An estimated 65 million Americans experience back pain, 16 million of which report that their pain is chronic. In fact, back pain is one of the leading reasons that American workers miss work.
The question is, why suffer when you could seek out treatment that has little to no negative side effects? Prescriptions aren’t always the answer to pain. Sometimes, what you need is to see a chiropractor.
You may be thinking, “I know other people who have received chiropractic treatment, but I don’t know if that’s right for me.” We’re here to help you clear up any doubts you may have.
Read on for nine clear signs that you should see a chiropractor.
1. You Experience Muscle Pain
The broadest and most far-reaching reason to seek out a chiropractor is when you experience frequent muscle pain, whether you know why or not.
Many of the reasons we list below will cause muscle pain, but the list is not exhaustive. You can experience muscle pain after sleeping in a strange position, performing repetitive motions, recovering poorly from an injury, and more.
No matter the reason, look for the help of chiropractors if you’re experiencing frequent or chronic muscle pain.
2. Your Range of Motion Is Limited
Range of motion is what allows you to move each joint normally without experiencing pain. Your range of motion may be limited by ailments like arthritis, inflammation, and prior injuries. Common limitations include not being able to turn your head from side to side or not being able to lift your arms above your head.
3. You Sit For Most of the Day
Did you know that sedentary lifestyles can cause physical problems? People who work at a desk or get less than 30 minutes of exercise per day often report lower back pain, neck pain, and stiffness. Constant sitting can wreak havoc on your spine, your hamstrings, and the muscles in your back.
Increasing your exercising and stretching throughout the day can help with this problem. However, many people will find that getting chiropractic treatment will be necessary to get over the initial pain.
4. You Stand For Most of the Day
Having to stand all day can cause just as much discomfort as having to sit all day. If you work a manual labor or customer service job, you’re likely on your feet more often than most people.
This can cause lower back pain and put quite a bit of strain on your joints and muscles, especially if you don’t stretch before and after work.
5. You Are Recovering From an Accident
After getting in an accident, your focus is likely on the biggest or most obvious injury you’ve sustained. In some cases, you may assume that you’ve walked away from an accident injury-free, especially if you’re still in a state of shock.
The reality is that many accidents can cause damage to the neck and spine that, if left untreated, can cause longterm issues.
Athletes often sustain spinal damage without realizing it because the pain they endure isn’t considered an “accident” most of the time. If you play a contact sport, remember that all of that tackling can have a longterm impact! See a chiropractor at least once a month to ensure that your body is taken care of.
6. You Have Chronic Pain or Illness
Many chronic conditions come with a variety of pain and inflammation-related symptoms that may be managed by chirpocractic treatment. These can include, but are not limited to, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and sciatica. Consider incorporating chiropractic appointments into your regular treatment to find pain relief.
7. You Look at Your Phone Often
This one sounds a little silly and it’s something that we’re all a little bit guilty of, but it’s true. Looking at your phone, especially if you hold it in your lap or on a table, can cause serious problems.
Why? The human skeleton is meant to remain upright as much as possible. Your spine should remain straight with your neck and head aligned. When we look down for several hours a day (which many of us do without realizing it), we create tension in our neck muscles and put pressure on our spinal column.
8. You Experience Frequent Headaches
Locating the source of frequent headaches or chronic migraines isn’t easy. The first step is often recognizing that the source is not entirely neurological.
Many patients discover, after years of limited success with headache relievers and other prescription medications, that the source is actually their back. If your headaches are caused by the misalignment of your spine or neck vertebrae, seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis can provide much-needed relief.
9. Your Arms or Legs Feel Numb
Pressure on the spine can cause damage to your nerve endings. This can cause feelings of tingling or numbness in your arms, legs, fingers, and toes. If these feelings are sustained for too long, you should seek professional attention from a doctor as well as a chiropractor.
In many cases, that pressure can be alleviated by basic chiropractic treatment. However, numbness of the limbs can indicate a more serious condition that needs specific medical attention.
See a Chiropractor Today
It’s surprising how many Americans struggle with back pain and don’t have it checked out by a chiropractor. It’s perhaps even more surprising how many ailments chiropractic treatment can address that may seem unrelated to our backs and spines altogether. If any of these 9 signs sound familiar to you, see a chiropractor today.
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