Category: Public Health Tips

What is Sports Medicine?

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By , December 7, 2021 12:35 pm

Sports medicine is a sub specialty of the medical field that is somewhat confusing to some people. Because of the fact that sports is not medicine, it is a bit of a misleading term however the term is intended to represent the doctors and other medical staff who are in the practice of treating and diagnosing athletes and sports related injuries.

The professionals who are actively involved in the sports medicine field ranges from standard doctors, physical therapists, surgeons, and even athletic trainers and other similar careers. Sports tend to be a highly competitive field, and as such most emphasis is placed upon speedy as well as complete recoveries from any injuries. This could mean that an injury that would take normally 3 months to heal can be reduced to only 2 months using the appropriate sports medicine techniques under a qualified doctor’s care.

Most doctors who practice sports medicine treat athletes both professional, amateur and often children for the various injuries that occur while playing any sport imaginable. The human body is designed to quickly heal following most injuries if an appropriate treatment is followed, and sports medicine is intended to speed the recovery process as much as possible. Many sports medicine doctors are also actively involved in giving athletes preventive care as well which is designed to reduce the occurrence of many common injuries.

Doctors who are interested in sports medicine come from a wide range of fields including cardiology, orthopedic surgery, biomechanics and even pulmonology just to name a few. The exact specialty of the doctor is often quite focused while the majority of patients are all involved in sports in one capacity or another. The roll of the doctor is often to work with the athlete to adjust training procedures to reduce the risk of injury while increasing the skill level of the athlete as much as safely possible.

There are some sports medicine doctors who are specializing in treating female athletes while others will treat both female as well as male athletes. Deciding upon the best sports medicine doctor for your needs can involve meeting several doctors before finding someone whom you are comfortable with. Many athletes develop a close relationship with their doctor so that the best possible athletic results are achievable.

By working together with training coaches and other athletic professional’s doctors in the sports medicine field are able to help athletes achieve the best possible results performance wise, while still maintaining healthy standards in terms of overall health. Achieving spectacular sports results is often meaningless if the athlete is always injured in the process, or if the overall health is neglected and the athlete is unable to continue in their chosen sport.

As you can imagine, the number of athletes who only work with a single sports medicine doctor are very slim. Most athletes work with a team of doctors that comprise of various sub-specialties such as surgical, dietary, cardiogologist and anything else that may be needed. Each doctor is responsible for helping the athlete, and this helps to ensure that each doctor is well trained in their specialty. Using a single doctor as opposed to the entire team can greatly limit the options that you have for treatment.

However, while an entire team is generally used to treat patients in sports medicine, there is usually a general care doctor who is given the task of heading the team and sending each patient to the specific additional doctors that they need to see based upon their individual needs. This helps to avoid confusion, chaos and other problems from occurring. Over all sports medicine is a fascinating and very necessary field that most can agree is quite helpful for athletes.

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Chiropractic Care: What to Expect

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By , December 4, 2021 7:42 am

Do you suffer from constant pain and discomfort? For most, this is due to an injury. For others, there is no explanation. Pain can easily be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, but relief is short lived. Since pain relievers do have risks, especially with prolonged use, it is important to seek proper medical care. One of your options is chiropractic care.

If you weren’t already aware, chiropractic care is a form of medicine. Some classify it as alternative medicine, as the treatment options are very different. Most notice a difference between the care provided by a chiropractor and a primary care physician. Chiropractors believe in manual therapy. This is therapy with the use of the hands. Common methods of solving pain problems include therapeutic massages and manipulation. For example, neck pain may be treated with a neck realignment.

If you like the sound of chiropractic care, the first step is to schedule an appointment. Chiropractors can be found online with a standard internet search or an online business directory. Most are also listed in the yellow pages of local phone books, under the heading of physicians or chiropractic care. If you have a number of local options, look for the best care with the most affordable price. Some insurance providers do cover chiropractic care. If covered by insurance, speak to a representative to see if your care qualifies for coverage and to familiarize yourself with in-network providers.

