What Is the Best Time to See a Chiropractor?

Most people go to their family doctor when they feel really sick and for preventive check-ups once per year. When it comes to deciding to see a chiropractor, some people choose this option only after trying other solutions, from painkillers to various doctor appointments and therapies. Sometimes, waiting makes their condition worse, taking longer to heal. So, what is the best time to see a chiropractor?


Seeing a Chiropractor Should Not Be Plan B

First of all, remember this: chiropractic is a legitimate branch of medicine. It has been tested and proven over decades and so many people have to thank a chiropractor for their regained health and flexibility.

Thus, you should see a chiropractor with the same confidence you have in surgeons, eye doctors and other medical professionals. Chiropractic is a fully regulated branch of medicine, subject to the oversight of state and federal agencies. Thus, you should not see a chiropractor as plan B after trying other treatments and therapies.

Instead, you should consider making an appointment with a chiropractor in the following situations:


1. After an Accident or Trauma

Car crashes, slip and fall accidents or sport accidents can cause visible and invisible injuries. Your muscles are strained and your joined can become slightly misaligned. The negative consequences are many and with a serious impact on your life:
• Pain
• Inflammation
• Stiff joints
• Pinched nerves.

You should see a chiropractor as soon as possible after an accident or a traumatic event. The sooner you are diagnosed and start your chiropractic adjustments and massages, the sooner you will heal and return to your regular activities.


2. If Pain Is a Daily Occurrence

Sometimes, pain is not the result of a single event. Instead, it is the result of prolonged strain on the muscles, due to poor posture and intense physical activities. If you are in pain for no reason almost on a daily basis, you need to see a chiropractor.

What you suffer from is called chronic pain and it does not go away with painkillers. The source of pain stays there. NSAIDs only numb it for a while. When you go to a chiropractor, you choose to heal the injury or inflammation and effectively remove the cause of pain.


3. You Are Sitting Down for Long Periods of Time

If you are the average office employee, you spend a lot of time sitting down on a chair and working on a laptop. In this case, you are running the risk of developing bad posture, leading to chronic back pain.

Even of you are maintaining a correct posture, sitting down for a long period of time is not good for your muscles and joints. You should do yourself a favor and see a chiropractor in order to get checked. Also, the chiropractor can teach you simple stretches and exercises you can do in the morning or during breaks at the office.


4. Muscle and Joint Injuries Take a Long Time to Heal

Some people follow their doctor’s advice: RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate), avoid physical efforts, take NSAIDs. Yet their injury does not heal as soon as they should. In time, they lose the strength and full mobility of the injured part.

The reason for this is that leaving an injury to heal by itself causes scar tissue to develop. This is why you should see a chiropractor as soon as you realize that your injury is not healing as soon as it should. Chiropractic adjustments and massages will reduce inflammation, improve blood flow in the injured part and avoid the development of scar tissue.


See a Chiropractor to Maintain Your Body Strong and Flexible

Finally, as you are advancing towards your golden years, you should start to see a chiropractor to assess the condition of your joints and muscles and solve any underlying problems. The secret of a long and healthy life is staying active and a chiropractor can definitely help you with that.

Your health is your most valuable possession. When you decide to see a chiropractor, you are protecting your health and looking towards an active life after retirement. Find a chiropractor near you in our online registry and book your first appointment!