Whether you’re a regular patient or have never visited a chiropractor, it’s no secret that they’re an integral part of healthcare: Chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans each year. While chiropractic care is a well-known remedy for back and neck pain, the reality is that chiropractors can assist in the rehabilitation of so much more than spinal discomfort. Read on to learn how a chiropractor might be able to help you find relief in more ways than one.

Back, neck, and joint pain

Sore back? Crick in your neck? Painful shoulder, wrist, or ankle joints? These are among the most common reasons for visiting a chiropractor’s office. Whether your pain is chronic or due to an injury, spinal manipulation can assist in relief from neck, upper back, and lumbar discomfort. Some doctors of chiropractic use manual manipulation of the spine, while others use a mechanical instrument. If you prefer one over the other, be sure to ask about your chiropractor’s chosen method before booking an appointment.

Migraines

If you spend a lot of time on the computer or find yourself clenching your teeth often, you may be a victim of frequent headaches, a leading cause of visits to the chiropractor. Because many migraines and tension headaches stem from the neck, reducing pressure on those trigger points often results in relief of some or all headache pain. Your doctor will likely perform spinal manipulations, but may also offer advice regarding nutrition and posture to prevent the onset of future headaches.

Car accidents

Treating injuries from an auto accident is integral to restoring both physical and emotional health. Some of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents include neck and back pain, whiplash, and other soft tissue injuries. The force caused by an accident can cause lasting pain, so it’s important to visit a chiropractor soon after the incident to assess injuries and create a treatment plan. Your doctor will help relieve pain in the immediate, restore mobility to joints and ligaments, and improve flexibility to prevent reinjury in the future.

Sports performance

Many athletes rely on regular chiropractic care to ensure proper alignment, heal sore joints, and boost performance. In one study, researchers found a six percent increase in athletic performance after a chiropractic treatment. Of course, after an injury, many professional athletes and recreationalists alike also turn to their chiropractor for pain relief and healing. Several common sports injuries push the spine out of alignment, causing back, neck, and head pain in addition to frequent joint pain. A trip to a sports chiropractor can offer relief through spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, and electrical stimulation.

Insomnia and stress relief

The more stress builds, the more it manifests physically, through a misaligned spine, muscle imbalances, and nerve compression. These painful conditions can cause further anxiety and make sleep difficult. Because the spine is the crux of the central nervous system, which connects to the entire body, chiropractic treatments can relieve these conditions, causing both physical and emotional relief and better sleep.

Whether you’re injured, having trouble sleeping, or frequent migraines are keeping you from performing your best at work, a chiropractor can help you find relief that gets you back on your feet and living life to its fullest.