When you wake up first thing in the morning and stretch, do you hear any pops or creaks in your joints? Perhaps you stand up to stretch after you have been sitting for a long time and hear pops and cracks in your neck and back. These sounds often accompany a rush of pain relief, like something previously tight is now loose again. Now imagine going to a doctor where you can experience that kind of relief from a professional. When you visit your Tucker chiropractor, they may use a therapeutic technique known as chiropractic adjustments. Many people associate the sound of cracking your back with going to the chiropractor. In fact, chiropractors do so much more than simply crack your back. Learn more about the science behind chiropractic adjustments and the benefits for you and your overall health and wellness. Chiropractic care can also offer you cost-saving benefits compared to traditional medicine.
What Happens When You Crack Your Back?
That popping or cracking sound you hear when you stretch or twist your back is not actually the sound of any bones cracking or breaking! The sounds actually come from gases inside the joints that move around and pop like bubbles when the joint is stretched or manipulated. The technical term for popping and cracking sounds in your joints is crepitus. Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and other joints in the body may cause these sounds, but it does not always occur. The sign of a good chiropractic adjustment is about more than whether or not you hear a sound. When a chiropractor works on your back, they are working with your spinal column made up of 33 vertebrae that run from the base of your skull to your tailbone. These vertebrae allow flexibility and movement in your back and are separated by spinal discs that provide cushion and support. Over time, poor posture and other issues can cause your spinal discs to move slightly out of alignment and gases build up inside the joints. Cracking your back releases these gasses and causes a rush of endorphins and other chemicals in the body that make you feel better.
What Are Chiropractic Adjustments?
Chiropractic adjustments are a technique chiropractors use to crack your back and other joints in the body safely and effectively. When a chiropractor uses chiropractic or spinal adjustments, they are putting a controlled force of pressure on part of your spine to help restore a vertebra to its proper alignment. Even the slightest movement out of alignment can disrupt healthy functioning in the spine and the rest of the body. The central nervous system runs through the spinal column, and when a vertebra is out of place, it can disrupt the brain’s ability to effectively communicate with other parts of the body. Chiropractic adjustments not only bring you relief from a properly aligned spine but also ensure healthy functioning. The safest way to crack your back is by going to a chiropractor for chiropractic adjustments done in a controlled environment with a practitioner who has advanced knowledge and skills in the area. While some movements like stretching can cause pops or cracks to occur naturally, you never want to force your neck, back, or joints to crack or pop. Instead, allow a chiropractor to perform these adjustments so that your spine and joints are properly aligned and functioning at their best.
What to Expect at Your First Chiropractic Visit
Many chiropractors offer a free consultation on your first visit, so you learn more about what to expect. A first visit to the chiropractor will typically include a discussion of your medical history, what brings you to the chiropractor, and a physical examination. Your Tucker chiropractor will want to know about symptoms you have been experiencing that are affecting your daily routines and ability to participate in activities you enjoy. Whether you are dealing with chronic pain or a recent car accident injury, knowing more about how this has impacted your body will help your chiropractor learn more about you. Your medical history can also provide your chiropractor with additional information that may help in diagnosis and treatment. A physical examination may include an assessment of your posture, spine, and any specific areas where you are experiencing pain or other symptoms. If you are going to the chiropractor for back issues, then they will want to assess the alignment of your spine and identify any areas for improvement. Sometimes, your Tucker chiropractor may recommend chiropractic adjustments during your first visit to help you get started on the path to pain relief and lasting results.
Continued Care with a Chiropractor
Depending on what brings you to the chiropractor, your Tucker chiropractor will develop a plan of care to address your specific needs and goals for treatment. A treatment plan for a whiplash injury after a car accident will look different than a treatment plan for poor posture causing chronic back pain, though the techniques used may be similar. Chiropractors use a combination of chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic massage, soft tissue manipulation, and other techniques to help manage your symptoms and address the root cause of your pain. As you work through a treatment plan with your chiropractor, they may start off with an initial recommendation of a certain number of sessions with the chiropractor.
The chiropractic adjustment cost will depend on a few factors. First, if you are seeing a chiropractor for an injury, then you may be using insurance to help cover the costs. For example, car accident injuries may be covered by your health insurance, which can help reduce any payments you have to make out of pocket. Second, the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care often means that you may find that going to the chiropractor works better for you than visiting a traditional doctor, like your general practitioner. Recovering from an injury or managing a health condition will typically require multiple visits to the doctor or chiropractor for continuing care. The typically lower costs of chiropractic care may make it more beneficial for you to go this route and experience treatment and lasting relief with this all-natural approach to healthcare.
Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments
Did you know that millions of people visit their doctor or chiropractor for back pain every year? Many people appreciate the natural and drug-free approach of chiropractic care for back pain and back injuries. From poor posture to spinal injuries, your Tucker chiropractor can offer safe and effective techniques for pain relief, increased mobility, injury prevention, and more. Chiropractors use an all-natural and non-invasive approach to addressing a wide range of issues that impact the whole body, not just the spine. Going to the chiropractor is commonly associated with back and neck pain for good reason. Chiropractors recognize the importance of the role your spine plays in the overall health and function in your body. Chiropractic adjustments and other techniques can help improve your spine and joint mobility, function, and health. In addition to addressing the vertebrae in your spine and joints in your body, chiropractors also work with soft tissues like your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Your back pain may be caused by a combination of a spinal misalignment and tight or weakened back muscles. Chiropractors can help make tight muscles loose and strengthen these tissues that support and stabilize your spine. Chiropractic adjustments can also speed up your recovery process, strengthen your immune system, and boost your energy.
How Much Does a Chiropractor Cost?
With so many benefits to chiropractic care, you might be wondering, “how much is a chiropractor in Tucker?” The chiropractor’s prices may differ depending on what brings you to the office. Talk to your Tucker chiropractic office about chiropractor cost comparisons that can help you better understand what you can expect. The chiropractor’s cost can depend on how often you need treatments and whether or not you use health insurance to cover your visits. After treatment for a specific injury or issue, many people continue to see their Tucker chiropractor for continued care and maintenance. These visits can help you maintain the healthy posture you worked so hard for and continue to experience the benefits of chiropractic adjustments. The adjustment price can also be different when you are returning for maintenance care instead of as part of your treatment plan.
Visit AICA Orthopedics in Tucker to get started with a chiropractor near you. Our team of chiropractors works alongside orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, and other specialists to provide our patients with comprehensive care. We work with your insurance company and also walk you through self-pay options so you can choose what works best for you and your budget. We never want finances to keep you from experiencing the lasting benefits of chiropractic care, which is why AICA Orthopedics will provide you with transparent explanations of all associated chiropractor’s prices, so you know what to expect from the minute you walk through our doors. Our chiropractors also have access to state-of-the-art technologies like X-rays and MRI scans in the office, so you can get everything you need in one convenient location at AICA Orthopedics in Tucker.