Let's face it, the majority of patients that come to the clinic need relief of some sort of pain. Interestingly enough, it doesn't always involve the low back. I have treated discomfort in all areas including; the neck, shoulders, upper back, knees, feet and even the jaw, to name a few.

A common question I get is, "Why am I having this pain doc?". Well, the answer is sometimes complex but a common theme I see in practice is that either patients have over-exerted themselves, suffered a trauma or simply, their bodies aren't as strong as they need to be.

As a result, seemingly simple tasks can cause people severe pain. This pain is often accompanied by inflammation and muscle spasms. (That's why along with pain, patients also complain of stiffness or difficulty moving). This inflammation and spasms can not only prevent joints from moving freely, but can also put pressure on the joints and associated nerves. Ever heard of a "pinched nerve"? Most people have. Ask anybody who's ever experienced a shooting discomfort down their arms or legs and you'll begin to appreciate the importance the nervous system plays to our overall health.

This naturally leads to the question," Ok doc, now how are you going to make me feel better?" 

Once we have identified the area that needs attention, we go about relieving the muscle spasms, regaining the lost mobility and taking any pressure off the associated nerves. In addition, I encourage all my patients to stretch and exercise. For most patients, the sooner they get moving, the better. This idea is so well understood that patients who seek medical care will often report receiving a prescription for pain relievers and/or muscle relaxers.

Chiropractic's goal is to help relieve pain, restore function and improve health naturally, without the use of pharmaceutical drugs.

This is just a very brief overview of the role of Chiropractic. Please see the "About Chiropractic" page for more answers to other common questions.

If you have any questions not covered here, please feel free to email me at drchan@drchanchiro.com

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