When people think of chiropractors, they think of back pain, stiff necks, scoliosis, and whiplash. People don’t realize the extent of services and treatments available at their chiropractic office. If they did, they’d be more apt to visit regularly to treat a myriad of symptoms and conditions. 

While chiropractors definitely help those with back and neck issues, they can do so much more. Realigning the spine has many other beneficial effects. Continue reading to find out eight conditions you never knew a chiropractor can treat.

What Conditions Can Chiropractic Help With?

It’s true that chiropractors treat back and neck pain, but their work covers so much more than that. Many people are unaware of the extent of treatments available with chiropractic.

Headaches and Migraines

Occasional headaches are normal and typically manageable without outside assistance. However, if you experience regular headaches, ones that are debilitating, or severe migraines, you could benefit from chiropractic help. 

Spinal manipulation effectively treats headache and migraine pain, especially that which originates in the neck. 

Stress and Anxiety

You read that right. Chiropractic treatment can relieve stress and reduce anxiety by decreasing spinal nerve irritation and improving blood circulation, both of which help you deal with stress in a way that is healthy for the body and mind.

Spinal manipulation can also treat symptoms of anxiety and stress. For instance, it can release muscle tension, which in itself can reduce the feeling of stress or nervousness.

Weakened Immune Systems

Detecting and repairing misaligned spinal bones, muscles, and tendons can help ease the symptoms of numerous common conditions. A weakened immune system is one example that can function more efficiently with chiropractic treatment.

A misaligned spine can cause dysfunction within the nervous system. This damage can lead to a poorly coordinated immune response, which leads to higher chances of illness.

Arthritis

Arthritis can affect various parts of the body, including the neck, back, and other areas where the bones meet and move. Arthritis involves inflammation of the joints and can result in the breakdown of joints, making the affected areas painful and sore. 

If you are looking for a safe and effective treatment for arthritis, then consider visiting your chiropractic office. Your chiropractor is knowledgeable in the relationship between the structure of your body and its function. Using this information, chiropractors are able to access many techniques to manually adjust your spine, joints, and muscles. They use different degrees of force depending on the location and severity of your arthritis.

Asthma

Asthma is a breathing condition where your airways may swell, causing them to narrow, and they may produce extra mucus. Breathing may become difficult and accompanied by a wheezing sound, shortness of breath, and coughing. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance, while for others, it’s a major condition. 

Chiropractic adjustments can affect the functioning of various body parts, including one’s ability to breathe. Once the body is returned to its natural alignment, the nerves that lead to the lungs are more likely to function properly, easing the effects of asthma. 

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders

The TMJ is a sliding hinge joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. Problems with the joint can lead to many different issues, including:

• Jaw pain and discomfort
• Difficulty chewing
• A clicking noise and sensation
• Locking of the jaw joint

While chiropractic may not be able to cure TMJ disorders completely, it can provide temporary and regular relief from the pain and issues associated with it.

Chiropractors can reduce the nerve pressure in the area of the TMJ with a spinal adjustment. This may relieve the pressure and pain associated with TMJ disorders. 

Pregnancy

The changes that occur in the body during pregnancy can cause many problems that chiropractic care can alleviate. For instance, spinal alignment can stabilize the pelvic region, reducing pain. And since chiropractors work with the nervous system, regular treatments can help ease nausea. 

Working with a chiropractor while pregnant can help reposition the baby to ease pressure or prepare for entry into the birth canal. Surprisingly, chiropractic care can actually reduce the length of time you’re in labor and ease postpartum pain. 

Menopause

Chiropractic care can relieve some of the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disorders, exhaustion, and other symptoms. A spinal alignment can help with the production of progesterone and estrogen, which are in decline in a woman’s body during menopause. 

If the spine is out of alignment, it could further affect the production of these hormones; however, a visit to the chiropractor could help restore balance and improve menopausal symptoms. 

When Should I Visit My Chiropractor?

While chiropractic care certainly can’t cure every ailment under the sun, it certainly can help with more conditions than most people are aware of. While you’ll definitely want to schedule an appointment with your chiropractor if you’re experiencing back or neck pain, there are other conditions that chiropractic can alleviate.

If you have mobility-related issues or are dealing with any of the above conditions, then schedule a chiropractic appointment online or call us today.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person advice or care from a medical professional.