Chiropractic

A Doctor Explaining About The Different Spinal Pain

Education

Educational and licensing requirements for Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions.

After receiving their Bachellor's degree, DC's are educated in nationally accredited, four-year doctoral graduate school programs through a curriculum that includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical internship, with the average DC program equivalent in classroom hours to allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools.

Chiropractors are designated as physician-level providers in the vast majority of state (Oregon) and federal Medicare programs. The essential services provided by DCs are also available in federal health delivery systems, including those administered by Medicaid, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the US Department of Defense, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Federal Workers' Compensation, and all state workers' compensation programs.

Woman having pain in neck and back area

What Do Chiropractors Treat?

 

If you are experiencing back or neck pain, you may seek out a Doctor of Chiropractic for an adjustment. However, what you might not realize is just how many other health concerns can be addressed by chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care and techniques are a valued part of a holistic approach to patient care. Chiropractors can address a variety of ailments through adjustments of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. These adjustments help restore proper function and communication throughout the body.

Our Chiropractic Physicians commonly treat spinal injuries, disc pain (bulging, herniation), tendonitis, arm/leg injuries (hip, knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder), whiplash injuries and workplace injuries.  We use non-invasive means to treat injuries through Chiropractic adjustments and other forms of physiotherapy (ultrasound, shockwave therapy, spinal decompression, electro-muscular stimulation, motion guidance laser system and muscular release).

Decreasing Back Pain

Neck and back pain are common ailments treated by a chiropractor, whether from a specific health incident like whiplash or a herniated disc or chronic pain. An experienced chiropractor will perform a thorough examination to determine the source of pain or irritation, provide a diagnosis and develop a specific treatment plan that fits the diagnosis and patient availability.  Our goal is to help our patients return to a normal life and to restore activities that may have been lost due to pain or irritation.

Whiplash from an auto accident can cause neck pain that can become chronic if not treated properly. A chiropractor would provide a non-invasive approach to not only address the pain but also any other underlying issues such as muscular weakness or postural changes.

Often, misalignments in the spinal column can put a strain on neck muscles and nerves, which sends a signal to your body that you are experiencing pain. When a subluxation is properly adjusted, a healthy alignment would relieve muscle tension and allow the body to communicate effectively.

Addressing Everyday Wear and Tear

Many ailments can arise as we go about our day, participate in various physical activities, and put pressure and strain on our bodies, commonly referred to as wear and tear. When a common or repetitive motion becomes an ailment, chiropractic care can address health concerns related to overuse or overextension.

Tennis elbow is one of the most common ailments related to the elbow joint because repetitive motions and overuse can lead to tenderness and pain. A chiropractor addresses areas of inflammation and misalignments affecting nerve function and muscle tension.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is another common symptom of the arm and wrist area, which can be caused by overuse, general wear and tear, and even by a specific injury. When it comes to issues of the joints, chiropractic treatment focuses on increasing mobility. Chiropractors are trained to address whole-body health and they understand how much we depend on the body in our daily lives.

Treating Injuries

Sports injuries are commonly treated by chiropractic care through realigning parts of the body for maximum health and functioning. With an injury, the body has experienced a trauma that may affect not only the alignment of the spine. But it can also put stress and strain on muscles and affect the nervous system’s ability to communicate from the brain to the rest of your body.

At Bend Spinal Care, our team of doctors treats a variety of injuries, from sports injuries to auto accident injuries to injury on the job. Chiropractic plays a large role in the care and treatment of injuries through spinal adjustments and improving the health and function of the nervous system. Because chiropractic care is non-invasive, it can address both short-term and long-term health.

…And More!

At Bend Spinal Care, our highly skilled and qualified team of Chiropractic Physicians have such a wide variety of experience and ability to treat any ailment you present. Our team utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging when necessary to provide additional support to your treatment plan and can also include other medical specialists in our practice to ensure you receive the quality, holistic treatment you deserve.

 

A woman is being helped by a physical therapist.

What Is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment occurs when a chiropractor applies a very quick but gentle movement of your spine.  We're amplifying the sensory signals from your joints and expanding your brain's understanding of how they should be moving again.  It's re-training your brain.   In this process of a chiropractic adjustment, misalignment of the spine is corrected, increase range of motion, decreased pain and release pressure on nerves and blood vessels.  There are special receptors in our joints and muscles that will only activate with a very quick movement.

We use a course of treatment because each treatment effect builds upon the last.  As we retrain your brain and spine to move your body in a healthier way again, deconditioned tissues get stronger.

One of the most common ailments that causes someone to seek out chiropractic care is back pain. Chiropractors are spine specialists, and they work to restore brain-spine communication for healthy functioning.

Adjusting vertebrae in the spinal column allows the body to heal and can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and reduce pressure on the nerves.

Common ailments related to spinal pain and dysfunction include headaches, whiplash, disc bulging/herniation and joint problems. With headaches, a spinal joint may affect the musculature and nerves causing pain receptors to misfire. A chiropractic adjustment can help those suffering from migraines and chronic pain associated with headaches by restoring balance to the body and allowing for better communication along the spinal column.

We use numerous Chiropractic Techniques to adjust the spine and extremities.  Our Chiropractic Physicians have had extensive training and experience in diversified manual adjustments, drop-table, activator, IQ impulse adjusting tool and many other techniques.

Regardless of the specific method used, the goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore brain-body function and allow the body and joint to heal naturally.

It's normal to still get sore at times during the process.  It is just your brain's way of telling you that tissues need to be stronger, and they're still being protected by sensitive receptors.  It's like getting fit again - there's discomfort, but you get stronger with time.

 

What is a Misalignment?

If you’ve ever looked at an anatomy textbook, you might have had the impression that the various systems of your body—skeletal, muscular, nervous, digestive, etc.—are separate from each other. But in fact, your entire body is connected.

And it all starts with the relationship between your spine and your central nervous system.

Your central nervous system consists of two things: your brain and your spinal cord. Your spinal cord runs directly from the brain through the spine, where your peripheral nervous system branches out and runs throughout your entire body.

What we perceive as a misalignment is your brain attempting to stabilize a joint that may be injured or is not functioning normally.  This is normal adaptation to a joint or tissue that may be irritating the body, you may not be aware of the adaptation until the body is unable to adapt further which is when most people begin feeling pain.  Pain is a signal that something is wrong and that the body needs attention and help.  Chiropractic adjustments quickly turn off the guarding mechanisms and restore normal movement and function of the joint and tissues.