It’s been a busy but brilliant week, and this one was special. We celebrated chiropractic’s 130th birthday on Thursday!
For those of you who don’t know the history, Chiropractic was founded by D.D. Palmer back in 1895, when he performed the very first chiropractic adjustment on a janitor called Harvey Lillard in Davenport, Iowa, USA. And here we are, 130 years later, still helping people move better, feel better, and stay healthier through chiropractic care.
The rest of the week was full of chocolate, kids’ birthday parties, and kids’ sport so we definitely got our steps in just ferrying them around. As many of you have said, this time of year can feel like you’ve become a full-time family taxi driver!
This week, I wanted to talk about the type of things chiropractors actually help with. Because if you ask most people, they’ll say “back pain” and yes, that’s a big part of what we do. But chiropractic is about much more than just pain relief or “cracking bones.”
Chiropractic care is focused on the nervous system. The goal is to get your spine moving well and your vertebrae in the best possible position, so there’s less pressure on the nerves. This allows your brain to communicate clearly with the rest of your body helping everything work more smoothly, not just your back.
Taking care of your spine is crucial for overall well-being. But how do you know when it’s time to see a chiropractor? Here are the key signs, with insights from the most recent research.
1. Persistent Back or Neck Pain
If your pain lingers despite home care, it may be time to seek professional help. A 2024 clinical trial published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies found that older adults with chronic back pain improved significantly with spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) plus home exercise, regardless of their spinal X-ray findings (ChiroMT, 2024).
2. Frequent Headaches or Migraines
Headaches often stem from tension in the neck or spine. Research shows that chiropractic adjustments can reduce headache frequency by improving spinal alignment and reducing nerve irritation (Oakbrook Medical Group, 2024; Kasa Chiropractic, 2023).
3. Reduced Range of Motion
Difficulty bending, twisting, or turning your head signals restricted spinal joints. Chiropractic adjustments restore flexibility and function, as highlighted in patient case series where range of motion improved after chiropractic care. A lot of clients tell us they don’t feel safe when driving as they cannot turn their head to reverse or look out at junctions due to reduced range of movement in the neck (The LA Chiropractor, 2023; Metrowest Spine Clinic, 2023).
4. Shooting or Radiating Pain
Sharp pain radiating down arms or legs may be due to nerve compression, often seen in sciatica. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to relieve nerve pressure and reduce leg pain (Walk-In Chiro, 2023; Oakbrook Medical Group, 2024). sciatica is severely debilitating, don’t put up with it longer than you need, get checked out by a Chiropractor.
5. Poor Posture or Spinal Misalignment, (New York Post, 2024).
Slouching, forward head posture, or uneven hips are common in today’s screen based lifestyle. We sit for longer than ever and use smart phones and ipads which are no good for our positioning. Chiropractors can correct misalignments and prescribe posture-strengthening exercises. In fact, recent media reports note that poor posture is creating spine problems even in younger adults aged 18-22.
6. Preventive Care & Reducing Medication Reliance
Chiropractic isn’t only reactive it’s proactive. A 2024 systematic review found that patients with access to chiropractic care were less likely to begin or escalate opioid use for spinal pain (Systematic Reviews Journal, 2024). This positions chiropractic as part of a safer, drug free pain management strategy.
7. Professional Screening Identifies Risk
Modern chiropractic goes beyond pain relief. A 2021 study in PubMed highlighted chiropractors’ expanding role in screening for musculoskeletal risk factors and collaborating with other healthcare providers to prevent long term disability (PubMed, 2021).
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Ongoing back or neck pain
- Recurring headaches
- Stiffness or loss of movement
- Radiating limb pain
- Poor posture or spinal misalignment
- Interest in preventive, drug-free care and risk flagged by professional screening
If you notice these signs, it’s a good time to see a chiropractor. Choose one who performs thorough evaluations, collaborates with your doctor if needed, and follows evidence-based approaches. At West Chiropractic Clinics, we specialize in safe, research-backed care tailored to your needs.
References
- ChiroMT (2024). Older adults with spinal pain improve with spinal manipulative therapy plus home exercise.
- Oakbrook Medical Group (2024). 5 Signs You Should See a Chiropractor.
- Kasa Chiropractic (2023). 10 Signs It’s Time to See a Chiropractor.
- The LA Chiropractor (2023). 10 Signs You Should See a Chiropractor.
- Metrowest Spine Clinic (2023). Signs You Should See a Chiropractor.
- Walk-In Chiro (2023). 8 Signs You Should See a Chiropractor Today.
- New York Post (2024). Gen Z and Millennials are turning into old hunch-backed people, chiropractor warns.
- Systematic Reviews Journal (2024). Access to chiropractic care and opioid use reduction in spine pain.
- PubMed (2021). Preventive services and musculoskeletal screening by chiropractors in primary care.
If you are wanting to chat more about the information above then why not book a call with me and we can go into more detail? Click here to book or if you want to get an assessment then Book a consultation with a Chiropractor here
If you do know someone who wants more advice, please send them our details. You can send them this assessment as well to diagnose their back pain. It is a great tool to understand where your back pain is coming from, it is free and takes 60 seconds. Click here for assessment
