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Spinal Decompression
Therapy
Before
the course of treatment, the patient will always be
examined thoroughly. The purpose of the examination
is to decide whether the problem qualifies for chiropractic
treatment and also to make as precise a diagnosis as
possible.
Patient's
History:
The chiropractor will ask questions to get as accurate
a picture of the problem as possible. The patient may
be asked about working conditions, previous diseases,
operations, medicine taken, as well as general questions
about their lifestyle.
Examination:
Before the examination, the patient will be asked to
undress so that the chiropractor can see the whole body.
Often, the patient's blood pressure and pulse will be
taken. The chiropractor may listen to the patient's
heart and lungs or conduct other examinations.
Then
the patient's problem will be examined in detail, for
instance by orthopedic (bone) and neurological (nerve)
tests and by testing the patient's joint and muscle
functions.
X-ray
Examination:
It may be necessary to X-ray the part of the body where
the patient is experiencing problems.
Treatment
at a chiropractor is usually painless and, contrary
to popular belief, seems completely normal and un dramatic.
The chiropractor will choose the most appropriate treatment
for the patient's problem.
Manipulation
Treatment:
Manipulation
is the chiropractor's most important technique. With
his or her hands, the chiropractor moves a joint a little
further than the patient would be able to do on their
own.
The
vacuum that exists in most joints in the body is overcome
and small bubbles of gas are created in the synovial
fluid between the joints. These bubbles can cause the
audible 'snap' that can often accompany manipulation.
This sound is not caused by bones grating against each
other or by something being torn.
The
purpose of this treatment is to normalize the functions
of the joints and muscles and to ease, or remove, pain.
Soft Tissue Treatment:
The
chiropractor also treats the soft tissues of the body
- the muscles and tendons. This may be done by different
forms of massage and stretching.
Training:
An important part of chiropractic treatment is
to teach the patient how to take care of their own body.
The patient may be given a program of exercises to be
done at home.
Recent
research shows that special training under supervision
from educated personnel is valuable for patients with
persistent pains in their back and neck. This kind of
training now forms part of the treatment offered by
many chiropractors.
Prevention:
Once
the problem has been relieved, it is important to prevent
similar problems arising in the future. The chiropractor
will talk to the patient to identify any strains that
their body is exposed to, eg at work, home or playing
sport.
It
may be necessary for the chiropractor to contact the
person's work place or sports club. Aids or supports
may also need to be purchased.
What
does a chiropractor treat?
Most
people will consult a chiropractor because of pains
in their back and neck. But poor functioning of the
muscles and joints can affect people in many ways.
The
nervous system may also be affected and this can cause
other symptoms, such as headaches from tension, sciatica
and pains in the legs, chest or stomach.
Badly
functioning joints and muscles may cause pains in areas
other than where the problem is situated. These are
called referred pains. The chiropractor also treats
referred pain in, for example, shoulders, elbows, hips,
knees and feet.
Babies
who cry a lot may also have problems that can be treated
by a chiropractor.
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