Chiropractic Care in Westlake, OH

When the spine becomes misaligned, it irritates the nerves that pass through those joints and can lead to serious health complications. Chiropractic care was developed as a natural, alternative solution to many health problems that previously required numerous prescriptions and surgeries.

Pain is the body’s way of warning us about a more severe problem. Treating only the pain is like turning off the alarm and not addressing the raging fire. Pain is the last symptom to present itself and the first to go away, meaning once in pain, you’ve had a spinal misalignment for a while. That’s why it’s so important to seek care as soon as possible to stop the condition’s progression. The longer you wait to seek care, the more challenging the healing process.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Misaligned vertebrae can cause physical pain and other nagging symptoms that are difficult to treat with medical care alone. While traditional medicine treats the symptoms, usually with drugs and surgery, chiropractic care is a natural, non-invasive, holistic approach that optimizes the nervous system to relieve pain, improve nerve and joint function, and accelerate healing. By correcting misalignments in the spinal column and joints, the body experiences improved circulation, increased nerve response, decreased muscle tension, and improved overall health. Chiropractic adjustments can address musculoskeletal issues and imbalances as well as regulate hormones and other systems of the body.

Chiropractors are interested in addressing the root cause of pain and other symptoms to provide long-term relief and prevent future illness and injury. Spinal adjustments are applied to correct vertebrae misalignments that may be causing pain or reposition the spine to improve alignment. They can manipulate the spine by using gentle pressure and a hand-held device. Chiropractic adjustments work to remove joint blockages and restore nerve flow to the affected areas. With improved nerve flow comes a more highly functioning body and a stronger immune system, improving the body’s ability to heal.

Common Chiropractic Adjustment Techniques

Gonstead Technique

The Gonstead Technique emphasizes a thorough evaluation of the patient’s spine, including a comprehensive analysis of their posture, spinal motion, and X-ray imaging. Once a subluxation is identified, the chiropractor utilizes a combination of manual adjustments, often involving precise and gentle movements, to realign the vertebrae and restore proper joint function. The adjustments are typically performed with the patient in a specific position, such as lying on their side or sitting upright.

The Gonstead Technique places particular emphasis on targeting the specific areas of subluxation rather than adjusting the entire spine. The chiropractor’s analysis and adjustments are tailored to each individual patient, considering their unique spinal structure and condition. This approach aims to provide targeted and effective treatment while minimizing unnecessary adjustments.

Activator Technique

The Activator Technique uses a handheld, spring-loaded instrument to deliver low-force, high-velocity chiropractic adjustments. The instrument provides a gentle and precise adjustment without manual manipulation or twisting of the body.

The force stimulates the proprioceptors (sensory receptors in the muscles, tendons, and joints) and promotes reflexive changes in the neuromuscular system. The goal is to restore proper joint function, improve nervous system communication, and alleviate pain or discomfort associated with misalignments or subluxations.

Individuals who may be uncomfortable with traditional manual adjustments or have certain health conditions requiring a more conservative approach favor the Activator Technique’s gentle approach. The instrument-based nature of the technique allows for precise targeting and may be particularly suitable for children, elderly individuals, or those with fragile bone structures.

The Thompson Technique

Also known as the Thompson Drop Technique, this method focuses on analyzing and adjusting the spine using a specialized chiropractic table with drop mechanisms. The table sections can be elevated and quickly dropped when the chiropractor applies a specific force during the adjustment. This drop mechanism helps to enhance the adjustment’s effectiveness by reducing the required force and allowing for a more precise and comfortable adjustment.

The Thompson Technique is known for its gentle and precise approach, making it suitable for individuals who may be uncomfortable with more forceful manual adjustments or with certain health conditions requiring a more conservative approach. It is often used to address a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, neck pain, and joint dysfunction.

Diversified Technique

The Diversified Technique is one of the most commonly used chiropractic techniques worldwide. It is a manual adjustment technique that focuses on restoring proper alignment and function to the spine and other joints in the body. It combines specific manual thrusts, or adjustments, to correct subluxations and improve joint mobility.

Once areas of subluxation or joint dysfunction are identified, the chiropractor will use their hands to apply quick and controlled thrusts to the specific vertebrae or joints that require adjustment. These adjustments are typically performed with the patient lying on a chiropractic table.

Conditions We Treat with Chiropractic Care in Westlake, OH

There are several conditions that chiropractic adjustments are suited to help resolve. Chiropractic care is most effective at identifying and correcting subluxation of the spine, most commonly caused by poor posture, injury, or arthritis. Patients with…

• Low Back Pain
• Arthritis
• Neck Pain
• Disc Injury
• Headaches
• Sciatica
• TMJ Dysfunction
• Carpal Tunnel
• Neuropathy
• Shoulder Pain
• Pinched Nerve
• Knee Pain
• Hip Pain
• Concussion
• Whiplash

…have benefited from chiropractic adjustments.

These conditions are often caused by the spine misaligning, putting pressure on nerves and joints. The treatment can help eliminate the pain associated with the condition and restore proper nerve function. Improved nerve function can also benefit patients dealing with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleeplessness
• Fatigue
• Digestive Disorders
• Fertility Issues
• Ear Infections
• ADHD
• Asthma

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of chiropractic care?

Chiropractic treatment is all-natural and non-invasive. The treatment does not involve drugs or surgery but relies on muscle manipulation, gentle pressure, and machines that help adjust the spine. This makes chiropractic care an ideal alternative treatment. The treatment also has a low rate of severe side effects. Most patients experience no complications or reactions when they undergo chiropractic care. The treatment is safe and can be used on all patients, including pregnant women. Unlike prescription drugs, chiropractic care does not have harsh interactions with other medications that could harm the patient’s health.

Who is a chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a medical doctor who has completed specialized training in the field of chiropractic. The appropriate state board must also license them to practice medicine in that state. They have studied anatomy and physiology, as well as techniques for diagnosing and treating patients with ailments. A chiropractor can order X-rays, MRIs, and other diagnostic tests to determine the cause of a patient’s pain. Some chiropractors are also specially trained in postural corrections.

What can I expect during a chiropractic appointment?

Your chiropractor will want to complete a comprehensive consultation and examination. This will include questions about your health history and the issues you are experiencing. The examination will consist of various neurological and orthopedic tests and could include a postural screening and X-ray. This process is thorough so the doctor has a complete picture. Understanding the underlying cause of your condition is critical to chiropractic’s success. Based on your examination results, the doctor will design an individualized treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause of your problem for long-term relief.

Regular chiropractic adjustments have been used for hundreds of years by the medical profession to treat various conditions. The cost is significantly less than conventional medical treatments. You can expect a positive experience in every session. Chiropractors are trained to maximize results by analyzing the patient’s problem and determining the best treatment method. Most patients find the results more than worth it compared to drugs with harmful side effects or surgery offering little or no benefit.