Not long after making your appointment, you will arrive for it. The wait can be as short as two days, but as long as two months. The more chiropractors you have in your area, the shorter the wait should be. As for your first visit, it will be similar to a consultation appointment. Your chiropractor will take your medical history. They may take your blood pressure, measure your height and weight. Your source of pain will be examined, like your neck, hands, knees, or feet.

Some chiropractors can diagnose a problem by simply looking at or feeling your source of pain. However, additional tests may be needed. These may include an MRI or x-ray. Some chiropractors will begin treatment immediately, but you may need to return for an additional appointment. It will depend on the length of your appointment, the type of care needed, and how soon a course of treatment was decided on.

As for the second appointment, this depends. As previously stated, treatment may have started right away. If not, it will start here at the second appointment. Once again, treatment depends on the diagnosis made. If your chiropractor wants to treat your neck pain with realignment, they will start the manipulation. If ongoing therapeutic massages were recommended, your treatment will start.

After the initial treatment has been performed, it is important to communicate with your chiropractor. For example, if regular therapeutic massages are needed, you automatically know that continued care is needed. On the other hand, if your neck was realigned, you may mistakenly believe you are done. Despite the common misconception, chiropractic care does not always translate into continued care, but there are benefits. After a neck realignment, therapy may be needed. Patients regain mobility they never had before; it takes time and practice to readjust to it.

In addition to wondering about chiropractic care visits, many patients are also curious about payment. Not all insurance providers cover chiropractic care. And, not all chiropractors choose to work with insurance providers. If you are uninsured and paying out-of-pocket, this will not be a concern for you. Instead, examine your available payment options. They do vary. Some care centers accept credit cards, debit cards, and checks, while others only take cash.

Returning back to insurance coverage, do not make any assumptions. Always speak to an insurance provider first. If chiropractic care is covered, determine by how much. Do you need to pay for a percentage of treatment costs or just a co-pay? Can you seek care from any chiropractor or must you work with an in-network provider? These are all questions you need answers to before scheduling an appointment.

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Chiropractic Care: Your Second Visit

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By , December 1, 2021 2:42 am

You made the first step of seeking long-lasting pain relief from a chiropractor. You made an appointment and went. So, what comes next? Most chiropractors encourage a second appointment. If yours makes the suggestion, what can you expect?

The review of findings. Typically, your first chiropractic appointment will be used to gather your medical history and diagnosis the problem. This may have involved an MRI or x-ray. Some chiropractors can diagnose a problem immediately, but others may review your tests and physical exam in between your first and second appointment. At your second appointment, they will review the findings with you. For example, if you suffer from ongoing headaches, the problem may be poor posture, stress, or muscle contractions that resulted in spinal distortion.

Treatment plan outline. After reviewing their findings with you, your chiropractor will discuss treatment options. Together, you will decide on a short or long-term course of treatment. For example, headaches caused by daily stress may require regular therapeutic massages. Headaches caused by muscle contractions and spinal distortion may require a neck adjustment.

Questions. After hearing the report of findings and hearing your chiropractor’s preferred choice of treatment, you will likely have many questions. This is the time to ask. In fact, your chiropractor should ask you if you questions. What should you ask? Anything. If you are worried about pain, ask if you will feel it. Are you curious if you need one treatment or continued care? If so, ask. Your chiropractor should explain your treatment option, such as an adjustment, realignment, or therapeutic massage. If you didn’t get a detailed explanation, ask for more information.

Treatment may start. As previously stated, some chiropractors can diagnose and start treatment in the first appointment. This all depends on the length of your appointment, your doctor’s preferences, and the severity of the problem. If treatment did not already start, it will now. For example, if your doctor recommends neck adjustment to treat ongoing headaches, they will properly position you and use precision force of the hands to force the joints back into place. When properly done, this should reduce or eliminate pain.

Expectations. After treatment, your chiropractor will highlight expectations. Even if ongoing care is not needed, you still need to take care of your body. You cannot help a car accident or arthritis, but you can stop pain due to poor posture and stress. If ongoing care is not required, your chiropractor will still stress the importance of returning if the pain does. You will be shown natural ways to avoid pain. For example, if poor posture caused your back pain, your chiropractor should show you the proper way to sit. Listen and take their advice.

