The chiropractor Exeter is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats disorders of the musculoskeletal system and its associated soft tissues. The main chiropractic technique involves manual therapy, especially spinal manipulation (done by pushing, pulling, and twisting a patient’s spine), but also massage and other techniques.
Chiropractors believe that misalignments in the spine (called vertebral subluxation) can interfere with the nervous system and cause disease. They claim to be able to treat diseases by correcting spinal misalignments by manipulating, adjusting, mobilizing or cracking the spine. Chiropractors use manual therapy techniques such as spinal manipulation for low back pain, neck pain and headache. They also use various diagnostic methods such as x-rays and diagnostic ultrasound scan to locate problems with bones or soft tissue.
Chiropractic care is usually used as an alternative treatment rather than a primary care option for back pain but it can be effective in reducing pain when used alongside conventional treatments like exercise and physiotherapy.
The number of visits a patient needs depends on their condition but most people need between four to eight sessions over a period of 12 weeks or more before they notice any difference in their symptoms.
The chiropractor is an important part of your healthcare team. They are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries, disorders and conditions that affect the spine, muscles and nervous system.
The chiropractor can help you with:
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Sciatica or leg pain
- Pinched nerves in the spine
- Tension headaches
Chiropractors are trained to treat patients with problems they have in the spine, joints and muscles. They are considered primary care providers, meaning they can examine and treat a wide range of conditions.
Chiropractors have a different approach than doctors in general practice, who often prescribe drugs for pain relief. Chiropractors focus on treating the source of the problem rather than just relieving symptoms with drugs.
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Here are some things you should know about chiropractors:
They can examine and treat many conditions, including back pain, neck pain and headaches.
They may use spinal manipulation during treatment. This is a gentle technique that involves applying force to certain joints in the spine while moving the body into certain positions (such as bending over backwards). Spinal manipulation is sometimes called “chiropractic adjustment” or “high velocity low amplitude thrust.”
Chiropractic adjustments should not be confused with invasive spinal surgery or injections of steroids or other drugs into the joint spaces. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to be effective for treating musculoskeletal pain associated with muscle strain or sprain; however, there is little evidence that they are effective at treating nonmusculoskeletal conditions such as asthma.
