Going to a chiropractor can be a completely different experience than any other form of treatment you’ve tried. You’ll receive new techniques to realign the spine and other joints, get massages for muscles that are tight and work on areas of the body that cause pain. These are all things you might typically associate with a chiropractor. However, a chiropractor can also assign home treatments or exercises that can aid your body. Some of these may directly help increase the effectiveness of your chiropractic care, while others are simply suggested as an add-on to everything your chiropractor is doing in an appointment. These are the most common kinds of home care a chiropractor might suggest to help you.
Hot and Cold Applications
This is especially relevant for people with back pain. A chiropractor may suggest cold therapy to decrease blood flow in an area; this is usually shortly after an accident to decrease inflammation around sensitive areas. The second is heat therapy, which is applied after cold to increase blood flow to an area, which can calm pained muscles and nerves. A combination of the two can also be used.
Electrotherapy
Electrical stimulation to certain parts of the body can help immensely with pain. While it might sound unpleasant, electrotherapy simply works by causing muscles to contract, therefore triggering stimulation and toning to help muscles heal. This can be beneficial for those recovering from surgery who have unbalanced, weaker muscles.
Exercise
There are many forms of exercise to help specific muscles regain strength and balance, thus eliminating pain that may be caused by an imbalance. Your chiropractor will advise you to do certain exercises that specifically help the problem muscles in your body. Sometimes you may be given exercise tools to help achieve your goals, such as a wobble chair or wedge supports.
Exercising at home can do wonders for your physical and mental health. You may feel more confident in your own abilities and control over your own recovery by becoming stronger and more skilled. Instead of avoiding the movements that cause you pain, you can learn exercises that decrease the pain and therefore decrease your fear of accidentally triggering it. Exercise is a great way to increase the success of your chiropractic care, so if you want to get better faster, doing all you can outside the office visits can be the best option.
If you aren’t sure about chiropractic care, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Tacoma Park, MD, to see if treatment can work for you. Ask if there are things you can do in your own home to help quicken your recovery.
Thank you to the experts at AmeriWell Clinics for their input into chiropractic care.