Financial issues. Some chiropractors prefer to discuss financial issues at the first appointment, but others wait. If onetime treatment is enough, financial issues may not be a problem. They can be with continued care. For example, those with rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from regular therapeutic massages and may need yearly adjustments. Those without insurance can have difficulty making payments. Some chiropractors will agree to affordable monthly payments.

End of session. At the end of your session, your chiropractor should once again ask you if you have any questions or concerns. If you do, now is the time to ask. If continued care is required, you will need to schedule a third appointment. Do this before leaving the office. If continued care is not required, still take the business card handed to you. Chiropractic care fixes the problem at the source, so pain should subside, but there are no guarantees it will not return.

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What If You Don’t Like Your Chiropractor

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By , November 27, 2021 10:02 pm

Chiropractic care has many benefits. A chiropractor can do more than just alleviate the pain and discomfort of a joint or muscle. Chiropractic care can treat and manage allergies, arthritis, sleep difficulties, earaches, scoliosis, and more. Essentially, if anything is causing you pain or stress, chiropractic care can help. For that reason, you may be one of the millions of individuals who seek treatment. But, what if you get a chiropractor you don’t like?

First, examine your reasons for not liking him or her. Be sure you have a good reason. As previously stated, chiropractic care has many benefits. It is usually less intimating than traditional medical care, but some still find it overwhelming. Don’t let your fear of seeking treatment mistakenly translate into dislike for your care provider.

As stated above, you should have a legitimate reason for not liking your chiropractor. Two good examples include blame and not listening. Do you need to constantly discuss your pain with your chiropractor? Are they not listening to your explanation of trigger factors or answering your questions? You should not need to constantly repeat yourself. Yes, chiropractors do see many patients, but your medical history is recorded or at least it should be.

As for blame, this is common with parents. Has your child been suffering from lower back pain for years? Poor posture or a heavy backpack may be to blame. At first, you may have written off your child’s pain and discomfort as normal growing pains. As the pains continued to get worse or increased in frequency, you may have visited a local chiropractor. You thought you were doing good, but the chiropractor criticized you for waiting so long. This should not happen. In terms of chiropractic care, early is best, but better late than never.

So, what should you do if you truly do not like your chiropractor?

Voice your concerns. A problem cannot be corrected if it isn’t first addressed. Unfortunately, this can be difficult for some. Most chiropractors run their own businesses, meaning they are the boss. You have to voice your concerns directly to the individual who irritates you or makes you uncomfortable. Do it. Most chiropractors have great people skills, but not all do. If yours unintentionally offended you, he or she will try to rectify the problem and prevent it from happening again.

Find a new chiropractor. If you fear discussing your concerns with your chiropractor or do and do not see any changes, it may be time to find a new doctor. If covered by health insurance, contact your insurance provider to get a list of chiropractic care centers in your area. Research your options and read reviews online. Ask those that you know for suggestions. You will have to start again and redo all paperwork, undergo new evaluations, and decide on a new course of treatment, but you should get a new doctor that you feel more comfortable with.

Now that you know what to do if you don’t like your chiropractor, what should you not do?

Don’t stop seeking care. Not all chiropractors are the same. One may blame you for not seeking care immediately, but most will not mention a word. In fact, some will comment that it is better late then never. Some chiropractors will remember every word you say and others will seem like they could care less. Just because you may get “one bad apple,” don’t give up on this beneficial care.

Do not stop showing up for your appointments. For continued care, appointments are scheduled in advance. You may already have two or three appointments scheduled. If you want to change providers, do it. Cancel all appointments first. If you don’t, you may be charged for them anyways.

In conclusion, not all chiropractors are the same. A healthy relationship with yours is important to successful treatment. If you are dissatisfied with the treatment received, voice your concerns or find a new provider. If at any point you feel in danger or harassed by your provider, contact the authorities or the American Chiropractic Association (ASA).

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The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

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By , November 24, 2021 4:35 pm

You may have heard that chiropractic care has many benefits, especially when compared to traditional forms of healthcare. Although chiropractic care is increasing in popularity and is being accepted as a valid form of healthcare, as opposed to just alternative medicine, you may wonder about the claims. Are they true? What are the benefits of seeing a chiropractor?

