Many people might not realize that chiropractors perform treatments specifically designed to help relieve pain. If a patient is feeling pain, especially in the spine or pelvic region, it could be due to a misalignment, pinched nerve, or both. Issues like tennis elbow or tendonitis, both of which can cause a dull ache in a limb, can be treated by effective chiropractic care.

Each patient should discuss his or her pain and symptoms with a chiropractor to find the treatment that will best relieve that pain. One of the biggest benefits of these treatments is that unlike pills, medications, and injections, chiropractic treatment is completely natural. Here are the top treatments for dealing with pain naturally:

1. Spinal adjustments – Some of the most common back pain issues come from a misalignment in the spine. The vertebrae are delicate and their balance is delicate. Even everyday activities like sitting too long, sleeping in an odd position, or standing with poor posture can affect the spine and cause it to become misaligned. An adjustment is designed to get the spine back into its most natural alignment, eliminating the pressure that often causes pain for patients.
2. Massage therapy – Massages are not just relaxing. For those that struggle with chronic pain, massages might be a necessary and very useful treatment. Stress is not just mental, it can affect you physically, usually in the muscles. This tension can cause aches and pains all over the body, but often manifests in the form of neck aches and tension headaches. It can even cause migraines and other serious issues. Massage can help to relieve the body of this stress. When the muscles are relaxed, the body is at a lower risk for injury.
3. Stretching exercises – Everyone knows that stretching is an integral part of exercise. It helps to loosen up the body, so that the exertion that comes along with exercising does not strain or damage the muscles and ligaments. It also helps to relieve soreness and can improve the alignment of the musculoskeletal system, making it just as important after exercising as it is before exercising. Stretching may also help to relieve a number of other issues, when done correctly, especially under the direction of a skilled chiropractor that understands the utility of stretching.
4. Mobilization – Pain can often immobilize a joint. For example, if a patient is experiencing pain in their shoulder, they will likely avoid using that shoulder, which will hinder them not just during their favorite activities (including the activity that caused the pain in the first place), but also during their everyday life. Mobilization is a combination of adjustment and stretching that helps to restore a range of motion to the joints that have been affected by this pain.
5. Heat and cold – Along with adjustments and other treatments, a chiropractor might use heat or cold therapy to help a patient manage pain. Cold can help to numb an area that is experiencing pain, while heat can improve blood flow, which should promote healing in an area of injury. This is a common technique for treating relatively acute injuries that simply need rest in order to heal but that are also causing the patient pain.

For more information about natural treatments for pain or to schedule an appointment, contact Horst Chiropractic today.