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Don't wait for pain before seeing a chiropractor

by Krystal Paco

Guam - You may make regular visits to your family physician and dentist, but when is it time to see a chiropractor? About 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually, 35% of which are seeking relief from back pain from various causes, including accidents, sports injuries, and muscle strains. Besides back pain, many complain of pain in the neck, arms, legs, or headaches.

Chiropractics revolves around the theory that proper alignment of the body's musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, will enable the body to heal itself without surgery or medication. Dr. Steve Arthur of Active Life Chiropractic said, "Chiropractics is very, very important for the nervous system throughout the day, and the months and weeks as we stand as we sit gravity is constantly compacting the spine any pressure on the spine can end up with pressure to the nervous system."

It may be time to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor when you experience back or neck pain that lasts for more than three days, have reoccurring headaches that are aggravated by stress and neck or shoulder tension, pain that radiates or moves away from the point of pain, struggle with reduced range of motion in the neck or back, or when headaches, neck, and back pain make it difficult to sleep at night.

"We get a whole variety of patients, lower back pain is always a big one - neck pains, headaches, knee problems, shoulder problems, pretty much all of the musculoskeletal system," he added.

Dr. Arthur says that although he still uses traditional chiropractics, today's technologies, like vibeplates are enhancing his practice and shortening the rehabilitation exercises by up to 600%. "So what would normally take five weeks of rehabilitative training we can do in a week or less…I'm constantly excited about the new therapies we're getting and what we can do with new technologies - just amazing advances for musculoskeletal care," he said.

So remember, you shouldn't be living in pain. Upon meeting a chiropractor, be prepared to tell the doctor when and how the pain started, where it's located, if it's a result of an injury, and what activities make the pain feel better or worse.