Chiropractic electrical stimulation, also known as electrotherapy, is a form of therapy that uses electrical energy to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. It is a non-invasive, painless treatment option that is often used in conjunction with manual adjustments and other forms of chiropractic care to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
One of the most common forms of chiropractic electrical stimulation is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). TENS uses a small device that sends electrical impulses through the skin to stimulate the nerves and reduce pain. This type of therapy is often used to treat chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
Another form of chiropractic electrical stimulation is Interferential Current (IFC) therapy, which uses high-frequency electrical impulses to stimulate the deeper layers of muscle tissue. This therapy can be used to alleviate pain, improve muscle strength, and promote healing. IFC therapy is often used to treat conditions such as muscle spasms, strains, and sprains.
Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is another form of electrotherapy that can be used by chiropractor. It uses low-frequency electrical impulses to stimulate the muscles, which can help to improve muscle tone, increase blood flow and reduce muscle spasms. This therapy is often used in conjunction with manual adjustments and other forms of chiropractic care to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
Chiropractic electrical stimulation can also be used to treat conditions such as incontinence, joint stiffness, and nerve impingements. In addition, it can be used to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in patients with soft tissue injuries or wounds.
It’s important to note that chiropractic electrical stimulation is a medical treatment and should only be administered by a licensed chiropractor. Patients should consult with a chiropractor before starting any form of electrical therapy to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for them.
Many people don’t understand exactly what a chiropractor does. It may seem like they are randomly pressing on your back until there is a pop signaling alignment. However, there is a specific science to how a chiropractor adjusts your joints, along with improving your overall health.
There are over 100 chiropractor treatment options available throughout the world. Each chiropractor chooses up to ten of their favorite treatment techniques to use in their practice. Because of how many chiropractic treatment options there are, if you visit three different chiropractors you may experience completely different ways of aligning your joints. The goal of a chiropractor is to find the best techniques to restore and enhance joint function. They choose techniques they believe best reduces joint inflammation and pain.
Spinal manipulation is a technique that you can hear working with the pop of adjustment. Chiropractors often use their hands to apply force to the misaligned joints in the body positioned in a specific way. There are many different kinds of specialty exam tables that chiropractors use to make sure the body is positioned correctly for adjustment.
There are three popular techniques used for spinal manipulation treatments. The first is a diversified technique where the chiropractor applies a short and quick thrust on misaligned joints one at a time. The goal with this technique is to restore normal range of motion in the joint.
The second technique is called Gonstead adjustment which is similar to diversified technique. The difference is in locating the joint out of line and specifically adjusting the body to best treat it. This is where specially designed chairs and tables are used to position the patient, including the cervical chair or chest-knee table.
The third technique is called the Thompson Terminal Point, more commonly known as Drop. Special treatment tables are in the exam room. There are sections of the table that will drop a short distance when the chiropractor makes a short and quick movement on top of the affected joint. The dropping of the table encourages joint movement. The pop sound common with adjustments may not occur, making the Drop method a form of spinal mobilization with a gentler approach to adjustment.
Spine mobilization is the other main kind of adjustment. It is a more gentle option used for treating certain conditions like osteoporosis. It is also used based on the patient’s size, comfort, preference, and pathology. Some chiropractors prefer spinal mobilization because it does not require any kind of force or body twisting.
There are five main techniques used for spinal mobilization. The activator method requires the use of a hand held, spring loaded manual tool that gives a low force impulse. The patient lies face down on the table while the chiropractor analyzes leg length for hip alignment, tests muscles, and adjusts the spine or joints using the tool.
The second technique is the Cox Flexion distraction which uses gentle adjustment to adjust vertebrae by applying gentle stretches to the lower spine in a series of repetitive and slow movements. This simulates a rocking movement. The McKenzie technique is third and uses a position chosen by the patient to reduce pain.
Release work is when the chiropractor applies gentle pressure with their fingertips to separate the misaligned vertebrae to restore it back to natural positions. Lastly, the Sacro-Occipital Technique involves placing wedges or blocks under the pelvis, allowing gravity and low force from the chiropractor to realign the pelvis.
Manipulation of the spine is not the only treatment method chiropractors use. They also have something called adjunctive therapy. This can include applying heat and cold to fatigued nerves, using electrical stimulation to relax tense muscles, and ultrasounds.
The patient needs to explain their symptoms and any treatment preferences with their chiropractor. From there, the chiropractor will suggest the best treatment options based on their personal case along with knowledge gained from thorough examination and interviewing.
