7 Signs You Should See A Chiropractor

Your body lets you know when something's not alright. Usually, you know something's wrong when your body hurts. Maybe you have pain in your neck when you wake up in the morning. Perhaps you feel pain in your low back or upper shoulders after a long day at work. Or, maybe headaches step in and interrupt your days several times a month. No matter what type of pain you have, chiropractic care may help.

If you're like a lot of people, you'll call up a chiropractor when you hurt your back. But these professionals can help with a full list of other problems. About 35 million people go for chiropractic care a year for a range of issues. Some people even prefer to see a chiropractor over their regular doctor. So, how do you know you should see a chiropractor for help? Here's are seven signs to consider.

1. You have chronic headaches or migraines.

Headaches can stem from several underlying issues—stress, poor sleep, and more. However, a lot of people do see a chiropractor for frequent headaches or migraines. About four percent of adults worldwide have headaches at least 15 days a month. Several types of headache exist, such as:

• Tension headaches
• Cluster headaches
• Migraines
• Primary and secondary headaches
• Allergy or sinus headaches

Many headaches and migraines stem from neck issues. Neck muscle tension, inflammation of the upper spine, and other problems may lead to chronic headaches or migraines. These issues can lead to stress and pain that seems to come from your head. A chiropractor may help you get relief by tending to the tension from your neck that's causing your head pain. Further, they can sometimes help you find things in your routine that may cause headaches.

2. You feel stiff or like your range of motion is limited.

When you struggle to complete basic activities, it's a good sign to visit a chiropractor. Maybe you feel like your body's not very limber, or your joints are stiff. It might take you longer to do everyday things. You may benefit from a chiro visit if you struggle to:

• Bend to pick up something from the floor
• Reach over your shoulder to put on your seatbelt
• Lift your leg to tie your shoes
• Turn your head to look over your shoulder

Range of motion issues can be related to both muscles and problems in your spine or joints. For example, tension trapped in your spine may make it harder to bend or pick up your legs. Sometimes the problems can stem from a past injury as well. In either case, chiropractic treatment may help.

3. You're recovering from a recent accident.

Accidental injuries are a part of life. But what seems like a simple injury can sometimes cause issues for many years. If you've experienced a recent fall, car accident injury, or another injury, it is a good idea to visit a chiropractor. Many people make a chiropractor part of their recovery plan after an accident, especially car accidents. The unique treatment may help your body heal quicker and ensure you recover your range of motion in the process.

4. You deal with chronic joint or muscle pain.

It's true that chiropractors commonly treat people who have problems with their spine, but they can also help with joint and muscle pain. Some forms of joint and muscle pain or stiffness can actually be related to the spine. Problems with knee pain, shoulder pain, or even hip pain are good examples. Chiropractors may even be able to help if you have injured or pulled a muscle. Athletes and other active individuals visit chiropractors often to help keep their joints limber and muscles free of pain and tension.

5. You have persistent neck pain.

Neck pain can come from so many issues. You may have had a prior whiplash injury, posture problems, or just undue stress on your neck from how you sleep. The neck is made up of a series of muscles, tendons, and the upper spinal bones. Sometimes, inflammation or stress injury of any of these can cause ongoing neck pain. A chiropractor may help with neck pain by:

• Helping to gently stretch the neck muscles
• Offering advice about usual activities that can help
• Performing gentle upper-spine manipulation

If you have neck pain often, it is a good idea to see a chiropractor for help. Learn more about how chiropractic care can help neck pain.

6. You sit for long periods of time daily.

It's estimated that 50 million Americans have sedentary lifestyles or just don't move around much. Sitting for long periods may not always be by choice—maybe you have a desk job or a lengthy commute. For example, maybe you spend eight hours a day at a desk at work and drive an hour to and from your place of employment. When you get home, you may even spend another few hours on your phone or watching TV.

Sitting for long periods of time can be risky for your health, but it can also be hard on your spine. If you have an office job, your posture can suffer and you may face issues with spinal alignment. Visiting a chiropractor on occasion for an adjustment may help improve the strain on your spine and may even improve your posture.

7. You experience pain in your lower back.

Just about everyone experiences lower back pain, even young adults and children. The thing about lower back pain is it doesn't always have an easy-to-blame cause. The pain sometimes even goes away and returns, leaving you puzzled about what brought it on. If the pain's not going away or comes back often, you shouldn't just ignore it. The pain could be a sign of a deeper problem.

One of the most common things chiropractors treat is lower back pain. And there's more than one way to approach it, depending on where you have pain and how often it comes back. Chiropractors are better trained to point out what could be wrong and perform or recommend effective treatment. With non-surgical therapy and no risky medications, a chiropractor can often help you find relief. Check out these tips for reducing lower back pain.

Is It Time to See a Chiropractor?

The human body has so many interconnected systems. Sometimes, pain and stiffness can be signs something is off-kilter. If you have experienced any of the signs listed here, it may be time to visit a chiropractor for advice. Contact us to schedule an appointment at Village Chiropractic in The Woodlands. We take a non-surgical approach to help you get some relief, but also to support your overall health and wellness.