by Amber White
ChiroHealthUSA Social Media Specialist
Think chiropractors treat only back and neck pain? Guess again! For years, chiropractors have been treating patients with various aches and pains throughout the body. Chiropractic follows the philosophy that the body can heal itself under the right conditions and without medication. Here are three unexpected conditions a chiropractor can help treat:
Immune System Disorders
Did you know that the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems are all linked within the body? Usnews.com states, “Together they share tiny messenger molecules that mediate communication between them, creating optimal responses for the body to adapt and heal appropriately.” One of the messenger molecules, IL-2, has been found in recent studies to play a significant role in the nervous system. Researchers support the theory that neural dysfunction due to spinal misalignment are stressful to the body and lead to weak immune system response. Chiropractic care can reduce the stress and boost responses on the nervous system helping raise a body’s blood cell count when an adjustment is performed on subluxated areas.
Headaches
In the United States, over 15 percent of adults have reported suffering from severe headaches or migraines, with women experiencing them almost twice as often as men. While taking a painkiller to dull the pain may help, there is a more natural and better way to rid yourself of these nuisances. Whether these headaches are occasional or persistent, chiropractic care can help relieve pain associated with these conditions. Research shows that spinal manipulation is an effective way to treat tension headaches that originate in the neck since most problems are related to muscle tension in that part of the body. Holding the same position for a significant amount of time, such as when you text or watch television, can lead to pressure in the upper back and scalp and create joint irritation that causes headaches. In addition to providing adjustments, chiropractors can give you advice on posture, exercise, nutrition, and diet, to help prevent chronic headaches.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder associated with widespread pain in the muscles and bones, tenderness, and general fatigue. Chiropractors are trained neuromusculoskeletal specialists that focus on the positive impact adjustments can have on a person’s nervous system improving the chance of recovery for fibromyalgia patients. Chiropractic care can help treat back pain, neck pain, pressure points, and many other areas associated with musculoskeletal injuries. Chiropractors can also reduce a patient’s overall pain through spinal manipulations that help with the mobility between a spine’s vertebrae increasing the cervical and lumbar range of motion.
Why is the Discount Challenge prize amount $11,181? Because that is the average “per-occurrence” fine for Medicare inducements. That’s not $11,181 per patient, that’s not per provider, that’s PER VISIT. Stinks, doesn’t it? To us, the prize amount is worth the investment if we can help our profession better understand proper discounting.