Chiropractor Treatment For Spine Misalignment
The chiropractor treatment is an alternative therapeutic practice that helps ease the various types of pain experienced by the affected individual. Malfunction or misalignment of the spinal joint is one of the main causes for back, neck and hip pain. Although the conventional form of treatment does manage to ease the pain, it is not permanent.
The chiropractor treatment helps in identifying the underlying cause of the problem and this helps in easing the pain permanently. It is a natural way of treating the pain experienced and does not involve invasive surgery and medication. This treatment process has gained a lot of popularity due to this.
Things to Know About Spine Misalignment before Choosing Chiropractor Treatment
The joints in the spine can get misaligned due to various reasons and the chiropractor treatment method can help align it back to the normal shape. The pain that is experienced can be mild or severe depending on the nature of the misalignment.
The misalignment can be caused due to a fall, slip, sports injury, poor posture and lack of exercise, lifestyle habits and accidents. The muscles and joints become stiff and can cause intense pain.
The misalignment of joints in the spine can put pressure on the nerves causing back, neck and hip pain. Many people suffer from chronic headaches due to this. When the spine is aligned properly by the chiropractor, it can help in getting rid of the pain permanently.
How Is Chiropractor Treatment Used For Treating Spine Misalignment?
Spinal adjustment or spinal manipulation is the technique that is used by the chiropractor to help align the spine properly. People experience pain due to the stress on the nerves caused by the misaligned vertebrae. The chiropractor uses controlled thrust and gentle pressure to help soothe the nerves and prevent pain.
The inflammation and muscle spasm is relieved after treatment. The increase in blood circulation helps calm the muscles that are stressed and strengthen the spine. The exact place where the spine is misaligned can be diagnosed by an experienced chiropractor and this may help in providing immediate relief.
The spinal manipulation treatment process involves various types of variations and the procedures depending on the specific symptoms that are experienced. The treatment procedures used by the chiropractor include massage therapy, ultrasound, cryotherapy, electrical stimulation, bracing, physiotherapy, spinal decompression therapy and exercises.
The chiropractor treatment is becoming popular as a holistic and alternate form of treating various types of pain. The conventional treatment method of misalignment of spine involves surgery and medication for a prolonged period of time. Most people continue to suffer the pain by popping pills and this only provides temporary relief. If the misalignment of the spine is not corrected at the earliest stages, it may cause other health problems that are hard to diagnose and treat. The chiropractor ascertains the causes of the pain before the treatment process is started. In this type of treatment, the power of the human body is used in the healing process and this makes it a holistic approach to pain relief.
Chiropractor Techniques For Back Pain
Most chiropractors have a hands-on technique; they do not support surgery or the use of drugs for their practice. Their basic theory is with proper spine alignment, that your body will be able to heal without the need for surgery or medicine. Spinal manipulation is mainly used to ensure mobility for your joints that have been pinched from tissue injuries or repeated stress. The most common of these reasons is having poor back support. It’s creates a lot of stress on your lower back, and usually lends to spots being pinched.
Once you’re admitted into your personal waiting room at the chiropractic office, your chiropractor looks up your medical history, performs medical exams, and peruses any lab tests that have been conducted by your doctor. Once the cause has been identified, the chiropractor’s work can begin. To help relax the plagued area, they usually set you up with an ultrasound to help find the tight spot. Once found, they loosen the knotted muscle with an electrical stimulation tool (which are little electric pads to gently shock the given area to stimulate your nerves and muscles), and that will sometimes solve the problem. But if all else fails, they resort to spinal manipulation, the most common method of relieving patients of back pain. This method is using the ability of manipulating joints back into place with abrupt force. The results include better range for your muscles and joints and improvement in your motions. Sometimes when subtalar instability is an issue, your chiropractor will place a small heel lift in your shoes to help stabilize your pelvis and improve your back posture.
Once all of your joints and muscles have been popped and massaged, your chiropractor will give you clear instructions on different home based exercises you can perform to keep from adding to your injury. They can also prescribe a variety of basic home modifications that include your diet, coping strategies, and how you take care of yourself to decrease the risk of chronic back pain being a long term problem.
In conclusion, chiropractic electrical stimulation is a versatile and effective treatment option for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. It is non-invasive, painless, and has few side effects, making it an excellent choice for patients who are looking for a safe and effective way to manage their pain and improve their overall health and well-being.