Chiropractic FAQs in West Monroe LA

Chiropractic is a licensed healthcare profession that focuses on promoting natural wellness and the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It is done by diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system, primarily the spine. The philosophy of chiropractic medicine is that the body, with its innate intelligence, when at its optimal state, in other words with no nervous system interference, is designed to heal itself. When a joint is not moving properly, spinal or otherwise, it will have associated with it inflammation and swelling. This causes displacement of the surrounding tissues which can easily interfere with the body’s ability to function properly. The beauty of this healthcare is that with a precise, focused non-surgical approach, proper function can be restored, and interference removed. Not only do patients return to what they need to do, but they return to what they want to do.

Conditions Chiropractic Care Can Help Treat Spinal & Musculoskeletal Conditions

1. Back Pain - Chiropractic adjustments help relieve tension, improve spinal alignment, and restore mobility.
2. Neck Pain - Poor posture, stress, and injuries can cause neck pain, which chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate.
3. Sciatica - Chiropractic care can reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve, relieving pain that radiates down the legs.
4. Herniated or Bulging Discs - Spinal adjustments and decompression therapy can help reduce disc-related pain and discomfort.
5. Scoliosis - Chiropractic care can help manage scoliosis-related discomfort and improve spinal function.
6. Poor Posture - Adjustments, exercises, and ergonomic recommendations can correct postural imbalances and reduce strain.
7. Whiplash & Auto Accident Injuries - Chiropractic adjustments restore mobility and reduce inflammation after an accident.
8. Joint Pain (Shoulders, Knees, Hips, Wrists, Ankles) - Adjustments and soft tissue therapy can improve joint function and reduce inflammation.
9. Osteoarthritis & Degenerative Joint Disease - Chiropractic care can help manage pain and improve mobility in arthritic joints.
10. Facet Joint Dysfunction - Adjustments help restore motion and alleviate pain in the small joints of the spine.

Nerve-Related Conditions

11. Pinched Nerves - Chiropractic adjustments relieve pressure on compressed nerves, reducing pain and numbness.
12. Radiculopathy (Nerve Pain Traveling Down Arms or Legs) - Chiropractic care can help decompress nerves, improving mobility and reducing discomfort.
13. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Adjustments and wrist mobilization techniques can reduce nerve compression and pain.
14. Peripheral Neuropathy - Chiropractic care can improve circulation and nerve function in affected areas.
15. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - Adjustments help relieve pressure on nerves and blood vessels in the upper chest and shoulders.

Headaches & Neurological Disorders

16. Tension Headaches - Chiropractic adjustments reduce stress and tension in the neck and upper back, alleviating headaches.
17. Migraines - Chiropractic care may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines by improving spinal function and reducing nerve irritation.
18. Vertigo & Dizziness - Certain chiropractic techniques help restore balance and improve vestibular function.
19. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ / Jaw Pain) - Chiropractic care can relieve jaw tension and improve joint function.
20. Bell's Palsy - Gentle chiropractic adjustments may support nerve function and improve facial muscle coordination.
Sports & Overuse Injuries
21. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) - Adjustments and soft tissue therapy can reduce inflammation and pain in the elbow joint.
22. Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) - Chiropractic care can improve joint function and reduce strain in the elbow.
23. Plantar Fasciitis - Chiropractic care helps reduce foot pain by addressing misalignments in the spine and lower extremities.
24. Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome) - Adjustments improve joint tracking and reduce knee pain.
25. Shin Splints - Chiropractic care can relieve muscle tension and improve lower leg biomechanics.

Work-Related & Repetitive Strain Injuries

26. Tech Neck (Text Neck Syndrome) - Chiropractic adjustments relieve neck strain caused by prolonged screen use.
27. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) - Adjustments and ergonomic advice can help prevent and manage repetitive motion injuries.
28. Postural Imbalances from Desk Work - Chiropractic care improves spinal alignment, reducing chronic tension.
29. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) - Adjustments and mobilization techniques can improve shoulder mobility.
30. Tendonitis (Various Joints) - Chiropractic care helps reduce inflammation and improve tendon function.

Pregnancy & Pediatric Conditions

31. Pregnancy-Related Back & Pelvic Pain - Chiropractic care helps alleviate pregnancy discomfort and supports pelvic alignment.
32. Pelvic Misalignment During Pregnancy - Gentle adjustments can optimize pelvic positioning for a smoother pregnancy and birth.
33. Colic in Infants - Some parents report reduced colic symptoms in babies after gentle chiropractic care.
34. Torticollis (Neck Stiffness in Babies & Adults) - Chiropractic adjustments can help restore normal neck movement.
35. Bedwetting (Enuresis) in Children - Spinal adjustments may support nervous system function and bladder control.

Chronic Pain & Systemic Conditions

36. Fibromyalgia - Chiropractic care may help manage widespread musculoskeletal pain and improve mobility.
37. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Adjustments help reduce stress and improve nervous system function, supporting overall energy levels.
38. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - Chiropractic care may help with pain management and circulation improvement.
39. Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Adjustments and soft tissue techniques can help relieve chronic muscle pain.
40. Muscle Spasms & Chronic Tightness - Chiropractic care can relax muscles and improve flexibility.

