Chiropractic for Middle Age
As adults approach middle age, many notice an increase in health complications that were not a problem earlier in life. Perhaps it is an achy lower back, a sudden injury or even the development of a chronic health condition like migraines or degenerative joint disease. Whatever the problem, many people in their 40s and 50s may equate the increase in health issues with the ‘normal aging process’. At our office, we encourage middle-aged patients to take charge of their health by incorporating chiropractic treatment into a wellness plan. Often, the problems that ail middle-aged adults can be quickly resolved with lifestyle changes and chiropractic adjustments – no medications required.
Did you know…Did you know that chiropractic treatments for middle aged people can help fight disease and degenerative health problems? When used as a preventative tool, chiropractic adjustments can correct nerve interferences, minimize stress and improve the overall quality of life. In fact, many people who begin undergoing chiropractic treatment during middle age feel so good, they wonder why they did not start visiting a chiropractor sooner. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of conditions can a chiropractor help treat?
Results vary from patient to patient, but many people experience significant improvements in a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions. Examples include:
- Migraines
- Tension Headaches
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Joint Pain and Arthritis
- Repetitive Stress Injuries
- Sciatica
What should I expect during a chiropractic appointment?
Depending on your symptoms, age and health history, we will evaluate your current health and determine the most effective course of treatment for improving it. Our goal is to eliminate pain and empower the body to recover from injuries and fight off disease. Treatment may include a combination of chiropractic adjustments, as well as lifestyle modifications that affect diet, daily activity and sleep habits.
I am middle-aged, but not experiencing any health problems. Do I still need chiropractic treatment?
It is never too early to take preventative action toward your future health. A chiropractor can help you feel better than ever and even identify potential health problems before they start. Our practice is founded in natural, non-invasive treatment and prevention. We utilize chiropractic adjustments, as well lifestyle counseling to maximize the health of our patients in ways they may have never known possible. For more information about chiropractic for middle-aged people, contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Chiropractic care is a branch of medicine pertaining to the health of the spine, nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation and other techniques to address the underlying conditions that are responsible for symptoms like back pain, neck pain, and chronic headaches. Chiropractic care is generally practiced free of the use of medications or invasive therapies and treatments. Instead, patients are encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyles and eating habits to coincide with chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic exercises. Patients who follow the instructions of their chiropractors often experience less muscle tightness and overall pain.
Did you know…that the use of chiropractic can be traced back as far as 2700 B.C.? Archeologists have discovered ancient writings from China and Greece that detail the use of spinal manipulation in an effort to alleviate lower back pain. Even the great Greek physician, Hippocrates, wrote extensively about his endorsement of spinal care. Today, chiropractic care is used around the world for the treatment of various diseases and conditions of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for chiropractic treatment?
The only way to know if you are a candidate for chiropractic treatment is by consulting with a chiropractor for a complete clinical assessment. If you are not a candidate for chiropractic care, or if you require medical treatment beyond the scope of chiropractic, you will be referred to the appropriate specialist or practitioner.
What should I expect at my chiropractic appointment?
Like any doctor visit, you will be asked to complete paperwork about your medical history and reason for visiting the chiropractor. You may be treated to massage or electronic muscle stimulation to help your body prepare for a chiropractic adjustment. The purpose of the adjustment is to manipulate the spine, neck and other areas of the musculoskeletal frame into an optimal position. You will hear a lot of loud popping and cracking during your visit, but you may experience greater mobility and less pain immediately after.
Will I need to follow any special instructions after my chiropractic appointment?
Your chiropractor may advise you to adopt healthier habits. For example, he or she may suggest using a back support for desk work to support a healthier posture. Other recommendations may include wearing better foot support, minimizing stress and changing your normal sleep position.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 2 million people visit emergency departments annually for treatment of injuries sustained in auto accidents. Even more walk away from their collisions with a few ‘bumps’ and ‘bruises.’ Unfortunately, many never consult with a chiropractor about their injuries because they either believe they are uninjured or otherwise believe the emergency department effectively handled their care. The truth is accident victims can have musculoskeletal injuries without any symptoms. Of those who do, they are often sent home from hospital emergency departments with pain medications – which do nothing to treat the underlying injury.
Did you know…you only need to be traveling approximately 5 to 10 miles an hour during a collision to sustain damage to your muscles, joints, bones or connective tissues? The same principle applies to injuries you sustain when other drivers run into you. Both low-speed and high-speed collisions put you at risk for injury. |
Frequently Asked Questions
I was in an accident. Should I seek chiropractic treatment?
