Chiropractic care uses spinal and muscle manipulation to properly align the musculoskeletal structure in order to relieve pain and restore mobility. Chiropractic care can also consist of manual or manipulative therapies, postural and exercise education, ergonomic training and much more. The most common reason people visit a chiropractor is to relieve back pain. Neck pain, arm or leg pain, hip pain and headaches are just a few other reasons people opt for a chiropractor. Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) have knowledge in orthopedics, physiology, neurology, human anatomy, clinical diagnosis, and nutrition rehabilitation. Their vast skill set allows them to provide their patients with comprehensive and holistic care.
Did You Know?
It is estimated that an average of 22 million Americans visits a chiropractor each year. About 35% of this number express back pain as their reason for visiting a chiropractor. Dr. Clouthier is a holistic chiropractor and therefore treats any musculoskeletal conditions that affect the body.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need a chiropractor?
If you suffer from chronic neck or back pain, it may be beneficial to see a chiropractor. Additionally, individuals who have joint or muscle pain and other muscle or skeletal conditions can also benefit from chiropractic care. To find out if chiropractic care can help you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Clouthier today.
What happens during a chiropractic appointment?
During your first appointment, your chiropractor will discuss your medical history and pain concerns. They will then perform a physical examination and create a treatment plan. Sometimes they may recommend diagnostic imaging.
Treatment plans with chiropractic care generally involve gentle manual adjustments to manipulate the joints. Most of the time, these are the spinal joints, but other joints may be manipulated as well, such as hips, knees, shoulders, and wrists to name a few. During a manual adjustment, your chiropractor will use their hands to exert a gentle, controlled force to realign the spine and increase flexibility.
Sometimes this can result in a “popping” noise. This is completely normal and should cause little to no discomfort. The popping noise is a change of pressure within the joint that causes a gas bubble to be released according to current scientific theories.
How many chiropractic appointments do I need?
The number of chiropractic appointments needed will depend upon your condition, as well as how your body responds to treatment. During your initial consultation, your chiropractor will discuss their proposed treatment plan and how many appointments are needed during the initial phase of care. Because chiropractic care is a hands-on treatment that can only be performed by your chiropractor in their offices, you can expect to have multiple visits. Dr. Clouthier does not sell packages of chiropractic visits or “one size fits all” treatment plans. Your care plan will be tailored for your particular health challenge and will always include recommendations that are holistic and look at the structural, nutritional and emotional/stress components to a physical complaint. This more complete way of looking at health challenges yields more effective and lasting results than standard chiropractic care alone.
Is chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractic care is the most non-invasive and drug-free treatment available for musculoskeletal conditions. Like any other health treatment, however, there are some possible risks associated with chiropractic care. These risks are usually mild and can include soreness, aching, and stiffness. In cases where this occurs, it generally fades within 24 hours of the appointment. Dr. Clouthier has been treating patients for over 20 years and finds his gentle method of adjusting to be comfortable and safe for thousands of his patients.