Chiropractors in Durham
What is Chiropractic treatment?
Chiropractic treatment uses a range of techniques to reduce pain, improve function and increase mobility, including hands-on manipulation of the spine.
Chiropractic involves safe, often gentle, specific spinal manipulation to free joints in the spine or other areas of the body that are not moving properly.
Apart from manipulation, chiropractors may use a variety of techniques including ice, heat, ultrasound, exercise and dry needling as well as advice about posture and lifestyle.
As well as manual treatment, chiropractors are able to offer a package of care which includes advice on self-help, therapeutic exercises and lifestyle changes.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a technique used by your chiropractor for the treatment of pain and movement impairments. The technique uses a “dry” needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle.
Your chiropractor uses dry needling with the goal of releasing trigger points to relieve pain or improve range of motion. Research supports that dry needling improves pain, reduces muscle tension, and normalizes dysfunctions of the motor end plates, the sites at which nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles. This can help speed up the return to active rehabilitation.
Please note: Dry needling is different to acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by acupuncturists.
What does a chiropractor do?
At your first appointment, your chiropractor will assess your symptoms to determine if chiropractic is suitable, and what techniques are likely to help.
Chiropractic uses different techniques to treat problems with your muscles and joints, including:
- spinal manipulation – using hands to apply force to muscles, bones and joints of the spine and neck
- short, sharp thrusting movements
- gradually moving your joints into different positions
- pulling or stretching your muscles in different directions
Chiropractors are trained in using manipulation to free stiff or restricted joints. This can also be called ‘adjustments’ or ‘manual therapy’. Manipulation involves the chiropractor using their hands to apply quick, precise thrusts to the restricted joints.
During manipulation there may be popping sounds (similar to the ‘crack’ heard when people flex their knuckles). This is quite harmless. It is just the sound of gas bubbles popping in the fluid of the joints as pressure is released.
Chiropractic may also include massage, stretching, electrotherapy and the gradual moving of joints (‘mobilisation’). Some chiropractors use dry needling techniques, while others may use a hand-held instrument called an ‘activator’ to manipulate joints.