ChiroCare of FloridaThere are physical symptoms to be aware of that signal it's time to see your nearest chiropractor. Many people live with daily aches and pains that aren't necessary. These pains may be the result of a prior injury, a chronic health condition, or everyday life. No matter the cause, you don't have to accept your pain. We're here to help you recognize signs that you need to see a chiropractor.
If you have just suffered a serious injury, or are suddenly in extreme pain that cannot be explained, visit the emergency room or nearest urgent care center. Chiropractic care is not meant to treat immediate trauma, but rather as an ongoing form of treatment for pain management and general health.
Signs You Need to See a Chiropractor
There are many conditions that people do not typically associate with chiropractic care, but can be easily addressed with the right treatment plan. Some of the signs you need to see a chiropractor may surprise you. Keep reading to see if your nearest chiropractor may be able to help effectively treat your pain.
1) You Suffer From a Chronic Health Condition
There are many chronic health conditions that chiropractic care can help manage. These include carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, migraines, myofascial pain syndrome, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, and more.
Some of these conditions are more serious than others. However, they all cause pain that can be managed with the right course of treatment. Your nearest chiropractor may recommend alternative therapies that are non-invasive and do not require medication. Of course, these treatment options are not meant to substitute those prescribed by your primary doctor or specialist. Still, they can significantly aid in pain management.
Treatments such as electric stimulation, massage therapy, ultrasound therapy, acupuncture, and cryotherapy are a few examples.
2) You Recently Suffered a Sports Injury
One of the signs you need to see a chiropractor is that you have suffered a sports injury and are still having problems with pain. After receiving treatment from a doctor, hospital, or surgeon, many individuals still find themselves in physical discomfort. It's common to experience a limited range of motion in the area of injury, along with stiffness, joint, or soft tissue pain.
If you are experiencing these symptoms as the result of a sports injury, it's time to see your nearest chiropractor. They can create a treatment plan, including physical therapy, hot/cold therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, and more. It can help speed recovery time and alleviate pain efficiently.
3) You Suffer from Frequent Headaches
Many people suffer from frequent headaches, and your nearest chiropractor can likely help. Common causes of headaches include misalignment of the spine and vertebrae in your neck. Sometimes, you experience referred pain, and the problem originates in your lower back. These are things that you cannot easily identify yourself, but a chiropractor can spot after a simple evaluation.
- Typically, treatment will include an ongoing series of spine alignments, acupuncture, and/or massage therapy.
4) You Spend All Day Sitting Down
If you spend all day sitting down at a desk, whether it be for work or school, the chances are that you experience back, neck, and perhaps shoulder muscle pain. It's also one of the signs you need to see a chiropractor. Pain resulting from sitting down for extended periods is extremely common, and possibly one of the most frequent patient complaints.
When you spend all day sitting, you are prone to slump in your chair, and poor posture is a leading cause of back pain. Chiropractic care is a great way to relieve back pain naturally.
- Additionally, sitting for a long time puts pressure on your lumbar spine, leading to compression that ends up hurting your lower back. Your nearest chiropractor can help treat this pain.
5) You Spend A Lot of Time Looking Down at Your Phone
Yes, looking down at your phone frequently is another leading cause of aches and pains. If you experience pain in your neck or upper shoulders, it's one of the signs you need a chiropractor. Our bodies are naturally designed to be in an upright position most of the time, with head, neck, and shoulders aligned.
- Frequently tilting your head down to look at your phone puts a strain on your spine, leading to pain and headaches.
6) Your Job Consists of Manual Labor
If you work in construction, in a warehouse, landscaping, mechanics, roofing, plumbing, or other jobs that require constant movement, you may need to see your nearest chiropractor. It is common for those who work in these professions to experience lower back pain, along with sore muscles. Workplace injuries are also common and can lead to continued joint or muscle pain.
- A chiropractor can evaluate your spine and muscle health and advise on the best course of treatment.
- Most likely, it will include spine adjustments or soft tissue treatment.
7) You Are on Your Feet All Day
Those who work in restaurants, retail, and other areas of employment that require standing for long periods often experience muscle and back pain. Both of these types of pain are among the signs you need to see a chiropractor. With constant pressure on your lower extremities, it's common for your spine to become misaligned, leading to symptoms a chiropractor can address.
8) You Are an Athlete
Whether you play tennis every weekend, go cycling every day, or run marathons for fun, the chances are that at one time or another, you have experienced pain. Your nearest chiropractor can do much more than treat injuries after they have occurred. They can also provide you with ongoing treatment to keep your muscles and bones in optimal condition, enabling you to perform better on the court, field, or road.
9) You Are Experiencing a Limited Range of Motion
If you are experiencing a limited range of motion in any part of your body due to muscle stiffness, joint pain, or prior injury, it's one of the signs you need to see a chiropractor. Symptoms such as being unable to turn your head entirely in one direction, being unable to move your ankle or wrist properly, or lift your arm are all reasons to schedule an appointment.
