Many people associate chiropractic treatments with a chiropractor’s “cracking” of the patient’s back to provide them with relief from back pain or discomfort. As our chiropractor Dr. Monte Hessler can tell you, there is quite a bit more to the process. If you are experiencing back pain, contact us to make an appointment for an exam with our back pain doctor serving downtown Phoenix, AZ. Chiropractic treatments are a non-surgical alternative that does not require prescription drugs during or after adjustments. Below is additional information that you may find useful in advance of seeking relief from a chiropractor.

What are some of the benefits of seeing a chiropractor?

It is common for people to compare physical therapy to chiropractic treatment. Although medical professionals in these fields do help patients to alleviate pain and achieve a better quality of life, the way in which they treat the patient is completely different.

When you see a back pain doctor in Downtown Phoenix, AZ, he or she will do more than crack your back and neck. Rather, you will receive a broad range of benefits that greatly exceed the relief you will feel from the initial readjustments.

Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment

You Can Find Relief From Pain

At least half of American adult men and women will experience back pain in their life. For many of these people, this pain is ongoing. When the pain is chronic, the ability to sit down, stand, or relax may be very difficult. Unfortunately, some individuals will start to rely in painkillers to find relief. If this is done for an extended period of time, the risk of dependency is high. Rather than taking these strong medications, you may want to consider seeing a chiropractor. Often a chiropractor or back pain doctor in Downtown Phoenix, AZcan help you to reduce pain, and better than a medication can do.

Treatment Is Given at the Source

Chiropractic care is not a cure all for everything, but it can help to treat a broad range of physical ailments, especially those that are related to the nervous system. The nerves of the nervous system run through the spine. Therefore, when the spine is misaligned, the nervous system can become impaired. The nervous system has many responsibilities and controls the bodies reflective responses, breathing, and movement. A healthy spine can result in a healthy nervous system, and when both of these areas are healthy, you can feel better.

There is No Medication

There are many benefits to medication; however, most of these drugs should not be taken for lengthy periods of time. Furthermore, they typically do not actually treat the cause of the pain, but only temporary fix it. The side effects are often significant and can include organ damage, lethargy, weight gain, addiction, or death.

A chiropractor generally does not prescribe patients medications. In some cases, he or she might recommend herbs or supplements to complement the chiropractic care. If you are taking any medication, be sure to let your back pain doctor in Downtown Phoenix, AZ know ahead of time.

You Can Receive Other Relief Procedures

Managing chronic pain can be difficult. When you choose chiropractic care, it is possible to benefit from other forms of holistic or alternative treatments at the same time. Often patients will utilize transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, massage therapy, yoga, and other treatment methods alongside their chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Treatments Are Personalized

A chiropractor does not work from a “one treatment for all” formula. Rather, he or she will listen to your needs, assess your wellbeing, and create a personalized treatment plan that fits your specific needs. The treatment involves various techniques and tools that may or maynot be used, depending on your pain and medical condition.

If you are interested in receiving chiropractic treatment, please call Dr. Monte Hessler to schedule an appointment with a back pain doctor in Downtown Phoenix, AZ.

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation is the term used to describe actions or treatment by a chiropractor when working on a patient’s spine to address back pain and similar conditions. There are two main reasons for why a back pain doctor in downtown Phoenix, AZ will manipulate a patient’s joints or vertebrae:

  1.       To realign a bone into its proper position. When a bone is misaligned, it can put unnatural pressure on a nerve or other sensitive part of the body, resulting in pain or discomfort.
  2.       Provide more flexibility to a restricted joint. When a person feels stiffness, it’s usually accompanied by a limited range of motion. It may not be because a bone is broken but rather a joint is not moving as freely as it should. It can become a vicious cycle: a stiff joint results in the inability to fully move which leads to more stiffness and further debilitation. When a chiropractor relieves the stiffness, it can enable the person to move naturally and without pain.

What is the popping sound when a chiropractor cracks a patient’s back?

The sound one might hear is not that of a bone breaking, or even of an unnatural movement. When a chiropractor performs a quick, shallow thrust against the affected joint it can make a cracking or popping sound. The sound is caused by the release of tiny gas bubbles. This is very similar to what happens when one cracks their knuckles. Though the sound may seem odd at first, it is not reflective of anything negative that the Phoenix, AZ back pain doctor downtown is doing to the patient. In fact, many patients begin to enjoy the sound because they associate it with the relief they feel as a result of the chiropractic treatment.

Consult a Trusted Chiropractor with Dr. Monte Hessler

If you’re experiencing back pain or discomfort, you may be an excellent candidate for chiropractic treatments. Because this is a non-surgical approach and does not include prescription drugs, it is an attractive option for many who suffer from back issues. However, it’s important to undergo a comprehensive exam by our doctor of chiropractic, Dr. Monte Hessler. After a diagnosis from Dr. Monte Hessler, you will have a clear understanding of your treatment options. When chiropractic treatments are not a patient’s best option, Dr. Monte Hessler can provide recommendations to other medical professionals who can treat his or her condition. Call us today to make an appointment with a back pain doctor downtown Phoenix, AZ  patients rely on for relief from back pain!