Tag: therapeutic massage

Tips Before Seeing A Chiropractor

Emmie Wilson Chiropractors , , , ,

Whether you’re seeking chiropractic treatment for a neck injury or lower back pain, a good place to start is by asking family and friends for recommendations. Your primary care physician or physical therapist may also be able to make a recommendation.

During your first consultation and exam, your Chiropractor In Columbus GA will ask you about the origin of your pain. This is an opportunity for you to provide your full medical history.

chiropractor

Be Prepared

Going to the doctor or a new place for treatment can be stressful, especially when you’re not sure what to expect. The best way to feel confident and prepared for your first visit is to do a bit of research beforehand. During this process, you’ll likely find some important things that will make your experience much smoother.

The Intake Process

Your first chiropractic appointment will most likely start with a medical exam. This will often be done by a physical rehabilitation therapist or a chiropractic assistant. They will take your vital signs and examine you for various symptoms. This will include taking your blood pressure, testing your reflexes, and listening to your lungs and heart. Then, they will move on to a more specialized examination of your spine and musculoskeletal problems. This will most likely include x-rays and other tests like muscle strength tests.

It’s also a good idea to bring any medical records that relate to your pain with you. This will help the chiropractor have a full understanding of your health history and provide you with better treatment options.

The First Adjustment

A lot of people worry about how painful a spinal adjustment will be, and in some cases, it may feel uncomfortable or sore. However, it’s important to remember that the adjustments are meant to relieve your pain and help you heal. If you do experience any soreness or other side effects, they’re normal and are usually a result of the toxin build-up being released by the body as it heals.

It’s also a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothes that you can move in. The chiropractor will be moving you around and manipulating your back in different positions, so it’s important to have clothing that will not restrict movement. Loose-fitting shirts and pants or leggings are ideal. You should also be sure to remove any jewelry that could get in the way of the chiropractor’s treatments.

Arrive Early

Even if you have an appointment time, you’re likely to find there is paperwork to fill out or questions to answer before the chiropractor begins. Arriving at the office early will give you a chance to do this before your treatment starts. This can save you time and prevent any unnecessary stress.

Another reason to arrive early is to make sure you are comfortable with the physical environment. For example, it may be uncomfortable to sit on a hard chair for an extended period or the x-rays used in the appointment could cause a cold sensation. Being comfortable and relaxed will ensure that you are more receptive to your treatment.

Arriving early also allows you to get a feel for the office. The staff will be able to help you navigate your insurance policy, detailing copays, deductibles, and the number of visits that are covered. Filling out this documentation ahead of time will also save you a lot of time at the office and prevent any miscommunications about your medical history.

Lastly, it’s important to bring a copy of any recent X-rays that you have had. A chiropractor will often use X-rays to determine if a problem is caused by a misalignment or by something else, such as a fracture or dislocation. In the case of a dislocation, x-rays can help to identify any ligament damage that might be occurring.

If you are unable to obtain a copy of your x-rays before your appointment, be prepared to explain how your injury happened. The chiropractor will likely ask you detailed questions about what hurts and how it started. This is so they can understand how to treat your injuries effectively. If you downplay your symptoms, they will be unable to devise an appropriate treatment plan. Be honest and thorough in answering all of the questions that you are asked. It will help you get the best possible treatment and recover faster. If you are unsure about how to respond to any of the questions, be sure to ask your chiropractor for clarification.

Wear Comfortable Clothes

While it is important to prepare for your chiropractic appointment by gathering all of your medical records, insurance information, and identification cards, it’s also wise to think about what to wear. Many people feel uncomfortable when they’re asked to disrobe for their adjustment, and wearing clothes that are too tight can make the experience even more uncomfortable. If you’re not comfortable, it’s difficult to relax, which can work against your treatment progress.

It’s usually fine to wear normal clothing to a chiropractor’s office, but you should be prepared to remove any accessories that could get in the way of the treatment. For instance, a large belt or necklace might be in the way during back or shoulder adjustments, and a hat or earbuds may be tangled in your hair when you’re lying on the table.

If you’re unsure what to wear, a T-shirt and shorts or sweatpants are typically the most comfortable options for men and women alike. For women, a tank top or light T-shirt is a good choice because it’s easy to move around in and covers the chest and belly area. For men, it’s often easiest to wear shorts or joggers that have stretch and allow you to easily move your legs when you’re on the table.

