Chiropractic Care and Acupuncture: A Drug-Free Approach to Wellness

According to Research Gate, about 13.6% Filipino adults suffer from some form of chronic pain, and 21% of them reported having low back pain. It can be said that they should not be taken for granted. After all, if left untreated, they can have detrimental effects on one’s daily activities and quality of life. In worse-case scenarios, dripping down on social and family environments.

All is not lost for affected Filipinos, thanks to chiropractic in Manila, which if performed together with acupuncture, can bring wonders to chronic pain management and overall health improvement. Read on to find out more.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, chiropractic is a holistic form of medicine that is based on the link between the spine’s alignment and body functions.

A core concept of the said practice is the belief that the body, if given proper support in the form of spinal adjustment and manipulation, can heal itself. The word chiropractic is derived from the Greek word “cheir” and “praxis,” which means hand and practice. They refer to the hands-on therapy that is included in chiropractic massage and other similar treatment options.

On top of the said procedures, a doctor of chiropractic in Manila may also perform diagnostic testing, lab testing, and other forms of diagnosis. Treatment may also include lying on one’s stomach on a table, while the said healthcare practitioner utilizes his or her hands to realign the spine and other joints.

What is Acupuncture?

According to Mayo Clinic, acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine method that constitutes the insertion of thin needles through the skin at appropriate points or regions on the body. It has made a name for itself when it comes to pain treatment. In line with this, it is also gaining popularity when it comes to stress management and overall wellness.

How does acupuncture work? Well, per traditional Chinese medicine, it balances the flow of chi or qi (energy or life force), which is believed to flow via meridians (pathways) in the body. By inserting needles into specific meridian points, an acupuncturist is said to re-balance the flow of chi.

Contrastingly, a number of Western practitioners view acupuncture points as regions to stimulate nerves, connective tissues, and muscles. It is believed that this form of stimulation can boost the body’s capacity to produce endorphins or the body’s natural pain killers.

How Does Chiropractic Relieve Pain?

A study that was published in the National Library of Medicine suggests that the potential of chiropractic when it comes to pain management is simply promising. The study involved a 61-year-old female patient who had low back pain, neck pain, and knee pain that are associated with over 20 surgeries.

After undergoing two chiropractic sessions every week for four weeks, the patient was able to reduce the occurrence of chronic pain and the use of pain medications. Therefore, it can be said that one does not have to wonder why it has become a popular complementary treatment for pain management.

Here, a licensed doctor of chiropractic (emphasis on licensed), utilizes just the right amount of pressure to manipulate and mobilize the joints in the body. This, in an effort to realign the spine. If performed properly, it can effectively and efficiently alleviate pain, discomfort, etc.

Some of the notable pain relief benefits of chiropractic are as follows:

• Reduce nerve irritation
• Tap the body’s natural healing process
• Refine range of motion
• Allow muscle spasms to decrease

The best part about chiropractic is that there is more to it than just pain relief and managing discomfort. According to Rx Wellness, the said holistic approach can lead to a number of health gains. This is by zeroing in on the root cause of the pain as well as dysfunction. Some of its benefits are elaborated below:

• Optimum spinal alignment that can lead to improved posture
• Enhanced athletic performance and recovery
• Reduced stress
• Increased energy levels
• Improved vitality
• Fortified immune system

How Does Acupuncture Relieve Pain?

According to Cleveland Clinic, acupuncture can induce a calming effect. In line with this, some of its other benefits include but are not limited to relief from chronic pain and other health ailments. Many individuals who are affected by chronic pain turn to acupuncture to relieve various forms of pain: migraines, arthritis, back pain, and so forth.

It can be said that acupuncture is generally safe and effective. Plus, the complication rate is quite low. Complications that were reported in medical journals determined that the most serious issues that were related to the said TCM method include accidental insertion of needles into the lungs and the chest wall, but it is important to note that it is extremely rare.

In fact, a vast majority of its cases took place in shady as well as unlicensed facilities. Furthermore, the advent of single-use as well as sealed needle packages has reduced–if not eliminated–the risks of hepatitis B, HIV, and other blood-borne infections.

Which is better, chiropractor or acupuncture?

There are several cases when chiropractic or acupuncture is appropriate or may complement each other. On the one hand, the former can proactively address musculoskeletal ailments, and in this aspect, it has more practical applications compared to the latter. On the other hand, acupuncture is proven to be safe and effective in relieving general pain.

It should be noted that the strategic integration of the said holistic therapies offers a, say, more comprehensive understanding of the overall health and well-being of patients. A doctor of chiropractic may pinpoint structural issues that may pave the way to energy blockages, while a doctor of acupuncture may find energy imbalances that are linked to misalignments. It can be said that such a collaborative approach can lead to more targeted and, therefore, more efficient treatment strategies.

For best results, treatments should be properly scheduled in a complementary manner. Many health experts recommend that patients receive acupuncture first; then chiropractic. This allows the body’s muscles to loosen up and relax; because of this, such a sequence can maximize the benefits of both therapies.

If you are looking for a chiropractic in Manila clinic that can complement your acupuncture treatment, then book an appointment and visit us at Posture Perfect Chiropractic. Our doctors of chiropractic can help you get the treatment that your body needs to improve your overall health and well-being.