A chiropractor may be called a Doctor of Chiropractic or just a DC. They treat people who are in pain with a technique known as spinal adjustment or spinal manipulation. The purpose of these adjustments is to correct spinal subluxations. A vertebral or spinal subluxation typically means that a vertebrae has moved out of its correct position and is creating an irritation on the spinal nerves. The resulting pain from the irritated nerves prevents people from functioning at peak levels in their day to day lives. For example, more than 80 percent of all Americans suffer from back pain at least one time in their lives. If you visit a St Augustine Chiropractic Clinic, the DC can usually get you out of pain completely with a series of spinal adjustments.
The spinal adjustment is a high-velocity thrust that improves the movement and joint function of the body. Conventional medical doctors often just prescribe pain killers like Vicodin or Percocet, but the DC diagnoses the root cause of the pain so they can offer natural solutions. A traditional MD may resort to surgery to get you out of pain but the DC uses non-invasive techniques to free you from pain. The doctors at a St Augustine Chiropractic Clinic undergo years of training to be able to provide effective non-surgical and drug-free solutions for natural pain relief. This is why many people prefer to visit a DC instead of a regular doctor.
Chiropractic doctors may treat more than just back pain. For example, some recurring headaches may be so bad that typical oral medications offer little or no relief. These headaches may be caused by muscle tension and changes in vascular constriction. When the DC makes an adjustment, the vascular flow changes which can relieve the muscle tension. In addition to these tension headaches, the DC is also known for successfully treating cervicogenic headaches. This type of headache is caused by referred pain that comes from nerves, bones, and muscles in the neck. Migraine headaches are also successfully treated with chiropractic care.
On your first visit, the DC takes a complete medical history and x-rays so that he can establish the best course of treatment. Pain management is a growing field in the healthcare industry, and chiropractors are an essential part of the pain management team.
