Are everyday aches and pains slowing you down? If so, you may benefit from seeing a chiropractor.
What is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. The body is controlled by the nervous system, and it’s well-documented that spinal joint dysfunction can irritate or affect the nervous system negatively.
“Chiropractic care is the science of locating these areas of spinal dysfunction and the art of correcting them,” explains Charles A. McDonald, DC, a chiropractor at HonorHealth Orthopedics - Shea, which is part of our in-depth orthopedics program.
According to Dr. McDonald, there are some common misconceptions about chiropractic care. People wonder if it’s safe, if the popping sound they may hear in the joints is bad for them or if once they begin treatment they’ll have to continue indefinitely.
His answer? “It is incredibly safe—the popping sound is a normal release of gas in the joint, there is nothing addictive except feeling good and, since we only treat immobile joints, you can’t get too loose,” he explains.
Treatment for a wide range of issues
Many people associate chiropractic treatment with problems with the neck and back. In fact, the majority of Dr. McDonald’s patients come to him for help with these issues, and he’s able to help them manage their pain. However, patients with shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, foot and ankle problems also respond well to chiropractic care.
“I utilize chiropractic care for both the spine and the extremity joints,” he says.
He provides family care and treatment for people who have experienced sports, work and auto accident-related injuries. He also has as expertise in helping patients manage the side effects of cancer treatments.
Dr. McDonald treats patients with manual adjustment techniques, acupuncture and Class IV laser therapy, which he says yields impressive results for his patients.
“I also prescribe stretching and strengthening exercises to patients so they can increase their flexibility and muscle health,” he notes.
In addition, Dr. McDonald uses a specialized instrument that can help him make gentle manual adjustments on people who may be more sensitive.
“This instrument is especially great for elderly patients,” he says. “This is important since a large part of my practice is made up of older individuals."
In terms of preventative care, Dr. McDonald counsels his patients on posture management, including best practices for reading, computer use and sleeping positions.
Care that complements traditional medicine
Chiropractic treatment is complementary to other medical care, including surgical treatments. It can help provide relief for patients who are struggling with issues before or after an operation to repair joint issues.
“Chiropractic care helps the body self-heal and self-regulate, so it can enhance the effectiveness of other treatments,” Dr. McDonald explains.
He’s happy to be able to help patients with issues in their neck, back and other parts of their bodies so they can get back to doing what they love without pain.
Dr. Charles McDonald is a graduate of the National University of Health Sciences and the first ever chiropractor for HonorHealth. He has been in practice since 1981 and has extensive experience treating patients with everyday aches and pains, injuries, oncology patients, elderly, post-surgical joint replacements, and peripheral neuropathy.
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