The pain stops. Most patients experience a significant reduction, if not a complete elimination in pain after seeing a chiropractor. It all depends on the individual in question, the source of their problem, and the treatment offered. Those suffering from osteoarthritis are always susceptible to pain, as there is no cure. With that said, therapeutic massages overtime can help relieve the pain. Headaches caused by spinal distortion can be treated with a onetime neck adjustment.

Mobility improves. Chiropractors specialize in helping those in pain and those with decreased mobility. Often times, a joint just needs to be popped into place. This sounds simple enough, but the technical term is a chiropractic adjustment. When the joints are in proper alignment with the spine, they work better. So, patients typically experience an improvement in mobility and movement.

Can treat a wide range of complications that cause pain and discomfort. When it comes to pain and discomfort, we often think of car accidents and sports injuries. Many medical conditions cause pain or discomfort. Arthritis was used as an example above. Additional problems that chiropractic care can treat include sleep difficulties, allergies, scoliosis, earaches, severe menstrual cramps, and headaches.

The symptoms aren’t masked. When visiting a primary care physician to seek pain relief, most just recommend over-the-counter or prescribed pain pills. These are not a solution. They temporarily mask the problem, not treat it. Chiropractic care is based on the belief that natural care is best. It relies on manual therapy. With the use of the hands, a trained professional cannot only relieve pain, but stop the problem at the source.

Chiropractic care is a form of natural medicine. A chiropractor will not discourage patients from seeking temporary relief from over-the-counter pain products, but the focus is temporary. It should only be used until a chiropractor can see a patient. Also, these professionals do not prescribed medication. Yes, they cannot do so legally, but they do not feel the need to. Treatment and care involves the hands, not unnatural medicines.

Chiropractic care is safe. As previously stated, chiropractic care is a form of natural healthcare. You are not prescribed medications and you will not have your blood drawn. A doctor may use an MRI or an x-ray to diagnose a problem, but that is about it. The hands and the hands alone perform treatment. For that reason, there are no risks of complication, death, or infection. You are not discouraged from seeing your primary care physician for other medical issues, but if it involves pain, discomfort, and difficulty moving, a chiropractor is the safest way to seek treatment.

It is ideal for individuals of all ages. Most primary care physicians suggest medicine, but there are many risk and side effects. This is particularly true for young children and the elderly. Many prescribed medications provide only temporarily relief and they have many side effects. These medications may interact with others, causing additional complications. Since chiropractic care is 100% natural, there are no risks. This means that care is ideal for individuals of all ages, including the young, the elderly and pregnant women.

Chiropractors are well educated and trained professionals. One mistake that people make is thinking they can perform chiropractic care at home. After all, it involves the use of hands and we have them. Yes, this is true, but there are many dangers to performing this care at home, especially with chiropractic adjustments. One wrong move and a lot of damage could result. Chiropractors operating in the United States are trained individuals who have received the proper schooling and undergone the proper tests. Always opt for a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), as you get the best and safest level of care.

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What the Future of Sports Medicine Holds

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By , November 21, 2021 11:35 am

As sports medicine has developed over the years, the ideas of how to study and analyze both the athletes and their injuries has increased as well. As time progresses even further, this study is increased as new advances in medicine, training methods and even treatment options are further explored. What seems like science fiction now can very well become a real treatment in the future.

The idea of sports medicine is very unlikely to waiver. The primary reason being sports are such an integral part of life that most people simply cannot imagine their lives without them. This creates the need to continuously improve upon treatment options for injuries, and also leads to even further research and development required to help reduce the number of injuries that are experienced. While many forms of medicine are simply studying the treatment options heavily, and relying less on preventing problems sports medicine is focused on the long term commitment to athletes by reducing the risks of injury overall through proper training and fitness.

Continuously working to improve fitness and training techniques has ensured that regardless of the treatment options offered, sports medicine has secured itself a very safe home in the medical field. With thousands of new athletes each year starting sports there are always new injuries, as well as new considerations to take into account. These differences can often be a huge aspect when compared to the age of the athlete. Children tend to have more injuries at times, which is due to underdeveloped bones and muscles, while adults tend to have more serious injuries and take much longer to fully heal.

