Frisco Chiropractor Services

Chiropractors know what they do because they rely on taking a very hands-on approach to diagnose problems and determine the nature and severity of your pain.

Palpation is one of the most commonly-used techniques chiropractors employ to test for troubled areas. Using their hands, chiropractors feel around, add pressure, and manipulate certain areas and test for pain or discomfort.

Chiropractors also move around appendages to check for range of motion to determine where adjustments need to be made. They might look for symptoms like pain during certain motions, movement restrictions, and unevenness (such as one leg being longer than the other).

Another way chiropractors figure out where you might need an adjustment is by checking your gait and posture. Depending on your posture when you sit and stand and/or how you walk, chiropractors can determine specific areas that need treatment and what procedures you may need to cure those symptoms.

Chiropractic neck adjustments are called cervical manipulations. They are used to loosen up joints in the cervical vertebrae of the neck. This results in a reduction of pain caused by muscle spasms, strains, pinched nerves, or other issues.

Chiropractors will first diagnose your neck pain by checking your overall spine. This is because the source of neck pain is not always where the pain resides. It could be resulting from issues in the mid and lower back.

If a physical exam is not enough to determine what’s wrong with your neck, chiropractors can also employ imaging tests to get a better idea of your body mechanics. This is so they can have a clearer picture of what’s affecting your neck.

(In the event that your neck issues require surgery, your chiropractor will refer you to a spine surgeon).

Below are some spinal manipulation techniques chiropractors use to treat neck problems.

Flexion-Distraction Technique

This is a gentle manipulation technique wherein the chiropractor manipulates your spine using a pumping action on the intervertebral disc (instead of using direct force to create those CRACKS!).

Specific Spinal Manipulation

This is a gentle thrusting technique used for restoring joint movements.

Instrument-Assisted Manipulation

Using a hand-held device, the chiropractor will apply gentle force onto your spine without thrusting into it.

Trigger-Point Therapy

This technique is used to relieve tight and painful points in specific muscles.

Interferential Electrical Stimulation

This technique uses a low-frequency electrical current to stimulate your neck muscles.

Other methods include, but are not limited to, therapeutic massage, manual joint stretching and resistance, and ultrasound (used for relieving stiffness and pain in the neck).

The short answer is very. But let’s look at some proof.

Research studies involving clinical trials of patients with neck pain reported a significant decrease in pain after a chiropractic adjustment.

Researchers reviewed nine published articles from the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics and found strong evidence for chiropractic adjustments in treating neck pain. Patients with chronic neck pain showed significant improvements in pain levels up to 12 weeks after treatment!!

However, your treatment and experience will depend on your specific condition. Depending upon the level of injury, some patients may require long-term care or even surgery!

Chiropractors tend to take a holistic approach to treating back pain. Apart from advice regarding your diet, lifestyle, and exercises, chiropractors treat back pain mainly through spinal adjustment and manipulation.

The method of spinal adjustment your chiropractors employ will depend upon your specific issue.

Here are some of the most common methods.

Lumbar Roll

This is a common realignment procedure used to treat lower back pain.

You lie on your side with the chiropractor facing you. The chiropractor then proceeds to apply precise and rapid thrusts to the affected area, realigning the vertebrae.

Release

This is a general procedure wherein the chiropractor applies gentle pressure down the spine to separate the vertebrae, encouraging free flow of the spinal column. This results in reduced pain.

Toggle Drop

You might be familiar with this technique as it can be found in a lot of YouTube videos. The chiropractor uses a quick, precise thrust to a specific area of the spine. They first cross their hands on the area to be pressed, and then firmly push down using a controlled motion. This improves mobility in the vertebral joints.

Table Adjustments

This spinal manipulation technique makes use of a table consisting of a drop piece (a portion of the table that drops down below the rest).

In this procedure, the chiropractor applies a quick, firm, and precise force to the area that needs alignment. In the process, the table's drop piece lowers—along with you. This allows the force of the thrust to spread along the back, making the adjustment more comfortable for the patient.

Table adjustments are best for unlocking the spine and reducing back pain.

Flexion-Distraction

This method is used on patients with disc-related injuries.

The patient lays down on a specially-designed table that stretches their spine. Using a gentle pumping rhythm, the chiropractor manipulates the spine in the affected area.

This moves the disc away from the nerves, which then reduces pain and inflammation.

Pelvic Blocking

In this procedure, the chiropractor places cushioned wedges under each side of the pelvis. Using specific movements, the chiropractor uses gravity to separate the spinal disc from the nerves, thereby treating pain.

Anesthetic Manipulation

In this method, spinal manipulations are done on a patient under sedation. It’s typically used for patients who don’t respond well to other methods.

This method is used as a last resort and for folks with more intense back issues resulting from injury or other trauma. It’s done in conjunction with other release techniques.

In addition to neck and back pains, chiropractors can treat tension headaches, migraines, whiplash, sacroiliac pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, and many other issues not related to the back.

As mentioned before, some pains result from issues in other parts of the body. Treating these areas has a carryover effect of curing the area of pain.

Remember that when you visit a chiropractor, they’re not simply there to “crack your spine” and make you feel good. Their job is to ensure that you receive a holistic treatment so that all your joints are strong, pain-free, and functioning at full capacity.