What Does a Chiropractor Do?

Chiropractors are registered health practitioners who provide various treatments for the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic care is an approach to medicine that focuses on proper alignment of the musculoskeletal structure to maintain good health and to relieve pain and restore functionality to joints, muscles, fascia, ligaments and tendons that have been injured due to trauma or repetitive stress.

 

When to Consider Chiropractic Care

From straining your back sitting at a desk all day while working to injuring yourself while playing sport, there are countless ways we can develop painful issues with our back, joints and connective tissues. For many conditions, chiropractic treatment can restore the structural integrity of the spine, reduce pressure on the sensitive neurological tissue, and consequently improve the health of the individual.

If you are experiencing back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain, have an overuse injury, sprain or strain, work or sports related injury or have restricted movement in the back, shoulders, neck or limbs, you may be a good candidate for chiropractic care. Even if you don’t have painful symptoms, regular chiropractic care can help you maintain health spine and joint function.

 

What’s Involved in Chiropractic Treatment?

While most people associate chiropractic care with spinal adjustments, the fundamental philosophy of chiropractors is treating the body as one, interconnected system. Chiropractors provide treatments that address issues with your spinal health as well as everything else connected to the nervous system and musculoskeletal system.

This includes:

  • Chiropractic adjustments – applying controlled force to a joint of the spine
  • Mobilisation – gentle movement of the joint to increase its range of motion
  • Soft tissue techniques such as massage and myofascial release
  • Application of heat or ice
  • Exercises
  • Reassurance
  • Stretching
  • Lifestyle advice – such as healthy eating and physical activity advice
  • Physiologic therapeutics – such as use of ultrasound, laser or TENS
  • Orthotics – shoe inserts for foot support and to improve posture and alignment
  • Treatment of other joints and surrounding tissues, including ankles, shoulders, wrists, elbows.

Chiropractors can also suggest how to make changes to your day-to-day activities to alleviate discomfort and enable recovery from your particular affection. At Northbridge Chiropractic, we also offer treatments such as dry needling, gua sha, trigger point therapy and kinesio taping.

 

Treating Mechanical Issues with Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care also focuses on how biomechanical and structural derangement of the spine can affect the nervous system. This can be caused by an injury or from poor posture. For example, leaning on your left leg while standing can force a cascade of musculoskeletal issues over time. Your left hip is forced out and as this hip drops your pelvis will also start to tip to the left.

Eventually, your spine will also start to twist to the left, your left shoulder will drop, resulting in a rotation of this area, and your neck will also shift in an effort to compensate to keep your eye level horizontal. By recommending lifestyle changes, strengthening exercises and by using physiotherapeutic muscle therapy and chiropractic adjustments, healthy mechanical function of the musculoskeletal system can be restored.

 

Make an Appointment at Our Perth Clinic

At Northbridge Chiropractic, we believe the body works as one connected system – the spine, nervous system, muscles and joints are all connected to each other, affecting the way our bodies maintain and restore their health. We combine a variety of treatments that reflect this holistic approach so that your body can maintain optimum health.

For more information on our physiotherapeutic muscle therapy or chiropractic adjustments, read our section on what to expect for your first visit. If you’re experiencing pain related to your spine, joints or soft tissue, make an appointment with our chiropractors today. To make an appointment, contact us online or call 08 9227 9341 today.