Chiropractic Care and Its Growing Significance in Pain Management

Chiropractic is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to healing and wellness that addresses the root cause of your pain, not just masking it. It can improve your nervous system’s performance, boost your immune system, ease digestion, enhance cognitive function, assist in healthy pregnancies and bolster athletic performance. Often, patients who seek chiropractic care do so because they are looking for an alternative to pain medications that have potential side effects or even addiction.

Most health insurance companies now cover chiropractic services. However, there are some that restrict access to chiropractors. If you are one of those patients, we recommend finding an in-network doctor to avoid costly copays and coinsurance. The American Chiropractic Association lists the names of chiropractors that are recognized as “in network” with most major health insurance providers.

A new study highlights the value of including chiropractors on multidisciplinary pain teams. The researchers studied a chronic pain patient with severe back problems who was referred to a chiropractic clinic within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The clinicians on her pain team included primary care physicians, behavioral health consultants, and clinical nurse specialists as well as a physiotherapist, physical therapist and a clinical pharmacist.

The patient’s symptoms improved with the addition of chiropractic care and a reduction in her prescription medication usage. Her progress was based on subjective reporting and observation by her healthcare providers; it was not objectively assessed.

Chiropractic care includes spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercises and modalities such as therapeutic ultrasound. Therapeutic ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create heat within muscles and tissues, which promotes blood flow and can alleviate pain. It is particularly useful for musculoskeletal injuries, including those of the neck, shoulder and wrists.

The use of modalities such as massage and heat also contributes to pain relief. These techniques can also help re-establish muscle strength and joint mobility. They can relieve musculoskeletal pain by reducing tension, inflammation and swelling. They can help with flexibility, which can decrease the risk of injury. They can also help with relaxation and stress management, which may reduce pain by easing anxiety and depression.

In addition to helping with pain management, chiropractors can identify any other health conditions that may be contributing to the patient’s health problems. They can then refer the patient to other healthcare providers for appropriate treatment.

Those who are interested in receiving chiropractic care can find a qualified provider at Midtown Family Wellness. Our office has years of experience treating musculoskeletal conditions and can provide you with the best advice for your specific condition. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We are committed to providing you with the highest quality of service and look forward to your visit!