It is no secret that the US is facing a crisis of epic proportions. With phrases like “opioid epidemic” and “opioid crisis” littering the news on a regular basis, it sometimes feels like we are facing two choices – live a life in pain or live a life of dependence on dangerous medications. Fortunately, there is a third option that has been clinically shown to minimize pain and maximize function without a prescription.
Pain and Your Brain
The center of every experience we have, every illness we face, every pain we endure is found in the central nervous system. This vital part of your body is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. When you stub your toe, signals travel from your toe through your spinal cord and directly to your brain where it is interpreted as sharp, throbbing pain. Your body then naturally releases opioids to help interrupt the pain signals and settle your brain into a more relaxed state.
How Opioids Work
Prescription opioid medications bind to the pain receptors in your brain, preventing them from receiving signals. While this process sounds nice for someone in excruciating pain, there are two inherent problems with this system. First, your brain loses its ability to respond to opioids it receives which creates dependence on prescription pain medication. Second, it does not address the underlying cause of a person’s pain, nor does this type of medication improve someone’s overall function.
The Chiropractic Difference
Even if someone has heard of chiropractic care, chances are their understanding is limited.
Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to improving the body’s function. By eliminating the interruptions in the way, the brain receives signals from the body, the body is allowed to heal itself, improve its function, and limit its own pain naturally and effectively.
For instance, if you experience chronic low back pain from a slipped or bulging disc, pain medication may keep you going for a while, but it will not fix the bulging or herniated disc on your back. Chiropractic adjustments that allow the disc to have the space it needs to repair itself will not only relieve your pain over time, it will also help you bend, lift, stretch, and otherwise return to normal function.
What Chiropractic Care is:
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Safe
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Drug-free
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Non-habit forming.
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A scientifically proven way to reduce the amount of pain you experience.
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A way to improve your body’s function.
What Chiropractic Care is Not:
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A magic pill. In fact, it is not a pill at all.
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A quick fix. While many of our patients experience some relief after their first adjustment, chiropractic care offers a cumulative effect. The more diligent you are with completing a treatment plan, the greater the benefit you will experience, the more long-term success you will have.
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Dangerous. Chiropractors are highly trained medical professionals that can offer you a customized treatment experience based on your body and your needs. Even though many treatments use strange-looking equipment, every chiropractic process is rooted in science, rigorously tested, and safe.
For more information on how chiropractic care can help you eliminate pain without prescriptions, call our office today..