Yes. A car accident can leave you writhing in pain, or it could leave you with little to no discomfort at all. Regardless of how mild or severe, your symptoms may be, it is important to seek out chiropractic treatment immediately following an auto collision. Chiropractic treatment is effective for relieving pain, muscle stiffness, whiplash, and misalignment caused by collisions. Furthermore, early treatment typically yields the fastest recovery time, because treatment is administered before the body has the opportunity to isolate injuries or accumulate scar tissue.
What should I expect at my chiropractic appointment?
Your initial chiropractic appointment will consist of an examination and a review of your medical history – including any injuries you may have sustained in your accident. You may then be x-rayed to check for spinal subluxations or neck injuries that may or may not have begun causing pain or muscle stiffness. Your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan for you based on the results of your exam. It is likely to include frequent spinal adjustments and possibly some physical therapy or spinal decompression.
Is there anything I can do to accelerate the healing process?
In the first 24 hours following your accident, it may help to apply ice to injuries in order to minimize swelling and inflammation. Visit your chiropractor as soon as possible, and take care not to physically exert yourself – regardless of how good you feel. Often, musculoskeletal pain doesn’t set in until days or even weeks after an accident. So slow down, take it easy, and get to your chiropractor’s office as soon as possible. You will be informed if there is anything you can do to better facilitate the healing process.
Chiropractors treat the entire neuromusculoskeletal system, but they are especially helpful in treating back pain. Chiropractors do not actually target pain relief itself so much as they attempt to treat the underlying conditions responsible for pain. Instead of merely masking a pain with over-the-counter or prescription medications, many patients who see chiropractors for back pain can achieve relief with simple spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes. Even the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research recommends that people with chronic back pain seek out conservative treatment options first, including safe and effective spinal manipulation.
Did you know…that the leading cause of disability around the world is lower back pain? In the U.S. alone, an estimated 31 million people are suffering from some type of back pain – many of them chronically. Although inflammatory diseases and other conditions can be a source of back pain, the vast majority of symptoms are caused by mechanical discrepancies in the spine. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see a chiropractor for my back pain?
Yes. Although not everyone is a candidate for chiropractic treatment, those who are often found significant pain relief with ongoing treatment. Contact your Rapid City chiropractor today for more information or to schedule a consultation.
How will a chiropractor treat my pain?
Your chiropractor will first attempt to identify the cause of your pain – whether it is related to posture, weight, stress, or the result of a car accident or other injury. You may be advised to make certain modifications to your daily habits and to visit periodically for spinal manipulation, which is designed to relieve pain, muscle tightness and joint immobility. Your treatment may persist for several weeks or months until your pain subsides.
What should I expect after treatment?
Most chiropractic adjustments are not painful. However, it is normal to experience some mild to moderate soreness in the first one to two days following your treatment. Otherwise, you can return to your usual routine as soon as you leave the office.
Acupuncture is one of the most powerful tools in alternative medicine. Used for its many health benefits, Rapid City acupuncture therapy is considered safe and effective when administered by a trained healthcare professional. Sessions consist of very fine needles being placed into the skin. Some people feel tingling or numbness at these points, but most feel very little or no discomfort at all. Many people report experiencing relief from physical and mental health conditions following one or more treatments.
Did you know…acupuncture is used by approximately 3 million Americans every year? The therapy has been growing in popularity in the States, yet has been used in Eastern medicine since ancient times. The Chinese believe acupuncture is capable of balancing the body’s ‘qi’ energy, ultimately supporting good health and providing relief from pain and illness. In Western culture, many practitioners believe that it instead stimulates the nerves, muscles and connective tissues to promote healing. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of conditions can benefit from acupuncture?
You do not have to be sick or in pain to undergo acupuncture in Rapid City. In fact, many people use acupuncture as a means of maintaining good health. However, the therapy can provide relief for various conditions and symptoms.
Examples include:
Headaches
Chronic pain
Nervous disorders
Respiratory disorders
Digestive disorders
And more!
What should I expect during a Rapid City acupuncture session?
Acupuncture is meant to be a relaxing experience. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have leading up to your appointment so that you feel informed and educated about acupuncture therapy. During the session, your acupuncturist will place very fine needs in specific points throughout your body. After a few minutes, the needles are removed, and you will be released to go home.
How long does it take to experience results from acupuncture?
Many patients report symptomatic relief and increased energy immediately following an acupuncture session. You will probably need multiple sessions to achieve desirable results, though the exact number and frequency of sessions varies from person to person. For more information about acupuncture and whether it’s right for you, contact our office to schedule a consultation.