Acupuncture vs. Chiropractic Care: Which One Will Benefit You
The world of medicine is evolving every day; newer techniques and methods emerge frequently, and older methods regain popularity. With over 25 percent of American adults claiming they have 2 or more chronic conditions, it’s no wonder that people are turning to alternative medicine.
Two of the most popular components of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are acupuncture and chiropractic care. To decide which one to opt for, besides getting a consultation with your doctor, it’s important to know the basics of each. Here’s what you need to know to decide which one will benefit you.
Acupuncture
What it is
This procedure involves inserting extremely thin needles into certain points on your body—this serves to get a neurological and hormonal response that leads to healing. These needles are often also manipulated using electrical stimuli or by hand.
What it does
Acupuncture is usually employed as an effective pain management technique; this is owing to its ability to regulate the flow of vital energy in the body and increase your recovery speed. Among the many things acupuncture can be used for, the primary benefit is that it strengthens the immune system, improves respiratory health, reduces stress, restores emotional balance, and works to alleviate insomnia.
Apart from these, acupuncture is a viable treatment for chronic pains—including headaches, joint, neck, and back pain.
Chiropractic Care
What it is
There are over 70,000 chiropractors in the United States today, making this a popular treatment. It involves adjustment of the spinal cord to alleviate pain and discomforts; this spinal manipulation can also be beneficial for other parts of your body.
What it does
The hands-on approach of chiropractors leads to increased mobility of joints and addresses a host of neuromusculoskeletal problems. It helps as an efficient pain reliever and can also reduce the dependence on pain medication by changing how your pain receptors deal with it. Often, patients heal from injuries faster using chiropractic methods than other medical treatments.
Which one would help you?
Both techniques have their pros and cons, as do all things. While both of them are drug free, chiropractic is non-invasive while acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into your body. Both treatments are safe and efficient relievers of pain, given you go to an experienced professional.
It all boils down to your needs; some kinds of pain may benefit from acupuncture, but chronic and acute pains of the structure of your body and spine will definitely be relieved by chiropractic care.
Make sure you opt for the treatment that you are comfortable with, if you are not at-ease with needles, acupuncture may not be for you. A consultation with your physician is absolutely necessary before you even consider taking a step towards attempting to alleviate your chronic pains.
If you do find that chiropractic care is better suited to your needs and preferences, pay a visit to the Shelby township chiropractors—Dr. Stapleton DC and Dr. Yadon DC—at Shelby County Chiropractic; our family chiropractic center makes use of a number of diversified techniques to help you have a fulfilling experience.
