Chiropractor in Brandon FL care is a way to diagnose and treat health problems that affect the nerves, muscles, bones and joints of the body. A health care provider that offers this type of care is called a chiropractor.
Manual adjustments of the spine, called manipulation of the spine, are the basis of chiropractic care. Most chiropractors also use other types of treatments.
What happens during a visit to a chiropractor?
The first visit in most cases lasts from 30 to 60 minutes. The chiropractor will ask about your goals for treatment and your medical history. You will be asked about:
- Past injuries and illnesses
- Current health problems
- Any medication you are taking
- Lifestyle
- Diet
- Sleep habits
- Exercise
- Mental stress you may have
- Consumption of alcohol, drugs or tobacco
Tell your chiropractor about any natural chiropractic healing or physical problems you may have that make it difficult for you to complete certain tasks. Also tell him if he has any numbness, tingling, weakness or any other neurological problem.
After asking about your health, the chiropractor will perform a physical exam. This includes tests of the mobility of the spine (how well the spine moves). The chiropractor can also do some tests, such as checking blood pressure and taking x-rays. These tests look for problems that may be increasing your back pain.
The treatment begins in the first or second consultation in most cases.
You may be asked to lie on a special table, where the chiropractor performs manipulations of the spine.
The most common treatment is the manipulation that the chiropractor does with his hand. It consists of moving a joint of the spine to the maximum of its range, followed by a light compression. This is often called “adjustment” and realigns the bones of the spine so that they are straight.
The chiropractor can also perform other treatments, such as massage and other soft tissue jobs.
Some people are a bit sore, stiff and tired for a few days after handling. This is because your body is adjusting to its new alignment. You should not feel any pain from handling.
How many treatments will you need?
In most cases, more than one session is needed to correct a problem. The treatments usually last several weeks. The chiropractor can suggest 2 or 3 short sessions a week at the beginning. These sessions would only last about 10 to 20 minutes each. Once you start to improve, the treatment can be only once a week. You and your chiropractor will discuss the effectiveness of the treatment based on the goals outlined in the first session.
What conditions does the chiropractor best treat?
Chiropractic treatment is most effective for:
- The subacute back pain (the pain has been present for 3 months or less)
- Chronic backache exacerbations
- Pain in the neck
- Who should not receive treatment with a chiropractor?
People should not receive chiropractic treatment on the parts of their bodies affected by:
- Fractures or bone tumors
- Severe arthritis
- Infections of bones or joints
- Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) serious
In very rare cases, manipulation of the neck can damage blood vessels or cause strokes. It is also very infrequent that the manipulation can worsen the condition. However, the evaluation process that your chiropractor does in your first consultation is to see if you could be at high risk for these problems. If so, your chiropractor will not perform neck manipulation.