“I don’t know if I want a doctor cracking my back!” is a common sentiment of patients who have never visited a Knoxville chiropractor. Naturally, you might be timid, but chiropractic adjustments are one of the safest procedures used to treat musculoskeletal and neurological complaints. According to the American Chiropractic Association, nearly 20 million Americans safely visit chiropractors each year for relief of back pain, neck pain, sinus problems, headaches, ringing in the ears, and many more conditions.
Chiropractors use their hands or a hand-held instrument to precisely manipulate the spine and other joints to restore alignment and function. Such restoration of normal function causes issues like joint inflammation and pain to naturally resolve. The procedure is highly controlled and individualized for each patient. It is of utmost importance to select a skilled and well-educated chiropractor in Knoxville TN, like Dr. Bert, who has learned the technique through years of intensive education and training. A typical chiropractor spends a minimum of 4,200 hours on classroom learning and clinical experience.
Of course, no health treatment is completely risk-free, but risks associated with chiropractic are minimal and patients rarely experience discomfort. In some cases, you might experience mild muscle soreness or stiffness, similar to post-exercise, but it typically goes away within 24 hours. Joint adjustment occasionally results in the release of gas bubbles trapped between joints, and the release results in a popping sound, thus explaining why the procedure is commonly referred to as "cracking" your back. Despite the sound, there is rarely discomfort. The overwhelming majority of patients experience relief of symptoms immediately following chiropractic treatment.
It is also important to compare risks with other methods of treatment for the same conditions. For example, our chiropractic clinic is commonly used for relief of neck pain and headaches, but so are anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDS ) and prescription painkillers. The risks associated with these drugs are far greater than the drug-free chiropractic alternative. Surgery and bed rest are often prescribed by other doctors for conditions that can be treated with spinal manipulation. Of course, invasive procedures are much riskier due to risk of infection, as are the muscle and bone weakening, tissue breakdown, and cardiovascular deconditioning attributed to prolonged bed rest.
Pediatric Knoxville Chiropractic Care, Even Safe for Children!
Chiropractic treatment is also very safe for children, who can greatly benefit from this type of care. Children are very active and often participate in sports, so they are likely to have falls and wear and tear from daily activities. Children often experience many of the same symptoms that adults experience—neck pain, back pain, and general stiffness and soreness. Chiropractors adapt their techniques to children’s smaller bodies, and the technique is always very gentle.