Many people associate chiropractic care with forceful thrusts and cracking sounds. If you’ve never had an adjustment, you may wonder if it is safe. Undoubtedly, adjustments are standard components of chiropractic treatment plans, and you can count on their safety when a licensed and experienced chiropractor performs them. Chiropractors are great for discomfort or pain relief after a car accident or slip and fall. Certified chiropractors can not only help with providing care but also assist with providing information regarding injuries and work needed for your claim against a defendant.
What Type of Training Do Chiropractors Receive?
Chiropractors are medical providers trained to treat neuromusculoskeletal conditions involving:
- Muscles
- Ligaments
- Tendons
- Joints
- Bones
- Nerves
Chiropractors receive extensive training before obtaining a state’s license to practice. The path to becoming a chiropractor begins with getting an undergraduate degree focusing on the sciences, including biology, physics, and chemistry. The next step involves attending a chiropractic college to receive a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. In addition to class sessions, students receive hands-on training. While preparing to receive their degree, students may begin taking a four-part certification exam which they must pass to obtain a license to practice.
Chiropractors may choose to specialize in specific treatment areas, such as pediatrics or geriatrics. Still, they must commit to continuing their education through seminars and workshops to ensure they remain up-to-date on the latest treatment methods and maintain their license.
Does Discomfort Mean Something Is Wrong?
Pain and discomfort can be unsettling, and you may have heard that some people experience fatigue, pain, or flu-like symptoms following a chiropractic adjustment. Although these sensations are not pleasant, they usually indicate that the body is re-calibrating to be healthier, as a chiropractor like one at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic can explain. For instance, pain may be the aching of muscles weakened by misalignments working to regain their proper function. Feeling unwell following an adjustment may be due to the release of toxins from a nervous system malfunctioning due to subluxations.
Many people also misinterpret the cracking sounds they hear during an adjustment. These sounds are due to the popping of air bubbles in the fluid surrounding the joints during an adjustment. They are not due to bone or cartilage stress.
Are Adjustments Safe for Anyone?
Although millions of people can benefit from chiropractic adjustments to relieve a wide range of conditions, a chiropractor will typically perform an in-depth health evaluation before qualifying someone for treatment. For example, adjustments may not be advisable for individuals with osteoporosis because their bones may not be strong enough to tolerate the force. Also, adjustments are not recommended for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, spinal tumors, and stroke risk, as they may cause complications.
Schedule an appointment with a licensed chiropractor who can qualify you for treatment and explain the benefits of chiropractic adjustments.