Circulatory & Internal Health Issues

41. High Blood Pressure - Some studies suggest chiropractic adjustments may help regulate blood pressure.
42. Digestive Disorders (IBS, Acid Reflux, Constipation) - Spinal misalignments can affect nerve control over digestion, and chiropractic care may help.
43. Menstrual Cramps & PMS Discomfort - Adjustments may help regulate nervous system function, easing cramps and hormonal imbalances.
44. Sinus Congestion & Chronic Allergies - Chiropractic care may improve sinus drainage and immune response.
45. Asthma & Respiratory Function Support - Chiropractic adjustments may improve nervous system function, supporting lung health.

Overall Wellness & Preventative Care

46. Weakened Immune System Support - Spinal adjustments may help optimize nervous system function, which supports immunity.
47. Insomnia & Sleep Disorders - Chiropractic care can reduce tension, pain, and nervous system imbalances, promoting better sleep.
48. Stress & Anxiety Management - Chiropractic adjustments help balance the nervous system and promote relaxation.
49. Balance & Coordination Issues - Chiropractic care improves spinal alignment and nervous system communication for better stability.
50. General Health & Wellness Maintenance - Regular chiropractic care helps keep the body functioning optimally, preventing future issues.

A Chiropractic adjustment is the technique used by a Doctor of Chiropractic, or Chiropractor, to restore proper motion to the joint. This is usually done by hand but can also be done using instrument-assisted and table-assisted methods. The Chiropractor positions the patient and with precise and controlled force, works to correct sometimes short term, but more commonly long-term subluxations of the spine and extremities. The sound you hear when an adjustment is performed correctly is gas being released inside the joint. It is not harmful. It is similar to the sound made when knuckles crack. There is nothing to fear or worry about. It is the goal and hope of every Chiropractor that a patient understands the importance of long-term Chiropractic care. It should take its rightful place in a patient's routine regimen of care to create a lifetime of health and wellness.

Chiropractic care is generally considered safe for most people when performed by a duly licensed Chiropractor. However, there are considerations that must be addressed when deciding if Chiropractic care is appropriate for any patient. This is why Chiropractors will do an extensive examination that often includes x-rays. The most common "side effects" of Chiropractic care is soreness and fatigue. There are some serious, but very rare risks, but these are usually associated with conditions in which the patient and provider are unaware. If you are considering Chiropractic care, it is never a bad idea to consult with your primary care provider and ask questions. As a side note, Chiropractors have the lowest malpractice insurance of any other healthcare professional, which speaks to the safety of the profession. Never hesitate to ask any and all questions of your Chiropractor. They are more than happy to alleviate any concerns you may have.

Every patient is unique, as is every condition presented. As such, every treatment plan is different. The severity and acuteness of the injury, the health of the patient, and any underlying conditions which may or can inhibit the influence the rate and speed of recovery all factor into what a treatment plan will look like. It is not unusual for a treatment plan to start off aggressively, then taper off after the first two to three weeks and last approximately three to four months. There are different types of treatment just as there are different types of patients: Acute, chronic, or wellness. Your Chiropractor's goal is not to just get you well, but to help keep you there. Chiropractic is a lifestyle. It is not only to relieve your pain. It is meant to enhance your life for all of your life.

There are many benefits of having Chiropractic care. They may include but are not limited to the following: pain relief, improved mobility, improved flexibility, better posture, increased and enhanced nervous system function, non-invasive and drug free treatment, reduced stress and tension, improved athletic performance, and support for overall well-being.

It is important to understand, as with all types of health care interventions, there are some risks to care, including but not limited to: muscle spasms, aggravating and/or temporary increase in symptoms, lack of improvement of symptoms, burns and/or scarring from electrical stimulation and from hot or cold therapies, fractures, disc injuries, strokes, dislocations, strains, and sprains. The most common of these is soreness and the perception that improvement is lacking. With respect to strokes, there is a very rare but serious condition known as an “arterial dissection” that typically is caused by a tear in the inner layer of the artery that may cause the development of a thrombus (blood clot) . With this comes the possibility of stroke. The best available scientific evidence supports the understanding that a chiropractic adjustment does not cause a dissection in a normal, healthy artery. Disease processes, genetic disorders, medications, and vessel abnormalities may cause an artery to be more susceptible to dissection. Strokes caused by arterial dissections have been associated with over 72 everyday activities such as sneezing, driving, and playing tennis. Arterial dissections occur in 3-4 of every 100,000 people whether they are receiving health care or not. Patients who experience this condition often, but not always, present to their healthcare provider with neck pain and/or headache. Unfortunately, a percentage of these patients will experience a stroke. The reported association between chiropractic visits and stroke is exceedingly rare and is estimated to be related in one in one million to one in two million cervical adjustments. For comparison, the incidence of hospital admission attributed to aspirin use from major GI events of the entire (upper and lower) GI tract was 1219 events/ per one million persons/year and risk of death has been estimated as 104 per one million users. In those terms, there is no reason to fear stroke associated with chiropractic treatments.

Most people experience relief, more movement, and a general sense of relaxation after an adjustment. However, everyone is different. It is not unusual to experience some soreness, similar to a post workout soreness or stiffness, within a day or two. One of the best things a patient can do to assist in reducing symptoms following an adjustment is to "drink water!" Ice is also your friend. We prefer ice over heat for at home comfort. For more information on this, please ask us. There is more to share and we are happy to do so.