People suffering from chronic back pain and other spinal conditions always have a hard time deciding whether to go for chiropractic treatment, because they do not really understand what it entails. There is a lot of information available online about chiropractic treatment but there is no way of telling what is true and what is not. Therefore, making a good decision based on true and factual information can be quite a challenge. This article explains the benefits and drawbacks of this form of treatment so that you have all the information you need to make a good decision.
Pros
• Therapeutic
One of the biggest advantages of chiropractic treatment is the fact that apart from providing relief from pain, it is also therapeutic. Patients have reported feeling calm and relaxed after going for chiropractic adjustments. Some claim to experience lower stress and anxiety levels, and they are therefore able to deal with life’s challenges better. So apart from getting relief from your pain, your mental wellbeing is also improved.
• Preventative
Chiropractic treatment is not only used to treat and manage spinal disorders; it can also be used to prevent these disorders. This is unlike traditional medicine that only seeks to treat or manage the condition after the patient is already sick. Good chiropractors such as the ones at Active Edge Chiropractic and Functional Medicine help to align the spine and vertebra and this improves both physical and mental wellbeing.
• Cheaper than traditional medicine
Chiropractic treatment is much cheaper than traditional medicine. This is because the tests required are fewer and cost less than those required in traditional medicine. Additionally, the fact that the treatment methods used are holistic means that patients can save a lot as they would otherwise have to pay for several different procedures and medications to treat various issues. You also won’t have to pay for drugs when you go for chiropractic treatment. The average person can afford chiropractic treatment with little or no insurance coverage, but this is not possible with traditional medicine.
Cons
• Side effects
Chiropractic treatment has minimal side effects and very few patients experience these. However, they can be serious. One of the most common side effects is muscle soreness after treatment. Many patients have reported feeling pain in the muscles after treatment. However, the pain typically dissipates after a few days, and it is then that they start feeling the relief brought about by the treatment. That is a small price to pay considering the benefits you get to enjoy afterward.
• Limited research
This comes as no surprise as this form of treatment only recently started being incorporated into formal medicine. There is very little research on the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment in the treatment of various conditions. For this reason, some doctors discourage their patients from seeking chiropractic treatment. However, it has been proven to be very effective in dealing with lower back pain.
• No immediate relief
With pain medication, you experience pain relief a short while after you take it. But with chiropractic treatment, you might have to wait a long time to start seeing the results of the treatment.
