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Do Chiropractors only treat backs?

Published on 10 January 2018  | Download | back to previous

This is a common assumption and I can certainly say No. The most common reasons people seek chiropractic treatment is for low back and neck pain. But there are also many other conditions that people seek chiropractic treatment for. The most common include headaches, hip, knee and shoulder conditions.

Around about half of patients at Young’s Spinal Health are seen for low back and neck conditions, the other half make up a myriad of additional musculoskeletal problems. These too can have many causes. For example, a runner with a bad knee could have meniscal (Cartilage) damage, Osteoarthritis, repetitive strain or altered muscle activation due to previous trauma or poor technique. It is the job of the chiropractor to determine the cause and therefore the potential improvement that can be made.

The same goes for the shoulder although this is a very complex joint. It is primarily controlled by the exact muscle activation surrounding the joint as the ball and socket of the bony structure is relatively unstable. It is very important that your practitioner spends time assessing the function and muscle activation this will form the basis of your rehabilitation. The exercises can sometimes seem too easy but they are designed that way to retrain the basic muscle function on which more complex manoeuvres are performed.

It is often very easy to overlook limb pain as you can compensate and avoid painful activities. This too can lead to additional stress and strain to other structures such as the spine.  For this reason we often see people in the clinic after they have experienced limb pain for a number of months and years which has progressed to a more debilitating condition involving one or more other area. This also makes treatment a longer process as your practitioner will almost have to “peel back the layers” of musculoskeletal dysfunction.

Our Chiropractor Laura Young explains “Chiropractic treatment is directed at restoring normal function and reducing the strain on the body. If there are bones, muscles, ligaments and cartilage involved, chances are chiropractic can help”

If you are unsure whether chiropractic is a viable treatment option for you, please contact the clinic and book in for a 5 minute free consultation where you can briefly discuss your problem with one of our chiropractors. We will endeavour to advise you of the route of appropriate care. For all enquiries, please call 01656 856162 or email on enquiries@youngsspinalhealth.co.uk.