Combining all of the current research with the developments in surgery, fitness, and dietary fields allows sports medicine to continue to grow and encompass the majority of the athlete’s life. The desire to play sports for many is not simply a hobby, so selecting a doctor that views it as merely a hobby is unwise. Doctors in the sports medicine field are usually highly dedicated to their work. Putting forth diligent effort to reduce the amount of time to treat injuries, and helping improve the body following an injury are all continuous processes that undergo essential development.

Some of the biggest breakthroughs of recent sports medicine will eventually be classified as obsolete and new, exciting techniques and principals will replace them. Deciding how to carefully advance the research is in the hands of the well-trained doctors who have made it their life’s work to help each and every athlete improve their overall health and fitness levels.

From studying exercises to make small adjustments for a positive impact on the entire body, to making slight changes in the way surgery is performed to allow faster recovery times, to even increasing the effort put forth to ensure all athletes are following a healthy diet there is plenty of room for improvements and advances.

In addition to studying the body of the athlete themselves, sports medicine is starting to encompass the rules and structure of games themselves. For example, after a recent study of softball it was determined that breakaway bases should be used to help protect the players. This one small change was estimated to help reduce athlete injuries by as much as 90%. As you can see, sports medicine is encompassing so much more than simply traditional medical aspects as it moves towards the future.

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Questions to Ask When Selecting Your Sports Medicine Doctor

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By , November 18, 2021 7:04 am

Just as cars are not created equally, and neither are sports shoes there are some rather large differences between sports medicine doctors. The good news is this creates huge amounts of diversity; the bad news is that this can create numerous problems with finding someone who is well qualified to treat sports related injuries and help prevent injuries from occurring. To help you find the best sports doctor to help you meet your needs, use these questions as a guideline when you are interviewing doctors.

You should first ask your doctor how long they have been treating athletes. This should be at least several years if you are looking for experience, do not expect someone with less than 3 years of experience to be very helpful. If you decide to use a doctor new to the field, be aware that they should be cheaper and willing to work closely with you.

It is also wise to ask your doctor if they are currently the official team physician for any teams in your area. If they say yes, ask what teams so that you can contact the coach for a reference. Remember, if the coach does not give a positive reference that is still an excellent opportunity of information. Find out exactly why they do not recommend the doctor you are considering so that you can gather as many facts as possible.

Ask your potential doctor if they are a member of any special organizations such as the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine. Memberships into these groups typically require credentials to be verified in order for acceptance, this helps to keep only the better doctors amongst membership ranks.

You should also ask if your doctor has attended any specialized training courses. Some examples are the American College of Sports Medicine team physician training course as well as the course that is offered by the US Olympic Committee. If they have not attended any special programs this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is worth noting for your own piece of mind.

A very important question that you should ask is what percentage of the practice is pertaining to sports medicine. Unless the doctor is a sports medicine specialist, you should not expect to hear 100% and even if they are a specialist, they are unlikely to really have a 100% level. Most practices are as low as only 30%

Ask if the doctor has any particular specialties. For example, there are doctors who specialize in orthopedic surgery, as well as various other medical fields. If you are just looking for a basic sports medicine doctor then often choosing a family practice or even an internal medicine doctor is the best decision. From the primary doctor that you choose you can receive referrals to other doctors as they become necessary.

Your final consideration should be looking for a doctor that is willing to meet with you before you filling out any paperwork. This means that they should be willing to do an interview, preferably free where you can talk to them for a few minutes to learn about them, their experience, and their practice. Many doctors do this, especially those who are pediatricians. This means that your sports medicine doctor should be willing to have an initial interview as well. Using this to your benefit means you can ask your questions and see how comfortable you are before you actually need their services.

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How to Lessen Your Fear of Going to the Chiropractor

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By , November 15, 2021 2:01 am

Do you need to seek pain relief from a chiropractor? If this is your first time seeking chiropractic care, you may be both excited and overwhelmed. You want a pain-free life, but any new medical treatment is scary. You have nothing to fear about this natural healthcare, but it may be difficult to stop your mind from wandering. So, how can you lessen your fear of going to the chiropractor?

