7 Signs It May Be Time to Visit a Chiropractor

When something is wrong, your body tells you about it. From aches and tension to throbbing pain, it’s clear when you need to pay extra attention—but it’s not always clear what to do about it. If you’re on the fence about chiropractic care, here are seven signs you should trust a chiropractor with your pain treatment.

1. Chronic Back Pain

Back pain can become a problem for several reasons, from a single wrong movement to the wrong mattress to constant poor posture. When you experience acute pain, or pain that recedes in a few days or weeks, it’s not necessarily a reason to call a chiropractor. However, if your pain lasts for more than six months, or if it worsens despite your efforts to rest or relieve the pain, you’ll want to see us as soon as possible.

2. Frequent Headaches

Headaches may seem like a minor inconvenience to those who don’t have them, but if you’ve ever had a bad headache on a busy day, you know how much it can affect your mood and productivity.

There are several causes for headaches, from stress to poor sleep, but you might be surprised to know that many headaches and migraines stem from issues with the neck and spine. Tension or stiffness in the neck, inflammation in the upper spine, and other related issues can cause the frequent headaches you’re experiencing—meaning that they won’t go away until you address the underlying issue.

With a chiropractor’s help, you can alleviate the tension in your neck and spine that causes your pain.

3. Joint Pain

For most of us, joint or muscle pain is a reason just to take painkillers, not see a doctor. When acute joint or muscle pain comes from a sprain or pulled muscle, this is often enough to relieve the ache and allow us time for the problem to heal.

However, when joint or muscle pain becomes frequent, it’s a good idea to seek expert advice. While chiropractors are best known for treating problems related to the spine, they’re also equipped to help with chronic muscle and joint pain, which can be related to your spinal health. Issues with your knees, shoulders, and hips, for example, are often linked to complications of the spine.

4. Limited Range of Motion

If you’re otherwise healthy but notice chronic stiffness or a limited range of motion, you may be wondering what can be done. Common examples of limited motion include difficulty bending, turning your head, or reaching over your shoulder.

When visiting a chiropractor for the first time, you’ll get expert help that allows you to understand the issue at hand. Often, the problem lies with tension in the spine, muscles, or joints, any of which can be related to past injuries as well. With chiropractic treatment, you’ll be able to broaden your range of motion over time.

5. Sedentary Lifestyle

Sedentary jobs are more common than ever, but the repercussions of not moving enough cause great harm to your health. Five days per week sitting hunched over a keyboard can wreak havoc on your spine—and that’s in addition to your time spent commuting, sitting in front of the television, or scrolling through updates on your phone.

While you may associate chiropractic care with injuries or chronic pain, spinal alignment can also help you improve both your posture and the stress you’re putting on your spine. Plus, working with a chiropractor can even help you learn what types of posture to stick to or to avoid, allowing you to improve your health on your own going forward.

6. An Injury

Whether you’ve experienced a fall, a car accident, or another common incident leading to injury, your first instinct is to recuperate and recover. For most, the pain recedes over time—but for some, even a simple injury can cause chronic pain over several months or even years.

When you’re worried about lingering pain, it’s a good idea to visit a chiropractor. This is especially true after you’ve been in a car accident, as chiropractic evaluations can uncover hidden injuries and issues you may not be aware of. With a chiropractor’s help, you can heal and recover your range of motion with less guesswork.

7. Footwear Issues

If you’ve ever noticed that your shoes wear out unevenly, you may have dismissed the fact as an oddity. However, many people aren’t aware that this uneven wear can actually be a sign of spinal alignment issues.

To make sure your body gets back into alignment, a chiropractor can make adjustments and prescribe custom orthotics to help with any pain or tension you’re experiencing.

Visit a Chiropractor for Your Pain

At the end of the day, pain and tension are the main reasons people see a chiropractor—but it helps to understand all the ways chiropractic care can help! Contact us today.