Is Chiropractic Care Only for People With Back Pain?
When most people hear the word “chiropractor“, they immediately think of back pain.
And while back pain is certainly one reason people seek chiropractic care, it is not the only musculoskeletal concern that may be assessed by a chiropractor.
People may also seek care for problems involving the neck, shoulders, hips, knees, joints and muscles, as well as movement-related concerns.
The important distinction is that chiropractic care is not about treating every ache or claiming to fix every condition.
A chiropractor’s role is to assess your symptoms, consider your history and physical findings, and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your particular situation.
What does a chiropractor actually assess?
A chiropractic appointment is not simply about finding a sore spot and treating it.
Depending on why you have made an appointment, an assessment may consider:
your symptoms and how they started
previous injuries
your range of movement
strength and physical function
activities that aggravate or relieve your symptoms
work and exercise demands
relevant medical history
This broader context can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and what type of care may be suitable.
It can also help identify situations where another healthcare professional should be involved.
1. Back pain
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care.
It can range from a short-lived episode after an awkward movement to recurring discomfort that affects work, exercise or everyday activities.
Back pain can have many contributors, including physical workload, activity changes, prolonged sitting, previous injuries and other factors.
Depending on the presentation, chiropractic care may form part of an individual management plan.
2. Neck pain
Your neck does a lot of work throughout the day.
It supports your head while you sit at a desk, drive, look at your phone, exercise and perform everyday tasks.
Neck discomfort may sometimes be associated with prolonged positions, repetitive activity, muscle tension or previous injury.
A chiropractor may assess neck movement alongside the upper back, shoulders and other relevant areas.
What if neck pain travels into your arm?
Pain, tingling, numbness or weakness travelling into an arm can have different causes.
These symptoms should not simply be assumed to be muscle tension.
If you experience persistent or significant neurological symptoms, an appropriate assessment is important to determine what is happening and whether chiropractic care is suitable.
3. Shoulder pain
Shoulder problems can interfere with surprisingly simple activities.
Reaching overhead, putting on a shirt, lifting a child or sleeping on one side can become uncomfortable.
Shoulder pain can have many potential contributors, including changes in activity, repetitive loading, previous injuries and problems affecting the shoulder itself.
A thorough assessment can help determine whether the symptoms are likely to be musculoskeletal and whether chiropractic management is appropriate.
4. Headaches
Some people also seek chiropractic assessment when they experience headaches.
However, not every headache is related to the neck or musculoskeletal system.
Headaches can have many different causes.
Where appropriate, a chiropractor may consider factors such as neck movement, muscle tension, posture and the relationship between certain activities and headache symptoms.
New, sudden or unusually severe headaches require medical assessment rather than assuming the cause is musculoskeletal.
What happens at a chiropractic appointment?
If you have never visited a chiropractor before, you may be unsure what to expect.
Your first appointment will generally involve a discussion about why you have come in.
You may be asked:
when your symptoms started
what makes them better or worse
whether you have experienced similar problems before
what activities you normally do
whether you have had any relevant injuries
A physical assessment may then look at relevant movement, strength and function.
Based on your history and examination findings, the chiropractor can discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate and what your options may be.
You should have the opportunity to ask questions before agreeing to treatment.
FAQ
What can a chiropractor help with besides back pain?
Depending on the individual presentation, chiropractors may assess musculoskeletal problems involving the neck, shoulders, hips, knees and other areas. Care should be based on an appropriate assessment rather than the assumption that every problem has the same cause.
Can I see a chiropractor for neck pain?
Yes. Neck pain is one of the musculoskeletal concerns a chiropractor may assess. Your history, symptoms and examination findings can help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
Can chiropractors help with headaches?
Some headaches may have musculoskeletal contributors, including factors involving the neck. However, headaches can have many causes, so an appropriate assessment is important. Sudden or unusually severe headaches require medical attention.
Do you need to have pain to see a chiropractor?
Not necessarily, but there should be a sensible reason for seeking care. If you have no symptoms or particular concern, there may be no need for chiropractic treatment simply for the sake of having treatment.
What happens at your first chiropractic appointment?
The appointment generally involves discussing your symptoms and relevant history, followed by an appropriate physical assessment. Your chiropractor can then discuss their findings and whether chiropractic care may be suitable.
Is chiropractic care suitable for everyone?
No. Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every condition or every person. An assessment helps determine whether it is suitable and whether another healthcare professional should be involved.
Not sure whether chiropractic care is appropriate for the problem you’re experiencing? Wellbeing Chiropractic with clinics across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Book an appointment to help you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care is a suitable option based on your history and examination findings.
