Alternative medicines have been around for thousands of years and are still widely used today to treat pain and other medical problems. Two of the most mainstream forms of alternative medicine are chiropractic care and acupressure. Each are manual treatment but are also very different from each other.
Information About Chiropractor
1. What They Do
Chiropractors are licensed doctors that practice a drugs free and hands on approach to health care. They use a large variety of moves and apply controlled force in order to re align parts of the body. Chiropractic is the largest alternative medical field today. The focus is on manual treatment therapy.
2. What It Is Used For
One of the biggest focus in chiropractic medicine is on the spine. Back and neck pain are the two most common things that are treated by chiropractors. They do this by properly aligning the musculoskeletal structure in order to promote natural healing by the body. Spinal pain is also commonly treated with chiropractics.
3. How It Is Done
Your chiropractor will work with you to develop a treatment plan for your unique situation. The extent of your pain and injury, what goals you have in mind, and the general state of your health are all taken into account. The center of treatment is usually on “adjustments”. This is when force, direction, and leverage are focused on specific joints to re align them. After the manipulation of your joints has been completed heat and ice are often used to further help ease irritation.
4. Benefits
When you have problems in your vertebrae or joints they often cause you a lot of pain. Restricted movement and headaches can also come along. Chiropractic care is designed to help ease or stop these pains. Chronic injuries, tension disorders, arthritis, headaches, and back and neck problems are all effectively treated with chiropractics.
5. Cost
Many insurance plans do not cover chiropractic visits, which influences a persons choice to see them greatly. However, the cost of these treatments may not be as high as you would think. An average visit will cost between 60 and 100 dollars depending on your locations.
Things To Know Acupressure
1. What It Is
Acupressure is an ancient way of healing that uses the fingers to apply pressure to key pressure points in the body in order to promote the body’s self healing capabilities. It began in Asia nearly 6,000 years ago and is still widely used all over the world. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture except for the fact that instead of using needles, the fingers are used. The goal is to clear any blockages in each point.
2. How?
During an acupressure visit you will lay down, typically on a massage table, and a acupressurist will begin applying pressure to the points that are associated with your pain or problem. The arch of the foot, the palm, the wrist, the temples, and other various parts of the body contain points that may be used. Some small instruments are also employed to provide more effective treatment.
3. Benefits
There are many benefits that can be enjoyed from the practice of acupressure. Treatment of pain, whether from arthritis, an injury, or a headache, can all be eased. Acupressure is often used after surgeries or during pregnancies to help relieve nausea. Depression and anxiety are also commonly treated with acupressure. This is not intended to be used to treat serious illness or injuries.
Differences Between Chiropractor and Acupressure
1.Level of Force
Each of these alternative medicines promote a drug free treatment of pain and other problems. They both use some form of force on localized parts of the body in order to help achieve this goal. The difference is the amount of force that is used during treatment. With chiropractors heavy force is used to realign joints themselves. In acupressure only slight pressure is applied to parts of the body.
2. Licensing
There is no governing body looking over the world of acupressure. It is something that can be self taught and also self practiced, a license is not required in order to perform acupressure. Chiropractics however require a medical degree and are very closely monitored.
3. Cost
The cost of each session with either a chiropractor or an acupressist is also somewhat different. A session at the chiropractor can run around 100 dollars for about 30 minutes of treatment. Acupressure is much less expense and can be found for as low as 25 dollars for an hour long session.