People experiencing severe pain due to an acute injury or chronic condition sometimes prefer to see a chiropractor. The chiropractors are great at relieving any kind of pain and helping to speed up your recovery. They believe in using drug-free and natural techniques. Their chiropractic adjustments can help improve your body functions.
Can Chiropractors Write Prescriptions?
In the US, chiropractors are not generally permitted to prescribe drugs or perform surgery. They use natural and drug-free techniques to help their patients. However, they can write prescriptions for some other treatments or services.
Here are some examples of the treatments that they can prescribe:
Can Chiropractors Write Prescriptions – Some treatments that they can prescribe
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Joint braces or tape
- Ice or heat therapy
- Herbal Chinese medication
- Acupuncture and many more
Different insurance companies can cover the cost of these treatments. However, you must submit these prescriptions or referrals to receive that coverage.
How the Chiropractor Practitioners Actually Work?
Chiropractor medicines are often referred to as alternative medicines or natural medicines. Most chiropractors believe that the human body has the capability to heal itself in most conditions. According to them, drug intake for every big or small problem can be alarming for your body.
Doctors often prescribe opioid medications for pain. An overdose of opioids can be quite harmful to your body. According to the National Chiropractic Association, their treatment process is a drug-free and non-surgical science. The practitioners use some non-surgical and physical adjustments to help their patients.
Their primary goals are:
- Relieve pain
- Increase stamina
- Improve function
- Improve flexibility
- Reduce the emotional and physical stress of pain
However, chiropractors are not anti-medication. Some people can get relief from severe pain using medication. Many chiropractors prefer to work together with the patient’s physician.
Together, they can make an effective pain management plan that includes prescribed drugs and chiropractic treatments according to the patient’s needs.
Some chiropractors can also refer to alternative treatments, including homeopathy, physical therapy, naturopathy, and massage, to help their patients.
Popular Pain Management Techniques Used by the Chiropractors
Here are four popular pain management techniques used by chiropractors.
1. Chiropractic Interventions
A chiropractor takes care of your entire musculoskeletal systems, such as neck pain, lower back pain, headache, shoulder pain, and more. They try to ensure that all your joints move properly and your muscles are well-functioning and strong. Their primary goal is to find the root cause of your pain. It helps them to initiate the appropriate treatment method and help you to recover fast.
Different Techniques of Chiropractic Interventions:
1. Manual Adjustment
The chiropractors use pressure with their hands to correct misalignment and move your joints effectively. This process is called the manual adjustment technique. The experts perform manual adjustments with quick motions. As a result, it does not cause much pain.
However, the patient may feel a cracking or popping sensation. This is an ideal method to maintain your body function at the highest level and without any pain.
2. The Graston Technique
Other than chiropractors, some professionals may use Graston therapy to treat their patients.
- Physical therapists
- Athletic trainers
- Osteopathic doctors
- Massage therapists
This technique is also called soft-tissue instrument-assisted mobilization. The experts use specialized instruments to gently scrape or massage your skin and identify the restricted areas in your body.
The primary goals of this technique are:
- Break down scar tissue
- Stretch connective tissues
- Lose fascia restriction associated with acute soft tissue injuries
3. Activator Adjustments
It is often considered a softer chiropractic technique. The activator is a handheld and small device. The experts use this device to deliver low-force impulses to your spine. This technique can make your body muscles not tense up in response to any pressure.
This is an appropriate technique for patients who are nervous about receiving manual adjustments.
4. Interferential Current Therapy
It is a type of electrical muscle stimulation that can help relieve any chronic pain caused by an injury, surgery, or trauma. It is a painless, non-invasive, and safe method. Experts use a machine to deliver a small amount of electrical stimulation to your damaged tissues.
It can increase blood flow and promote the production of your healing hormones. As a result, IFC can boost the healing ability of your body. This method can be used for treating muscle strain, joint pain, sports injuries, and more.
5. Kinesiotaping
It is a type of taping that can lift your fascia and your skin, increase blood flow, and boost the healing process. This method can be used in treating several conditions.
- Mechanically block the unwanted movement.
- Add stability while maintaining or increasing the range of motion
- Facilitate proper firing sequences of your muscles through a neurological stimulation
2. Acupuncture
It is a type of traditional Chinese medicine. Experts insert thin needles through the patient’s skin at various depths and at different points of their body. This practice can release endorphins which can help to relieve the pain.
3. Herbal Medications
Some herbal medications are very effective in treating neuropathic and inflammatory pain, including joint pain, muscle strain, nerve pain, and more.
4. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can relieve stress, joint pain, muscle fatigue, tension, and chronic headaches. It is generally the manipulation of soft tissues that include:
- Tendons
- Muscles
- Skin
- Ligaments
- Connective tissues
Conclusion
Chiropractic practitioners can offer you multiple treatment methods to offer relief from pain. They can not prescribe any drugs for your treatment. They believe in natural healing without any drugs. However, they can prescribe different treatment methods or services like massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, and many more.
See Also
Can You Prescribe for Yourself?
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe
Do Chiropractors Go to Medical School?
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