Know that they are real medical professionals. It is widely accepted now, but in the past it was touted as a form of alterative medicine. These are real medical professionals, just like your primary care physician. They just specialize in all-natural pain relief with manual therapy. Someone cannot just wake up and decide to be a chiropractor. Years of schooling, training, and testing is required.

Think about the pain. Most experts suggest not concentrating on pain. For many, it just makes the pain worse. You want to think about the pain. Think about it a lot. Consider where it hurts, how much it hurts, and how it is negatively influencing your life. Does your neck pain prevent you from playing with your kids or enjoying a game of golf? Once again, focus on your pain and the limitations it imposes.

Next, think about the relief. You just realized how your pain is influencing your life and it is never good. Now, focus on the relief. What would you do if you didn’t feel pain? You would feel less depression, be able to play with your kids, and enjoy some of your favorite hobbies. A life without pain sounds nice doesn’t it? You have no reason to fear a chiropractor, but focus on your life without pain. It should give you that extra push you need to attend your appointment and with confidence.

Ask those you know about their experiences. Chances are, you know at least one person who has undergone chiropractic care. Talk to them. Whether it be a family member, friend, neighbor, or coworker, ask about their experiences. What type of treatment did they undergo? Ask them to explain in detail. Ask about pain. Did they feel any during treatment and did the pain subside afterwards? If your acquaintance has nothing but good things to say about a certain chiropractor, consider seeking treatment from that same practitioner.

Ask to meet with the doctor beforehand. One of the fears people have isn’t necessarily related to the practice of chiropractic, but their new provider. It is always nerve-racking meeting with a new medical professional. You are entrusting that person with your life and to cure your pain. A positive working relationship is a must. See if you can meet with your new chiropractor before your first appointment, even if just for five minutes. Gauge their personality and their passion. Pickup forms while there, so you can fill them out at home and not in the waiting room at your first appointment.

While at your appointment, ask questions. With primary care physicians, some patients are so worked up about the blood-drawing needle that they don’t even know why samples are taken. Don’t let this happen to you. Ask your chiropractor to explain each action. It will ease your fears, as you are not unaware or left wondering. You always know what is going on.

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How to Find a Chiropractor

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By , November 11, 2021 8:53 pm

Do you suffer from painful recurring headaches, arthritis, were you in a car accident, or are you just experiencing pain and discomfort? Most Americans head to their medicine cabinet or their primary care physician. These provide you with temporary relief, but don’t you want more? If so, schedule an appointment with a local chiropractor.

What makes chiropractors better than over-the-counter pain relievers and primary care physicians? They believe in natural medical care. A chiropractor may use x-rays and MRIs to diagnose a problem, especially after a car accident. The treatment, however, is hands on, literally. It is known as manual therapy. Chiropractors commonly perform alignments and adjustments. Precision force is used with the hands to thrust joints into their proper position. For most, this results in a reduction or elimination in pain, as well as increased mobility.

If you like the sound of chiropractic care, you may be ready to schedule an appointment. First, you need to familiarize yourself with chiropractors in and around your area. How?

Your local phone book. In the back of your phone book, you will find the yellow pages or the business directory section. Chiropractors may be listed under the headings of “physicians,” or “chiropractic care.” Your phone book will give you the names, addresses, and phone numbers of chiropractors.

A standard internet search. When performing a standard internet search, search with your city and state. You will be linked to a number of websites. Some of those are directories, where many chiropractors are listed. These websites are similar to phone books; they provide you with just the names, address, and telephone numbers of local care providers. What you want to look for is chiropractor websites. In addition to getting the contact information, you should get in-depth information about the provider, such as specialties, background, and see pictures of the office.

An online business directory. Many websites serve as online business directories. From Yahoo.com, select “Local,” from the main heading. Enter in your city and state and the phrase “chiropractor.” You will see local listings for nearby chiropractors. Most only include your specific city, but you can expand the search to nearby communities. Some online business directories link to you to provider websites, if they exist. Many also enable ratings and reviews.