You should also wear flat shoes to your appointment, such as tennis shoes or ballet flats. High heels can be uncomfortable and may prevent you from getting up and down onto the padded treatment table with ease.

Chiropractors use their hands to diagnose your pain, so it’s best if you don’t have anything covering your legs or arms that they can’t access. For this reason, you should avoid long pants or skirts unless they’re loose, and it’s best to wear a tank top rather than a blouse.

Although some older chiropractic practices still require patients to wear gowns, most modernized practitioners are more concerned with comfort than appearances. However, if you’re particularly self-conscious about your appearance when you go to the chiropractor, you can bring a change of clothes for the day of your appointment.

Be Prepared To Explain Your Pain

A chiropractor is like any doctor in that they will want to get a full picture of your health history and the current state of your body. They’ll need to know what kind of pain you have, how long you’ve had it, where it is located, and whether it gets worse or better with different activities. They’ll also likely want to know the cause of the pain, including things such as injuries, surgeries, and other treatments.

In addition to the medical history, the first visit will likely include a physical exam and an adjustment. The chiropractic adjustment is a quick, relatively painless process that involves lying on the table and having the chiropractor twist, push, or pull parts of your body to determine and correct any misalignments in your spine. You may hear an audible popping noise when this is done, but this is normal and not to be feared.

While it might feel awkward to tell your chiropractor about your back or neck pain, it’s important to do so. The more they can understand the nature and extent of your pain, the more effective their treatment will be. They’ll want to know what kind of activity makes your pain better or worse, if the pain is constant or comes and goes, and if it’s more severe at night or while sitting or standing for prolonged periods.

It’s also helpful to talk about any other symptoms that you might be experiencing, such as weakness in your legs or a feeling of dizziness. These can be signs of other issues that the chiropractor may need to address to relieve your symptoms.

Chiropractors also have a variety of treatment methods that can help you feel your best, from exercise routines to nutritional guidance. They’ll also be able to provide you with information that can improve your posture and teach you techniques to reduce stress, which is another key factor in improving overall health. In addition, if you have insurance, the chiropractor will probably be able to explain your coverage and any fees you’ll need to pay for your visit.

Headache Therapy

Adrian Cole Physical Therapy , , , , , ,

Headaches aren’t just an annoyance—they can also indicate another health condition. Headache Specialists MN may include pain relievers (some are over-the-counter, others require a prescription) and preventive medications.

Drugs that prevent migraines usually work best if taken daily at the first sign of an attack. Other headache treatments include taking riboflavin, butterbur, and magnesium sulfate supplements and a device called SpringTMS or eNeura sTMS.

physical therapy

Over-the-counter and prescription medications can be effective in treating headaches. A physician can determine the best medication for you. Frequent use of pain relievers can lead to side effects and may cause rebound headaches. Medications can be used for acute (abortive) or preventive (prophylactic) therapy. Abortive treatment is a quick way to ease the symptoms of an active headache, while preventive therapy reduces how often and how severe your migraines are.

Some over-the-counter medications are effective for pain relief, including ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen. If these don’t help, a doctor can prescribe stronger medications. A doctor can also recommend a combination of drugs that is more effective than a single medication; for example, a combination of acetaminophen and aspirin.

Several herbal and “homeopathic” remedies are advertised to treat headaches, but their effectiveness is questionable. In addition, they can sometimes be dangerous to take in some people, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure.

There are a number of new medications that can be effective for migraine prevention, but they’re only available with a doctor’s prescription. Some of these are referred to as “triptans” and include rizatriptan, almotriptan and erenumab. They all have some side effects, and erenumab is not approved for use in pregnant women.

Many headache patients can improve their condition with a few simple lifestyle changes, such as avoiding foods and beverages that can trigger headaches. Stress reduction techniques can also help. Some examples of these techniques include meditation, progressive muscle relaxation and self-hypnosis. There are also group skill-building activities that help you learn to cope with your headaches.

If medications aren’t helping, it may be time to see a specialist. Ask your primary care provider for a referral to a provider trained in evaluating and treating headaches, called a neurologist. Before your appointment, write down a description of your symptoms, including when they occur and how long they last. You should also record your daily routine, including any vitamins or supplements you take, as this will help your doctor figure out what’s causing your headaches. You can also keep a headache diary, writing down the details of each episode of head pain.

A non-medication approach, biofeedback trains people to control bodily responses, such as heart rate and hand temperature. It can help decrease the frequency of headaches and their intensity and duration. It also helps decrease the amount of medication required to treat them.

