For anyone interested in receiving professional chiropractic care for an injury, illness, or even just to maintain quality health as you get older, you're sure to have a lot of questions. One of the most common questions (and most important) comes down to this: is seeing a chiropractor safe? For someone unfamiliar with this approach to treatment, the manual techniques may seem frightening or even potentially painful. But with millions of people receiving regular chiropractic care all over the world, it's important to understand the clear benefits to visiting a chiropractor and receiving chiropractic care. Here, we're taking a closer look at the world of chiropractic care, revealing just how safeâ€”and effectiveâ€”this type of treatment can be for a wide variety of patients. When seeing a professional, licensed chiropractor, there's no need to be concerned. For most patients, chiropractic adjustments feel like soft pressure or even pleasant. And with so many health benefits, including pain relief and better mobility, you'll be feeling great long after.

What is Chiropractic Care?

From the National Center for Complementary Integrative Health (NCCIH), chiropractic is a "licensed healthcare profession that emphasizes the body's ability to heal itself." This, in part, is why chiropractic care can be so effective. Chiropractors work with your body's natural healing processes, not against them, to effectively relieve pain, improve mobility, and optimize your overall health and wellness. Unlike other treatments, such as consuming pain medication when something hurts (which only really works to temporarily mask the pain and symptoms), chiropractic care treats the source of your injury or illness.When someone goes in for chiropractic care, the treatment mostly consists of manual therapy like spinal manipulation and chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments are carefully controlled manual touches around the muscles and ligaments to realign the body to its natural positioning so it can effectively heal. Receiving chiropractic adjustments can relax the nervous system, realign the spine and the rest of the body, and provide pain relief and improved joint mobility. Alongside additional treatments, like massage therapy or acupuncture, visiting a chiropractor can truly be a life-changing experience.

Is Seeing a Chiropractor Safe?

Safety should always be a top concern when you're entering any type of medical treatment or care. This is why your first step in pursuing chiropractic treatments is making sure you're visiting a licensed, professional chiropractor with the necessary experienced and qualifications. A quick online search should be able to tell you everything you need to know. Additionally, reading online reviews can be a great way to learn even more about your potential chiropractor. To answer the primary question though, yes, chiropractic care is a safe form of treatment for a wide range of injuries and ailments. Based primarily on a series of manual adjustments that work to realign your body and heal your muscles and ligaments, chiropractic care is based on gentle but firm touches that work with your body. Free of medication and complex medical tools, this is one of the most natural ways you can treat your body. Over time, regular chiropractic visits can even help you prevent future injuriesIn tandem with chiropractic adjustments and spinal compression, some chiropractic offices will also offer additional types of holistic treatment. Commonly, they may also incorporate methods like acupuncture or massage therapy to better treat their patient's specific healthcare needs. Another reason why chiropractic care has become so popular in recent years is because, similar to physical therapy, it can effectively respond to many different types of patients.What exactly can be treated by visiting a chiropractor? Take a look:

Chronic back pain.
Neck pain and stiffness.
Limited joint mobility.
Car accident injuries.
Sports-related injuries.
Sciatica pain.
Post-surgical care.
Pediatric care.
Learning to use an assistive device (walker, cane, prosthetic limb).

In fact, many note that chiropractic care is a safer alternative to other types of medical treatment, such as surgeries or medication. With surgeries, there's always the risk for adverse side effects or a complicated and long healing process that can keep you off your feet for weeks. With prescription medication, there's also the potential for adverse side effects or addictive concerns, such as what many patients have experienced using common pain medication. Receiving chiropractic care can help you avert both of these options and utilize an approach to treatment that works with your body to heal naturally.Of course, this doesn't mean you should always rule out other types of care. In some cases, you may actually benefit more from a surgical procedure or a combination of multiple types of care. This is why it's important carefully consult your primary care doctor to help you determine the most effective treatment for your injury or illness. But you should never entirely rule out chiropractic care out of fear that it isn't safe.

Conclusion - Is Seeing a Chiropractor Safe?

If you're suffering from chronic back pain, neck pain or stiffness, limited mobility, or recovering from a car accident injury or sports injury, chiropractic care could be for you. Chiropractors are trained specialists who work with your body to help it heal naturally and more effectively. Compared to other types of treatment, such as surgery or medication, chiropractic care is seen as a far safer treatment with fewer risks and side effects. As a holistic approach to care, it also treats the entire bodyâ€”not just one symptom.If you think you'll benefit from visiting a chiropractor, consult your general physician or look online for a chiropractor's office near you. During an initial consultation, they can help you understand the benefits of chiropractic care and determine the most effective treatment plan for your specific healthcare needs. Don't wait a day longer in pain. Chiropractic care is holistic, effective, and yes, safe.