From your insurance provider. If you are covered by health insurance, see if chiropractic care is covered. Although some still classify this natural form of healthcare as alterative medicine, many are now embracing the benefits. There is a good chance your insurance provider extends coverage for care. When calling to ask, inquire about providers in their network or known providers that accept your insurance. Your insurance company can provide you with names, addresses, and phone numbers.

Recommendations from those you know. Since many Americans, insurance providers, and employers are now embracing chiropractic care and realizing the many benefits, its popularity continues to increase. You may know someone who has seen or uses the services of a chiropractor. Ask those that you know, such as friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Ask for the name, address, and phone number. Be sure to ask for feedback too.

As you can see, there are many ways to find chiropractic care providers in or around your community. Once you familiarize yourself with your options, the next step is to choose a care provider. When doing so, consider reputation, feedback, costs, and the wait until you can get a first appointment.

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Chiropractic Care and Children

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By , November 8, 2021 3:45 pm

We all experience pain and discomfort at one time or another. This pain and discomfort can be caused by many factors, including injury, arthritis, and poor joint use. Pain is not a walk in the park. When children suffer the pain, it can be unbearable, for both them and parents. If your child complains of pain or difficulty moving, your first thought may be to take them to their primary care physician. Yes, you can, but why not opt for natural relief? You can get it with chiropractic care.

If you didn’t already know, chiropractic care is a natural form of medicine. Patients can opt to take over-the-counter pain relievers, but they are rarely needed when proper treatment is sought. Chiropractic care involves manual therapy, also known as hand therapy. A child suffering from neck pain may need neck realignment or regular therapeutic massages. A child suffering from constant and severe headaches may need a vertebrae alignment. These treatments sound complicated, but they are all done with precision force and with the hands.

One of the first questions parents ask is about safety. Many wonder if chiropractic care is safe for children. Yes. In fact, it is safer than most forms of traditional medicine. Your child’s primary care physician may prescribe pain reliever. Both prescribed and over-the-counter pain relievers are risky for children. There are many risks and typically some side effects. Chiropractors cannot prescribe medication. Most wouldn’t want to anyways. Instead, natural treatment is sought and through the hands. The treatment will depend on the diagnosis made, but remember it is usually a joint adjustment or a therapeutic massage. These are 100% all natural and not risky.

Another important point parents, like yourself, are urged to consider is long-term relief. Many mistakenly believe that chiropractic care is long-term. It can be, but not always. Parents and chiropractors develop long-term treatment plans together. If your child’s lower back problems were caused by improper posture, therapeutic massages or readjustment may be necessary, but continued treatment is usually rare. Your child’s chiropractor will however discuss the importance of proper posture with you and your child and share helpful tips.

If your child needs long-term care, cost may be a concern. Although some classify chiropractic care as alternative medicine, many insurance companies extend coverage. Talk to your insurance provider and find a chiropractor that accepts it. If uninsured, inquire about payment plans.

As previously stated, a primary care physician may prescribe over-the-counter pain pills for the pain and offer a brace for support. These are only temporarily solutions to the problem. Many physicians only treat the symptoms, not the problem at hand. As previously stated, a child suffering from neck pain may need an adjustment or realignment. With chiropractic care, this is done with precise hand manipulation. A primary care physician is likely to write a prescription for pain pills, slap a brace on your child, and send them on their way.

As shown above, chiropractic care is safe for individuals of all ages, including children. Still, there are many ways that you can eliminate the need for chiropractic care. In fact, it might be a lot easier than you think. For starters, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) claims that poor quality backpacks and improper use can lead to lower back pain in children. So, if you are the parent of a school aged child, make sure your child’s bag is less than 10% of their weight, do not let it hang too far below the waistline, keep pointy objects away from your child’s back, and choose a backpack with wide and adjustable straps.

Another easy way to reduce pain and discomfort in children is encourage proper posture as a parent. This is particularly important today, as children spend many hours watching television, playing video games, and using a computer. Encourage your child to sit up straight. This simple step can later reduce the likelihood of back and neck pain.

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