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Chiropractic
- Anna Krauss
- Mar 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 26
A holistic healthcare approach focused on restoring and maintaining the body's function.
What is chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care originated in the U.S. in 1895, founded by Daniel David Palmer. According to Palmer, the main causes of disease were rooted in three categories of stressors that disrupt the body’s natural function: physical stress, toxins, and emotional stress. Palmer believed that these stressors could result in misalignments of the spine that disrupt the flow of nerve energy, leading to dysfunction and disease.
Chiropractic care aims to correct these misalignments to restore the body’s ability to heal itself naturally. In chiropractic philosophy, a disease is not viewed as a standalone entity or a condition to be treated directly, as it is in conventional medicine. Instead, chiropractic sees disease as the result of a loss of harmony or balance in the body, particularly due to interference in the nervous system.
This interference disrupts the body’s natural ability to self-regulate and heal, which is central to maintaining health.
Chiropractic care is presented as preventive, safe, and focused on enhancing quality of life without medication or surgery.
How can chiropractic help?
Conditions treated by chiropractors:
Back and neck pain
Headaches and migraines
Sciatica and nerve-related pain
Joint pain (e.g., shoulders, knees, and hips)
Postural imbalances and musculoskeletal injuries.
What techniques do chiropractors use?
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques, including:
Spinal Manipulation Adjustments: Manual or instrument-assisted adjustments to correct misalignments.
Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques like massage, stretching, and myofascial release to relieve muscle tension.
Exercise Therapy: Prescribing exercises to strengthen muscles and support recovery.
Lifestyle Advice: Providing guidance on posture, ergonomics, and healthy habits.
My experience
My journey with chiropractic care started a couple of years ago, quite unexpectedly. I was listening to a podcast and the guest happened to be a chiropractor. He was talking about how chiropractic care isn't just about treating pain, but about optimizing your overall health and well-being. The idea of treating the whole person, not just symptoms, resonated with me. After the podcast finished, I sent a note to the practice where this chiropractor worked and asked them for a recommendation for a practitioner near me. Through them, I found a really experienced doctor who made me feel comfortable right away.
How my chiropractic sessions go?
The first session was the longest one, involving a thorough examination of my body, my lifestyle, stress level, and health history.
At that time, I was self-employed and had lots of existential fears. This resulted in muscle tension and bad sleep, which in turn caused shoulder and neck pain – my primary complaint.
During the following sessions, the chiropractor used different techniques to work on the muscles and tissues around my spine. Neck cracking is also an often-used technique which requires a lot of trust in the practitioner's abilities, and I'm lucky to have this trust :)
My practitioner uses tape bands after the session as an additional support or applies acupuncture needles. After chiropractic adjustments, I experience pain relief - I tend to have neck and shoulder pain as I sit at my computer a lot. At the same time, I sometimes feel tired, sad, and overwhelmed with emotions that suddenly arise. I feel that the physical adjustments help me unleash suppressed emotions, allowing me to let them go and stabilize my emotional state.
Chiropractic care has seriously improved my life. Just knowing that when something is off—physically or emotionally—I can go to my trusted practitioner to get my body aligned and restore the energy flow is so precious. Now, I go for adjustments every couple of weeks. It's become a part of my self-care routine. I also make sure to get plenty of rest and allow some downtime after the session, as I don't know what might be released next.
Disclaimer: This post is based on my personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any treatment.