What is a chiropractor?

The chiropractor is the person who performs the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of problems in the nerves, muscles and bones, through a set of manual techniques that aim to improve flexibility, reduce pain and restore normal functioning of the vertebrae , the muscles and the ligaments.

Chiropractic techniques may be indicated as a treatment for the correction of body posture and the relief of migraines and pain in the joints, such as backrest, rodilla or shoulder, for example.

In addition to contributing to the reduction of pain in some areas of the body, the chiropractor also promotes relaxation and general well being, and that manual therapies help to reduce muscle tension, which is very common in cases of stress or anxiety.

What happens to a chiropractor

The chiropractor applies chiropractic or chiropractic techniques, which can be carried out in isolation or to complement other types of medical treatments and, in general, these techniques are indicated for the following conditions:

• Dolor en el cuello;
• Pain in the back;
• Pain in the shoulders;
• herniated disc;
• Lumbar pain;
• Osteoarthritis;
• migration.

The chiropractor performs certain manual manipulation techniques that can recover the proper movement of the spine and other parts of the body, achieving that the pain is relieved.

Technical tips also reduce muscle tension, increasing blood flow and reducing blood pressure, which provides a feeling of relaxation and well being.

Find out about other activities that promote relaxation.

How is chiropractic performed

The chiropractic must be performed by a professional trained in the area, and before starting the sessions, an assessment of the person must be carried out so that their current issues are analyzed and their personal and family medical history is known. This analysis helps the chiropractor to understand if this technique is really indicated for the problem or if it is necessary to recommend a medical consultation with a specialist, such as an orthopedist or a rheumatologist, for example.

Initially, the chiropractor can also carry out an evaluation of posture and analyze the joints, observing the flexibility and amplitude of the movements. After the first evaluation, the professional will indicate a treatment protocol, which consists of a series of sessions defined according to the problem of the person.

During the session, the chiropractor performs a set of movements in the spine, muscles, ligaments and tendons, stimulating the joints. In addition, he can also provide exercise guidelines for postural correction and muscle relaxation techniques so that the person can do them at home.

See a series of exercises to improve posture at home.

Differences between chiropractic and osteopathy

Despite the use of similar techniques, chiropractic should only be practiced by people trained to do so, as they do not require to be professionals in health. Similarly, chiropractic manipulation techniques are more focused on changes in muscles, vertebrae and tendons.

On the other hand, osteopathy also uses manipulation techniques, but it is a specialization that only the physical therapist can practice. Osteopathy also more fully evaluates other aspects such as the quality of the skin, the health of the arteries and the functioning of the intestine, for example.

Contraindications of chiropractic

Chiropractic is not indicated for people who have a problem of instability in the spinal cord, severe herniated discs accompanied by sensation of tingling and loss of strength, or fractures that are not in the recovery process, or in individuals who use anticoagulant drugs, which tengan cancer en los huesos, high risk of cerebrovascular accident u severe osteoporosis.

When these techniques are performed by a trained professional, the risks for health are very little, and the symptoms that may arise during chiropractic sessions include pain, discomfort in the handling area, seas, headache or nausea; however, these effects last a maximum of 48 hours.

However, in certain cases, the ideal is to go first to an orthopedist or rheumatologist, especially when pain is accompanied by sleep or loss of strength in arms or legs.