Biofeedback works through the practice of visualization and relaxation techniques. It requires a trained therapist and specialized equipment, which makes it less accessible than other headache therapy treatments. Research shows that biofeedback can be effective for both migraine and tension-type headaches, though it’s not a cure for these conditions. It’s a treatment that works best for those who practice it on a daily basis.

The two types of biofeedback used to treat headaches are thermal and electromyographic (EMG). Thermal biofeedback relies on the vascular theory of headaches, which states that head pain results from blood vessel constriction. This technique uses a finger thermometer to measure the hand temperature and allows the patient to learn how to relax, which causes their temperature to increase, which ultimately helps relieve the pain.

EMG biofeedback is more commonly used for tension-type headaches. It relies on electrodes to monitor skeletal muscle tension. It’s an effective preventive for these headaches and can be combined with the use of herbal remedies such as feverfew and butterbur, which are believed to reduce the severity of migraine attacks.

Behavioral therapy for migraine and tension-type headaches can be used to identify triggers, such as food, sleep, movement/postural habits, stressors and hydration. It’s been shown to be especially helpful in preventing episodic migraine and reducing the intensity, frequency and duration of cluster headaches.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychotherapy treatment that has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. It has also been shown to improve the quality of life of people with headaches. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs. This technique is useful for treating mental health disorders and can be used in conjunction with medications. It is also used in the management of various psychogenic neurological conditions. It is a popular form of treatment for people with chronic headaches, especially migraines.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a migraine-specific integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment program (miCBT) compared with RLX and a waiting-list control group in a three-armed randomized controlled trial. Participants were assigned to one of the treatments for a period of 12 weeks, after which they underwent post-treatment assessments at 4 and 12-months. The treatment program included the following components: education, challenging dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs, and relaxation. It also involved the use of daily diaries to record headaches, triggers and medication consumption. The trial was designed using a functional model, which seeks to understand the controlling variables that determine head pain and how they affect the quality of life.

A sample of 120 adults with migraine or tension-type headache was recruited for the study. They had to have at least six headache days a month and a stable pattern of symptoms for 12 months. In addition to the MIDAS score, assessment was done for anxiety and depression, locus of control, and self-efficacy. The results showed that miCBT was more effective than RLX and a waiting-list.

The MIDAS score significantly improved in the miCBT group, but not in the education or RLX groups. The HMSE-G-SF score was also significantly higher in the miCBT group, but not the education or RLX groups. The results suggest that the integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment program was more effective than education or RLX in reducing MIDAS scores and disability and improving the quality of life. The results also show that the HMSE-G-SF is a reliable and valid measure of self-efficacy in the management of migraines.

Although the majority of headaches are harmless and resolve on their own, some are chronic daily or can interfere with work, school, family or social activities. In these cases, the person may seek professional help to address the emotional responses to living with headache pain and learn how to manage the pain. Counseling can be a useful form of headache therapy, especially when it is combined with pharmacotherapy.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a commonly used psychological treatment for headache disorders, particularly migraine and tension-type headache. The use of relaxation training, biofeedback, and hypnotherapy in conjunction with CBT has also shown to be effective. Psychological treatment has been shown to improve quality of life in headache patients. It has also been shown to reduce the frequency and duration of headaches, decrease the need for medication, and reduce the number of days that the person is disabled by a headache.

In addition to the above therapies, physical therapy is another common way to treat headaches. A physical therapist can provide an examination of the head, face and neck to determine the cause of the headache and develop an appropriate treatment plan. This type of headache therapy has been shown to increase the ease of movement in the neck and reduce the intensity and duration of headaches.

Other forms of headache therapy include massage, biofeedback and acupuncture. These are usually offered in a professional setting and may require specialized equipment. Some of these treatments have been shown to be effective in reducing the severity and frequency of headaches, especially in those who suffer from chronic migraines and tension-type headaches.

Other non-pharmacotherapeutic techniques that are often recommended to patients who have not responded to pharmacological treatments include meditation, mindfulness and tai chi. These are a great option for people who want to avoid the side effects of medications or are unable to take them due to health restrictions, such as pregnancy or allergies. Patients can also try self-care and home remedies to relieve their headaches. For example, massaging the pressure point found in the “V” between the thumb and forefinger can significantly reduce migraine and tension-type headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic.