The body is a miraculous machine but malfunctions do occur, mostly through unhealthy habits. When the body wants to make it clear that there is a problem it sends the signal through pain, numbness and other manifestations. Pain, however, is not always experienced at the same place where the problem exist. Headaches, for example, may originate from many different sources. This make diagnosis very difficult. However, when seeing a spine doctor Houston residents often report immediate and almost miraculous results.

The correct name for practitioners that focus on the backbone is chiropractors. Chiropractors firmly believe that a backbone that is not perfectly aligned is the cause of many different ailments and pain. They believe that if they can get the spine back into alignment the pain will disappear. They are not necessarily medical doctors and chiropractic treatment is seen as an alternative to mainstream medicine.

It is not only back pain sufferers that benefit from chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors routinely treat patients complaining of headaches, neck pain, stiff joints and muscle injuries. They are especially popular with sportsmen that sustain injuries such as damaged tendons and torn muscles. Chiropractors do not view traditional medicine in a negative light and often work with medical doctors in order to make sure the patient receives the most appropriate treatment. A large number of chiropractors are also qualified doctors themselves.

Chiropractic treatment is based upon the belief that backbone that is not aligned places the nervous system under terrific pressure. This, in turn, causes the immune system to falter and natural healing processes therefore do not take place. If the backbone van be aligned, with every vertebra in its proper place, the nervous system will recover and the immune system will go to action, helping the patient to heal naturally.

Chiropractors have more than a hundred different treatment options, all aiming at aligning the backbone. In severe cases it is necessary to physically manipulate each vertebra into its proper place. In many other cases all it takes is to do a professional massage or to use cold and hot packs on the backbone. At worst, the treatment may cause a short period of mild discomfort.

Studies, and there have been many of them, have failed to find any form of danger in chiropractic treatment. In fact, most studies have recorded astonishing results. Patients never develop complications such as dangerous infections because the treatment is never invasive, like surgery, for example. In addition, chiropractors never use drugs and the patients are therefore not subject to potentially harmful side effects. The cost of treatment is normally covered by medical insurance policies.

Because practitioners believe that many diseases and pain conditions are cause by an unaligned backbone, they go to some lengths to teach their patients how to prevent misalignment. This can be achieved by regularly doing exercises such as walking and swimming, by maintaining a good posture, by using a quality mattress and by stretching frequently. In some cases it may even be necessary to make some dietary changes.

It comes as no surprise to learn that many patients prefer to consult a chiropractor first when they are in pain or when they feel unwell. Chiropractors enjoy a tremendously high rate of patient approval and satisfaction. It is no wonder that the popularity of chiropractic treatment has rocketed.