According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractic is a health care profession that treats complaints of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Patients seek chiropractic care for many reasons, including treatment for sports injuries and auto accident injuries, and to receive wellness care. Some of the most common conditions treated by chiropractors include whiplash, low back pain and muscle tension headaches.
Whiplash
According to a Dec. 21, 2009, article at the Medical News Today website, whiplash or whiplash-associated disorders refer to a combination of neck injuries involving hyperextension or extreme backward bending of the neck. Whiplash is common in individuals who have been rear-ended in automobile accidents. During the accident, the neck moves beyond its usual range of motion, which causes overstretched muscles, tendons and ligaments. These tissues may also experience micro-tears that cause pain, swelling and inflammation.
A chiropractic physician treats whiplash by first conducting an extensive history and physical examination, followed by X-rays, if warranted, and appropriate treatment. Common chiropractic treatments for whiplash include spinal joint mobilization or manipulation, manual soft tissue therapies, traction, stretching techniques, physical therapy and home care activities. Chiropractors may also counsel whiplash patients about the importance of nutrition, and provide them with health aids, such as a cervical collar, a neck-supporting pillow or a TENS unit--a portable electrical stimulator--for pain management.
Low Back Pain
According to the Mayo Clinic, chiropractic adjustments can be effective in treating low back pain. A 2003 study published in the journal "Spine" states that, in 1997, treatment for back and neck pain represented a significant proportion of all visits to complementary health care providers, including chiropractors. Low back pain is caused by numerous factors, such as herniated intervertebral discs, low back muscle strains or sprains, fracture of a lumbar vertebral segment, narrowing of the spinal canal, overuse of the facet and sacroiliac joints, and spinal deformities such as scoliosis.
Chiropractors treat low back pain using conservative, non-invasive methods that assist the body in healing itself. Like the treatment of whiplash, common chiropractic therapies used to treat low back pain include spinal joint mobilization or manipulation, manual soft tissue therapies, traction, stretching techniques, physical therapy and home care activities. Patients may also receive counseling about how to improve their seated, standing and sleeping postures to reduce the severity of their symptoms.
Headache
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, chiropractic care is effective for headache, and many people use chiropractic care to treat their headaches, including muscle tension headaches, migraines and headaches originating from neck disorders, known as cervicogenic headaches. An article by Dr. Glen Nykwest, a chiropractic physician, at the Chiropractic Universe website states that, while there are many types of headaches, the type of headache most commonly treated by chiropractors is the muscle tension headache. Muscle tension headaches often are caused by prolonged contraction of the suboccipital muscles, which sit just under the base of the skull and attach to the cervical vertebrae.
The chiropractic treatment of muscle tension headaches targets these muscles and the joints of the upper cervical spine to decrease tissue tension and improve joint range of motion. Chiropractors also counsel their patients about the importance of maintaining proper posture, and give them exercises to perform at home to support optimal posture and body alignment.
