Chiropractics — a treatment where the practitioner uses their hands on a patient's bones or muscles but typically in the spine — may seem to be useful only for dealing with problems with the joints. But in fact, there is research that a chiropractor can help with many other health problems.

Migraines and headaches

Headaches have many different causes and therefore need different treatments. However, there is research to support the view that chiropractic treatment can be highly beneficial. Migraines have been shown to respond well to spinal manipulations, with both the number and severity of attacks decreasing in response to therapy. The causes of migraines aren't fully known, but it has been suggested that manipulation of the spine can calm down signals from the nerves which lead to the pain.

Other headaches are often caused by muscle tension in the neck, which is why they come on so often as a result of watching television or staring at a computer screen. Chiropractors can remove this tension, both through manipulation and also through giving advice on good posture and nutrition.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood condition in which the patient suffers from pain throughout the entire musculoskeletal system. This often has effects on mood and sleep patterns and can contribute to depression and other mental health conditions. As the cause of the condition is unknown, it is not always easy for patients to find solutions to all of their symptoms. However, chiropractic treatment has been shown to reduce pain, and relieve some of the side effects such as insomnia. The manipulations can improve the nervous system, leading to a reduction in pain and an improvement in recovery. As well as helping in general, chiropractors can also treat pain in particular problem areas such as the back or shoulders.

Immune system

It may seem that chiropractic can only help with conditions directly connected to the bones and muscles. In fact, it now appears that problems with the spine can lead to stress in the nerve pathways and that this can lead to problems with the immune system. Spinal manipulation can reduce this stress and lead to an improved immune system, which in turn leads to improved recovery from other illnesses and conditions.

If you suffer from any of the above conditions, you may want to seek the help of a chiropractor in addition to the care of your doctor.

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