As humans, we are constantly putting our bodies through different physical stresses. It could be stress from exercising regularly at the gym. On the other hand, it could be from sitting for extended periods of time while working from home. Whether we move our bodies too much or too little, we all experience some form of physical stress. What can we do to help keep our bodies healthy?
Visiting the chiropractor comes with a variety of health benefits that you can experience. It’s not worth going through life in pain. Receiving chiropractic care can help you break through that chronic back pain that has been plaguing you for years. Chiropractors can also help keep your body aligned and prevent future injuries from occurring. You can recover from existing pain while avoiding future aches that can pop up.
Today, we will review why it’s so important to visit the chiropractor, along with the vast health benefits that you can experience from receiving this type of care.
What Type of Ailments Does a Chiropractor Treat?
A chiropractor treats headaches, insomnia, back and neck pain, pregnancy aches and pains, and even seemingly unrelated ailments like digestive issues and high blood pressure. Regular chiropractic visits can prevent pain from occurring in the first place. Below, I’ll cover the common reasons for visits to the chiropractor, plus some less common reasons that may surprise you.
Back and Neck Pain and Joint and Muscle Stiffness
When most people think of visiting a chiropractor, it’s because they’re suffering from neck or back pain. It is a very common reason chiropractors see patients walk through their door, according to Twin Waves Wellness Center, a chiropractor in Solana Beach, California. Chronic neck and back pain can cause severe distress in people who live with it, including those with herniated discs, poor posture, sciatica, scoliosis, or even car accident injuries. Chiropractors can help address these symptoms and start you off on the road to recovery.
A chiropractor might use a combination of techniques overtime to help heal you, including regular adjustments, massage, spinal decompression, wraps, and certain types of laser therapy. Their ultimate goal is to keep you off of strong pain medicine and out of surgery. Chiropractic care looks to solve the root cause of your aches and pains.
Headaches
If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, a spinal adjustment can provide you relief. There’s a chance that those headaches are caused by pressure on your neck and spine. A chiropractor will manipulate your spine to relieve that pressure that reduces the occurrence and intensity of your headaches. This is a natural way to treat a migraine, as opposed to taking pain medication that does little to treat the root of the issue.
Insomnia
Pain can cause insomnia, but even people without chronic pain can suffer from sleep issues related to stress and sleep posture. If you find yourself tossing and turning in bed, or waking up feeling foggy and not rested, it may be time for a spinal adjustment. A chiropractor can help align your spine, so you sleep in a more restful position that improves blood flow and thereby sleep quality.
Pregnancy Pains
Pregnant women can benefit from chiropractic care as their bodies change. Due to the rapid changes taking place as your child develops and the extra weight you’ll be carrying around, your hips and lower back can suffer. Many pregnant women claim feeling general discomfort, getting more frequent headaches, and having a difficult time sleeping due to the pain.
Some chiropractors specialize in prenatal care and can help manipulate your body to help you deal with the rapid changes more easily and with less pain. Chiropractors report seeing more balanced hormones, better sleep, and reduced weight gain in pregnant patients.
High Blood Pressure
Though it may not seem related at first, a chiropractic adjustment can result in reduced blood pressure. Hypertension is the result of stress-induced high blood pressure that can eventually affect heart health and cause strokes and disease. While most people will be prescribed a pill to treat hypertension, chiropractic visits can also help without the medicine.
Blood pressure drops after a chiropractic adjustment, according to Twin Wave Wellness Center, because your chiropractor will relieve tension at the top of your neck which lowers blood pressure.
Digestive Issues
Your nervous system and your digestive system work in tandem, so if your nervous system is stressed from a misaligned spine, you may suffer from digestive issues. A misalignment could prevent your nervous system from sending signals to your digestive system, but a chiropractic visit can fix this.
Poor Athletic Performance
For athletes suffering from poor athletic performance, or who just want to improve their output, a chiropractic visit can increase range of motion, prevent injury, and reduce bodily stress. Flexibility and mobility are key attributes that many athletes need to perform at the top of their game. By receiving consistent chiropractic care, you empower your body to perform at its optimal level. Many professional athletes visit a chiropractor before and after games to help their bodies perform well.
How Much Does a Chiropractor Visit Cost?
Depending on where you live, the full cost of a chiropractic visit will range between $30 and $200. Whether you look for a singapore chiropractor or a chiropracter in the States, Adjustments will be on the lower end of that spectrum, on average, between $50 and $75. More expensive add-on treatments will increase the price. Your insurance may cover a portion of your visit, with some co-pay likely.
Does My Health Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care?
Confirm your care is covered by your chiropractor and that your insurance is accepted. Your full total may not be covered, but many insurance plans do cover at least a portion of a chiropractic visit depending on the treatment. Call your insurance company and ask them if your plan covers chiropractic care. If it does, ask how many visits will be covered each year, if they’re covered in full, if your deductible will apply to any out-of-pocket costs, and if there’s a co-pay.
If your chiropractor recommends any specialty diagnostic tests, imaging, or other treatments outside of a normal adjustment, confirm with your insurance what your costs will be on those visits. If you don’t have insurance, you can still see a chiropractor, but you will be expected to pay by cash, credit card, or check. You may be able to use a health savings account to pay for chiropractic care, but not all HSAs are created equal so be sure to check with your employer.
Some HSAs offer a lot of flexibility under the definition of “health spending,” including massage, acupuncture, gyms, and chiropractic care. This means you can use the tax-free money that you or your employer put into your HSA to pay for your chiropractor visit and treatments, even if it is not covered by your health insurance.
In Conclusion
You should visit a chiropractor especially if you’re in pain, having trouble sleeping, feeling general discomfort, or are suffering from frequent headaches. But you don’t need to wait until you’re in pain to see a chiropractor. Many insurance companies cover some portion of the cost of the visit, and you can likely use tax-free HSA funds to pay, as well. Visiting a chiropractor can lead to pain relief and an overall increase in quality of life.
