Chiropractic care is an excellent way to treat back and spine pain, and it’s been around for centuries. Many patients have found pain relief and improved health after spinal adjustments. According to statistics, around 22 million Americans go to the chiropractor. Statista recorded that around 80% of people experience some neck or back discomfort. That’s a lot of people, but that doesn’t exactly mean that it works for everyone. While chiropractic care can help some, the same can’t be said for others, and it’s hard to know which side you’d fall on unless you contact a spine professional.
Are you keen on chiropractic care but don’t know if it’s the right fit for you? Are you filled with reservations about laying on that table and don’t know where else to turn? Don’t stress about it! We’ve collected all the information we could on modern chiropractic care and compressed it into one article. Below we’ve listed all the pros and cons of chiropractic care.
Pro #1 Relieves Neck, Back, Joint, and Muscle Pain
Chiropractors mostly deal with pain complaints in patients’ neck, back, or joints, which can be instantly relieved with a gentle adjustment. Compared to other pain relief methods, surgery or medication, a spinal adjustment has few adverse side effects. Surgery can be invasive and dangerous, and pain medication can be addictive and damaging to the body, so chiropractic gives individuals suffering from chronic pain another option.
Con #1 Limited Medical Research
Though chiropractic care has been around for centuries, it wasn’t accepted as an actual medical practice until recently. The result of this is a severe lack of medical research into the health benefits of spinal manipulation.
Pro #2 Multiple Health Benefits
Besides pain relief, there are multiple claimed health benefits of a spinal adjustment. Chiropractic care is known to improve blood pressure and increase blood flow. Adjustments can also alleviate vertigo symptoms, reduce the pain from migraines, and slow down scoliosis progression.
Con #2 Soreness After Treatment
Some chiropractic adjustments can be aggressive, and it can cause the body to react drastically. Depending on where the adjustment takes place, it can even be painful. For example, foot adjustments can be quite uncomfortable for the patient, even though they experience relief a few days after. The most common complaint after an adjustment is muscle soreness, but it is expected and isn’t long-lasting.
Pro #3 Treats Migraines and Headaches
Tensed muscles or a misaligned spine can cause issues outside of pain. Tension headaches can be caused by tense muscles or misalignment in the neck or upper back, which can be quite uncomfortable on two levels. Unlike headaches, which tend to be mildly painful, migraines are very different. Migraines are excruciating and can’t be treated with most medications. There are severe cases in which patients can only find migraine relief after an adjustment.
Con #3 No Health Insurance Options
Many individuals who suffer from pain, bad posture, or a misaligned spine cannot afford medical practices unless covered by their health insurance. Unfortunately, most chiropractic practices do not offer health insurance services, which lessens the number of individuals who can see the chiropractor.
Pro #4 An Alternative To Expensive Medication and Invasive Surgery
As stated above, there aren’t a lot of options for those who suffer from chronic pain. Their options are limited to surgery or medication. Non-elective spinal surgery can be highly invasive and is often discouraged because of the risks involved. Not only is it difficult to get a prescription for pain medication, but the medication can also be expensive, addictive, and very hard on the body. Chiropractic care gives those suffering from pain another option.
Con #4 Possibility Of Severe Medical Problems
As stated above, chiropractic care is not for everyone. There are certain conditions in which an individual can worsen their condition with a chiropractic adjustment. While cases are rare, it is said that aggressive, high-risk chiropractic methods can result in a stroke. That’s why it’s essential to seek the advice of your physician before you consider chiropractic care.
Pro #5 Cheaper Than Alternatives
As stated above, there are a few options to treat pain, but chiropractic care is ultimately more affordable than all other alternatives. Sessions are typically charged by the hour with low fees, which are dramatically cheaper than a regular doctor’s visit. Beyond that, chiropractic clinics often offer discounts during certain parts of the year.
There are so many benefits to seeing a chiropractor, and some might say that the good possibilities outweigh the bad, but that decision is yours to make. If you believe that you can benefit from spinal manipulation or adjustment, contact a medical professional today. You are just one phone call away from finding instant relief.