Chiropractic care is a holistic, drug-free, and nonsurgical approach to helping the body heal through spinal manipulation. A misaligned spine can cause chronic and acute back and neck pain and headaches. It can also contribute to other health concerns, such as arthritis, stress, allergies, digestive issues, and anxiety.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cody Doyle has developed his own manual therapy techniques. When needed to deliver optimal treatment, he also uses a variety of tools and methods. During your treatment, Dr. Doyle will manipulate your spine into proper alignment. This helps improve mobility and function, reduce pain, and improve overall wellness.
What is chiropractic care?
Treatment with chiropractic care offers a natural, holistic, effective alternative to traditional medical healthcare.
Medical doctors tend to treat patients with invasive surgery or prescribe narcotics to mask the pain. A doctor of chiropractic, however, treats the root cause of your pain. Treatment involves chiropractic manipulations, or adjustments, to return the musculoskeletal system to proper alignment.
The word “chiropractic” is actually translated as “done by hand.” With this approach, trained chiropractors search for the root issue causing your discomfort. We then perform manual or mechanical treatments on the spinal vertebrae and joints. While drugs and surgery are not part of chiropractic care, natural supplements and herbs can be helpful.
Dating as far back as 2700 BC, chiropractic care has been identified throughout history as a means for treating the body. However, Daniel David Palmer made it an official health care profession in 1895. Since then, it has gained recognition as a successful means for healing and reducing or getting rid of pain.
At Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we use a variety of treatment methods. These include manipulative therapies, physical therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional therapy to help your body heal and recover.
Why Chiropractic Care Is Important
The spine is made up of 24 different movable vertebrae. These joints are responsible for basic range of motions, such as walking, bending, and moving your neck.
Your spine protects your spinal cord, which is a very important part of your central nervous system. It is responsible for the function and coordination of every muscle and organ within your body. For instance, the nerves within your spine carry messages from your brain to your body, telling it how to function. The same nerves also send messages from your body to your brain.
Misaligned vertebrae, also known as vertebral subluxations, inhibit clear communication within your central nervous system. When your spine is misaligned, it can impair basic everyday tasks and send pain signals to your brain.
Misalignment may also contribute to allergies, weight gain, fatigue, stress, and anxiety. Routine chiropractic care allows the body to naturally heal itself and restore optimum health.
Causes of Misalignment
If you are looking for a safe, effective way to improve your health and reduce pain, chiropractic care can help.
Common causes of vertebral subluxations include:
- Traumatic birth
- Sports injury
- Repetitive motions (lifting, typing, poor posture)
- Car accident or fall
- Stress
- Poor diet
- Disc issues
- Arthritis
- Tight muscles
Chiropractic Treatment Methods
Below are the common spinal manipulation methods Dr. Doyle performs at Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture:
- Diversified Method:
This is the oldest yet most commonly used method. Dr. Doyle will use his hands to apply pressure to gently realign your vertebrae.
- Activator Method:
An activator is a handheld device that administers mechanical manipulation to your spine. It delivers soft impulses to the spine to gently correct misalignment.
- Thompson Method:
Combining manual thrusts with a drop table technique, this method is quite effective. It allows the thrusts to be applied at high speed with minimal force.
- Gonstead Method:
This option is similar in style to the diversified method. For this approach, Dr. Doyle uses a variety of tables, positions, and manual thrusts to provide lumbar, thoracic and cervical manipulations.
What to Expect During Treatment
During your initial consultation, Dr. Doyle will perform a detailed systematic review and physical examination. He will pay careful attention to your medical history and current health concerns, lifestyle habits, and stress levels. In addition, he will perform a series of x-rays and tests. This will help him locate vertebral subluxations and determine your range of motion and flexibility.
With all this information, Dr. Doyle will properly diagnose the root of your issue.
Once Dr. Doyle knows your diagnosis and symptoms, he will create a personalized treatment plan. The first step in your healing path is to remove anything hindering your body from naturally healing itself. In addition to chiropractic care, Dr. Doyle may recommend lifestyle changes, such as minimizing stress and learning proper posture.
Your treatment may involve a nutritional plan with herbal supplements to help assist the body with healing. It may also include a detox program to purge your body of toxins that contribute to an unhealthy spine.
During your chiropractic adjustment, Dr. Doyle will have you lie face down or face up on an adjustment table. He will apply quick, yet gentle thrusts over the misaligned vertebra.
When this occurs, you may hear a popping or cracking sound. Although the sound may be shocking initially, it is nothing to be alarmed by. This sound is not your bones cracking.
Instead, the sound is associated with the release of gas from the joints. It indicates the achievement of proper alignment in the joint. Many patients report immediate relief of pain when the joints are properly aligned.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Side effects of a misaligned spine can often go unnoticed for years at a time. Eventually, however, it will take a toll on all parts of your body. Routine visits with a chiropractor help you maintain good long-term health and can prevent serious conditions from developing. The extent and frequency of your treatment will depend on the complexity and severity of your health issues and overall goals.
Routine chiropractic care will:
- Improve your range of motion and coordination
- Correct nerve communication within your body
- Enhance your posture, joint function, and physical performance
- Reduce neck and back pain
- Diminish pain in the upper extremities (arms, wrists, shoulders, elbows)
- Minimize pain in the lower extremities (legs, knees, feet, and ankles)
- Diminish stress and anxiety
- Reduce allergy symptoms
- Get rid of headaches
- Provide relief from arthritis
- Increase your body’s ability to heal
- Improve your overall quality of life
Improved Health with Chiropractic Care
Interested in learning more about chiropractic care and how it can benefit you? Call Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture today at (817) 767-5430. One of our friendly team members would love to answer your questions and schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Doyle.
We care for patients in the North Fort Worth areas, including Roanoke, Trophy Club, Grapevine, Southlake, Argyle, Keller, NRH, and Justin.
Many health insurance policies do cover chiropractic care, although some may require a referral from your primary care physician.