Chiropractic Care

Explaining everything you need to know about chiropractic care in Tampa so you can decide whether it’s right for you.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a type of physical rehabilitation that focuses on treating the neuromusculoskeletal system.

Chiropractic care has a lot of similarities with other forms of physical rehabilitation, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy. However, what makes chiropractic care unique–in addition to its areas of focus–is its emphasis on physical alignment, manual manipulation, and the use of diagnostic imaging (like X-rays) as part of treatment.

Chiropractic care focuses on treating the following parts of the body:

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Bones

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Nerves

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Muscles

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Tendons

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Ligaments

Chiropractic Care vs. Physical Therapy

It can be tricky to distinguish chiropractic care from physical therapy, and it’s undeniable that there is overlap between both.

The key difference is that physical therapy focuses primarily on movement, while chiropractic care focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system.

Of course, neuromusculoskeletal issues can substantially impact movement, and vice-versa. This is one of the reasons why physical therapy can often be a component of chiropractic care. With that said, there are a few other differences between the practical approaches of each specialty:

Use highly specialized machines and equipment

Physical Therapists

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Focus primarily on mobility and exercise

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Don't take diagnostic images

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Use gear such as tables and exercise equipment, but rarely require a highly specialized space

Chiropractic Care vs. Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy has a great deal of similarities to physical therapy and even chiropractic care, but its primary focus is on teaching patients adaptability. The goal of an occupational therapist is to give their patients the tools they need in order to be able to perform everyday tasks, like eating, chores, and self-care.

The goal of occupational therapy is to make it as easy and painless as possible for patients to perform any activity after injury, illness, or disability. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, seeks to treat poor physical alignment, reduce undue strain on the body, and reduce pain or discomfort.

Treating Pain and Promoting Mobility

Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for both acute and chronic pain.

Acute pain develops suddenly as the direct result of an injury or other affliction.
Chronic pain either develops or persists over time.

Pain, stiffness, and discomfort don’t exist on their own; they are usually the body’s way of signaling to us that something is wrong.

Addressing the Root Cause of Symptoms

Chiropractors work closely with their patients, using both X-rays and physical exams to determine what could be causing the issue, then addressing those root causes at the source. Common causes of pain or stiffness that are targeted during chiropractic care include:

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Compressed spines

Compressed spines can cause herniated, bulging, or degenerated spinal discs

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Poor spinal alignment

Poor spinal alignment leads to undue strain on other parts of the body and can result in pain over time.

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Disproportionate strain or stress

Disproportionate strain or stress on any given part of the body due to a persisting or improperly treated injury.

Regardless of the type of pain, stiffness, or discomfort you are experiencing, the persistent goal of chiropractic care is to address its root causes in order to bring about long-term relief.

The Main Components of Chiropractic Care

The most important element of chiropractic care is that it is tailored to the unique needs, goals, and experiences of each patient. With that being said, there are universal components of chiropractic care that most patients can expect to experience.

Chiropractic care often entails the application of precise bursts of force to specific parts of the body. This is done because, over time, stress, poor posture, undue strain, and general wear and tear can cause the spine and other key parts of the body to become misaligned. This poor alignment can in turn lead to stiffness, discomfort, and even pain.

By restoring proper alignment and encouraging healthy mobility, chiropractors help patients achieve both short- and long-term relief.

Spinal Decompression

Both sudden injuries and chronic strain can place pressure on the spinal cord, leading to a condition called spinal compression. This, in turn, can lead to the spine’s discs herniating, bulging outward, or even wearing down.

Spinal decompression uses sophisticated machinery to safely stretch the spine, alleviating pressure and allowing the discs to heal.

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Spinal Adjustment

Perhaps the most popular and easily identifiable aspect of chiropractic care, manual manipulation is the use of targeted movements and applications of force in order to realign key parts of the body, including the:

Neck
Spine
Shoulders
Hips

Spinal Adjustment Misconceptions

Spinal adjustment can be intimidating for those who are unfamiliar with it. This, in turn, can lead to misconceptions that spinal adjustment is any of the following:

Painful
Dangerous
Ineffective

When done correctly by a trained medical professional, spinal adjustment is none of those things–but it can bring you tremendous relief, reduce stiffness, bolster mobility, and minimize pain.

Manual Muscle Therapy

Manual muscle therapy, which is delivered similarly to a massage, is done to alleviate muscular pain, promote blood flow in specific muscles, encourage relaxation, and decrease tightness. It also offers a variety of other benefits, including:

Improved lymphatic flow, which is linked to a stronger immune system
Longer and higher-quality sleep
Pain reduction, which leads to a lower dependence on medications for pain management

Exercise Therapy

Exercise therapy is the aspect of chiropractic treatment that is most similar to physical therapy. It consists of targeted movement that’s meant to strengthen the muscles. Some of the health benefits of exercise therapy include:

Preventing undue reliance on other body parts due to underdeveloped muscles, which avoids injury and misalignment
Improving cardiovascular health
Giving patients useful long-term tools that they can apply to their lifestyles beyond treatment

The Essential Approach

Essential ChiroCare is a family-owned and operated practice, and every patient is treated like family, too. What makes Essential different? We’re glad you asked.

Tailored treatments

We work with every patient to find out their unique pain points, goals, and preferences in order to chart a course of treatment that makes sense for them.

No insurance constraints

We offer care plans that exist outside of the limitations of insurance so that each session can be tailored to your needs, not your policy.

Concierge care

Our attentive approach is designed to help you through every step of your recovery with one-of-a-kind solutions designed just for you.

What to Expect from Essential ChiroCare

Chiropractic care doesn’t have to be scary–and it shouldn’t be stressful. It’s an exciting opportunity to improve your mobility, reduce your pain, and set the stage for a long and happy life. Here’s an idea of what to expect when you work with us:

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Set up your first consultation

We’ll talk through your pain points, explore your goals, and listen to what you’re looking to get out of your care.

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Devise a treatment plan

Devise a treatment plan that’s tailored to your unique needs so that we can bring about the results you’re looking for.

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Offer education, support, and flexibility

Offer education, support, and flexibility so that your care always puts you first.

Schedule Your Consultation

Whether your pain and discomfort is longstanding or new, we are a Tampa chiropractor who will work with you to get to its root cause so that you don’t just feel well, but are well. Set up a consultation with us to get started.