replace traditional therapy and other conventional treatments for depression and anxiety, you can see from the above that it is certainly better than doing nothing for your own mental wellbeing. Not only this, but visiting and speaking to your chiropractor might be the first small step for you to then explore those other, more daunting conversations with mental health professionals.
5. Do You Lead An Active Lifestyle?
As a chiropractic clinic, we have worked with some of the UK’s leading athletes and sports teams, as well as the charming people of North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire who are keeping themselves active and healthy. Whether your passion is hiking, boxing or anything in between, you’ll be more than aware that with staying active comes increased strain being put on parts of your body, and as such a higher risk of injury.
However, many people who lead an active lifestyle but are not professional athletes may not consider seeking professional help for minor injuries or pain. It is this that can lead to people’s performance levels in their sport dropping or even scaling back their level of activity as it simply causes them too much pain!
But it doesn’t have to be this way. For many, a visit to a chiropractor who can perform a physical examination, identify the problem and then perform any number of specialist treatments will help them get over their injury and get back into pursuing their sporting passion in no time. Regular visits to a chiropractor can also help to identify potential issues and injuries before they become more serious, enabling you to address them early on and prevent them from impacting on your performance in whichever activity it is you pursue.
In conclusion, regardless of whether you’re a professional athlete, fitness enthusiast, golfer, or simply someone who enjoys an active lifestyle, regularly consulting a chiropractor can be beneficial in ensuring your body is functioning optimally and maintaining your active way of life. Waiting until an injury or pain limits your mobility and overall health is what leads so many active people to try and suffer through the pain. So, if any of the above sound all too familiar, consider seeking professional help from a chiropractor now to help you feel your best and continue doing what you love.
