Injuries require treatment. Whether you got injured on the football field, in a car accident or from a slip or fall, the result is the same: you hurt. Even months later, after you have completed whatever therapy your traditional doctor recommended, you may still be in pain. While you can certainly take pills to mask the pain, you do have other options.

Chiropractors are trained in methods that can be used to alleviate pain and restore function to injured areas of the body. They have a full spectrum of tools with which to do so. Listed below are the most common treatments offered at a chiropractic office.

Adjustments -

Chiropractors are best known for their ability to adjust misaligned parts of the spine. Also called spinal adjustment, this practice is designed to decrease any misalignment and also to relieve the associated pain.

Chiropractors first evaluate the patient to determine the location and severity of the problem. Then, using their hands, they reposition the vertebrae to a more natural position.

Trigger Point Therapy -

There are points in the body where muscles remain in contracture, causing pain. These trigger points may recur frequently, especially if you have been in a motor vehicle accident or have a stressful lifestyle. Applying pressure to these spots in the proper manner can help the muscles relax, relieving tension and pain. Trigger point therapy is often incorporated during the course of a massage.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) -

This treatment uses electrical currents to relieve pain with the goal of increasing patient mobility. Research suggests that the current increases endorphin levels which helps combat pain.

Heat or Cold Therapy -

The use of hot and cold packs has a long and respectable history. Used in an alternating fashion they can help flush inflammation out of an area. Heat increases blood flow and cold decreases it. Cold is commonly used for acute injuries and heat for chronic ones, but the exact recommendations depend upon the injury involved.

Combining Techniques for Maximum Effect -

Few chiropractors use a technique to the exclusion of all others. When you come in to see your practitioner after an injury, you can expect to be evaluated for range-of-motion, pain levels and any unseen trauma.

The course of treatment may include spending some time with ice packs which are followed with 15 minutes of TENS. Following that you are likely to have an adjustment or trigger point therapy and some more ice or warm packs before you leave. In combination these treatments are more effective than when they stand alone.

Long Term Effects -

Some injuries, such as whiplash, muscle tears and blunt force trauma can leave lasting effects that require long courses of treatment and follow-up. Even if you were treated traditionally, after such an injury you may still experience pain.

If you are in pain several months after an injury that was treated traditionally, you may want to consider seeing a chiropractor as well. By allowing yourself to experience multiple therapies you may achieve a better result; one that finally leaves you pain free.

HealthSource would like to present you with a limited time complimentary consultation, a $179.00 value. To Find the closest chiropractic office near you, go to http://HealthSourceofEastBrunswick.com or call 1-888-977-6734 today.