Chiropractic care in Mesa is designed to treat pain and promote overall health and well-being. As such, when you talk to a chiropractor in Mesa, you can expect to hear a lot of medical terminology like you would at the doctor’s office or when talking to another healthcare professional. It is important that you learn a bit about this terminology before you go in for your treatment so that you can be a more active participant in the discussion and ask productive questions about your treatment.
Here are some more of the common terms you are likely to hear when getting chiropractic treatment in Arizona and beyond:
A lumbar roll is a chiropractic adjustment in which the chiropractor applies a quick thrust to vertebrae that have become misaligned. The treatment is performed while the patient lies on his or her side on a table.
The lumbar vertebrae are the five bones in the lower portion of the spine, above the coccyx.
Manipulation is the same as adjustment. It is a chiropractic treatment that involves applies firm yet gentle pressure on specific bones in order to relieve pressure on surrounding nerves. The goal is to treat pain and to restore normal motion.
Maintenance care is designed to keep your spine in alignment to prevent future problems with health. Also known as preventive care, maintenance care focuses on correcting subluxations by making minor spinal adjustments.
A migraine is like a headache, but it is more severe. Migraines often occur when blood flow is restricted to the brain, usually when the head or neck spasms and constricts the blood vessels. Chiropractic adjustments can relieve pressure that can cause reoccurring migraines.
The sciatic nerve is actually comprised of several smaller nerves all joined together in the pelvic area. When the sciatic nerve is compressed, it can lead to a condition called sciatica, which can cause pain, numbness and tingling in the legs, buttocks, feet and toes. Chiropractic care can relieve the pressure on the nerve, providing pain relief.
Scoliosis is characterized by curvature of the spine. It is a condition that usually begins early in childhood.
“Slipped disc” is just another name for a herniated disc.
The spinal column is what most of us think of as the spine. It consists of a series of bones, vertebrae, that protect the spinal cord and nerves. The spinal column also provides support for the body and allows it to move in multiple directions.
In chiropractic care, strengthening exercises are those that specifically strengthen your core, including the abdominal and back muscles. These are the muscles that protect and support the spine.
Stretching exercises focus on elongating and relaxing the muscles around your spine, as well as making the soft tissue more flexible. These exercises can also be prescribed for other areas of the body that support the spine (or are affected by it), such as the neck.
A subluxation is just another term for a misalignment in the spine. Subluxations can cause pain and weakness, as well as limit mobility, by applying pressure to the nerves in and around the spine.
Chiropractic adjustments that are performed while a patient lies on a table especially designed for treatment.
Therapeutic massage focuses on manipulating the muscles and soft tissues to provide pain relief and alleviate stress. It can also be used to treat muscle spasms.
The thoracic vertebrae consist of the 12 spinal bones between the cervical vertebrae (in the neck) and the lumbar vertebrae (at the lower portion of the spine).
Ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to heat soft tissues. Chiropractors use ultrasound to see the condition of the muscles, tendons, nerve roots, joints and other components of the spine. Ultrasound can be used to better understand the condition of the body and to determine the best course of treatment.
Vertebral bodies, or vertebrae, are the 24 bones that create the support column for the spinal cord. These bones move with the body.
The discs are comprised of collagen, not bone, and they are located between the vertebral bodies. Their primary role is to cushion the shock to the spine during movement and impact.
Whiplash occurs when the muscles in the neck or upper spine are hyperextended. This type of injury is often suffered in a car accident, when a person suddenly comes to a stop after going a fast speed.
The friendly professionals at BodyWorkz in Arizona are ready to answer your questions about these or any other chiropractic-related terms or concepts. We provide multiple treatment options for chronic pain and other health issues, including chiropractic care, acupuncture in Mesa and therapeutic massage in Mesa. Call us today to learn more about how our treatments can help you achieve greater health and wellness.
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