10) You Have Frequent Muscle Pain
If none of the above situations apply to you, yet you still experience frequent muscle pain of any kind, it is one of the signs you need a chiropractor. An underlying condition often causes muscle pain. It may be an injury you are unaware of or the result of a misalignment in your spine. See a chiropractor and explain the pain to them. They will ask you a series of questions about your lifestyle and medical history, perform an evaluation, and determine an appropriate treatment plan.
11) You Are Pregnant
Many pregnant women visit their nearest chiropractor when they begin to have back pain, but this is not the only reason to see a chiropractor when you are pregnant. Even if you are not feeling pain, a chiropractor can help make you feel more comfortable by adjusting your spine to gently realign any misaligned areas.
In addition, the baby’s position is affected by your posture. If the bones of the pelvis get used to being in a poor position, it can make it difficult for the baby to move down the birth canal. Chiropractic adjustments can not only help manage pain during pregnancy, but they can also help reduce time spent in labor.
12) You’ve Been Injured in an Accident
If you’ve been injured in an accident, especially if you have non-visible injuries, a chiropractor can help identify your injuries and offer a treatment plan for long-term recovery. Prompt treatment for these injuries can help reduce inflammation and scar tissue that can form inside the body when your muscle fibers are damaged. Scar tissue can be painful, limiting mobility and creating stiffness in the body. In addition, a chiropractor can help prevent chronic pain and safeguard you from further injury.
13) You Need Stress Relief
Some stress is normal, but chronic stress can lead to other issues, such as anxiety, lack of sleep, depression, and illness. Your nearest chiropractor can gently adjust the spine in ways that reduce muscle tension and improve nerve function, helping you feel more relaxed and less stressed. This addresses internal imbalances that could be causing an over-reactive stress response.
14) You Have Chronic Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s normal response to injury, infection, or irritation. Chronic inflammation is different. Your body may have a stronger than needed response that causes inflammation to go on for too long. By adjusting the spine, a chiropractor can eliminate the underlying cause of inflammation. Realigning the vertebrae within the spine helps return your biomechanics to normal and reduces inflammation in the body.
15) You Suffer from High Blood Pressure
You may be surprised to learn that chiropractic care can help control high blood pressure. Spinal misalignment can lead to poor nerve signals that can cause an over-activation of the autonomic nervous system. When the spine is realigned, the autonomic nervous system functions better and improves blood flow, which can help normalize blood pressure.
16) You Have Insomnia or Trouble Sleeping
Lack of sleep, anxiety, and sleeplessness are often locked in a vicious cycle. Depression and anxiety can affect your ability to get enough sleep, while not getting enough sleep can make anxiety and depression worse. Chiropractic manipulation can improve your sleeping patterns, after a visit to your nearest chiropractor, you may find it easier to get to sleep.
17) Your Shoes Wear Out Unevenly
That’s right, take a look a the bottom of your shoes. If you find that the soles wear out differently, your body could be out of alignment and need an adjustment. Uneven wear on shoes is a highly reliable indicator of subluxation in the spine. A chiropractic spinal manipulation to realign your spine will help keep the problem from continuing and turning into a chronic issue.
18) You Feel Tired and Run Down
We often get used to minor pain and discomfort and decide to just ignore it or deal with it until it goes away. However, this can drain your energy without you realizing it. If you feel tired and run down, it may not be due to age, stress, or just being busy. It could be due to unresolved pain that a chiropractor can help relieve. Once a chiropractor addresses the root cause, you’ll return to your usual, energetic self.
Seeing Your Nearest Chiropractor
Once you have decided to see your nearest chiropractor, prepare for your first visit. Whether you have sought chiropractic care in the past or are new to the experience, there are certain factors to take into consideration. If you are pregnant, be sure to find a chiropractor who specializes in prenatal chiropractic treatment.
If you have previously suffered any injuries or have a chronic health condition, it is helpful to bring any medical records or X-Rays you have. The information will provide your chiropractor with a more in-depth look and may save time in devising a treatment plan. Additionally, your chiropractor may request that you get a new set of X-Rays so that they can see your most recent status.
Be prepared to answer questions regarding the type of pain you are experiencing, how long it has lasted, and lifestyle questions. All of these things will help your chiropractor find the underlying cause of your pain and develop the best treatment plan for your unique needs. Chiropractic care is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Also, check out our guide on spotting red flags when choosing a chiropractor.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you are in South Florida and recognize signs you need to see a chiropractor, contact us today. ChiroCare of Florida has offices located throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties with convenient hours, attentive chiropractors, and the most advanced treatment methods in the industry.
We will conduct a thorough evaluation of your needs and devise a treatment plan that you feel comfortable with to manage your pain effectively. We have many options available, including gentle chiropractic, prenatal chiropractic, and methods that do not include spine adjustments.
Find your nearest chiropractor, schedule an appointment, and come on in and see us. You'll be feeling better in no time.
