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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

I never thought of myself as an addict, but I did end up addicted to anti-anxiety medication after developing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. At some point, the medicine stopped being a way to deal with the nervousness and panic attacks, and became something my body craved. I knew that I needed help fast. Fortunately, a local drug rehab program includes support for people like me. They helped me wean off the medication, use methods like massage therapy to help my nerves heal, and even provided ongoing counseling for our family. I don't know how I would have made it without their help. If you suspect that your medication has crossed the line from being helpful to hurtful, take heart. Let me tell you about my journey out of addiction and back to wholeness.

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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

3 Things To Expect When Meeting With A Chiropractor For The First Time

by Valerie Stevens

If you have never been to a chiropractor you might be wondering what to expect with your first visit. Seeing a chiropractor is a great way to improve your overall health, relieve pain and find solutions to problems without the use of medication. Here are some things you should expect with your first visit.  

1. The Initial Spine Assessment

Since a chiropractor specializes in the spine and keeping the body in alignment they will first want to do an assessment of your spine and your balance. Usually, this entails a physical exam, x-rays and perhaps even blood work. The x-rays will help to show if there are any problems or abnormalities in parts of the body. What the chiropractor will be looking for is any indication that your joints, bones or muscles and not functioning properly. For example, some people carry the majority of their weight on one side of their body, so their left side tends to be tenser than the right side. This can cause back problems, headaches, irritability and much more.

The physical assessment will probably include you sitting on the table with the chiropractor feeling your spine, your upper hipbones, and your shoulders. They might ask you to walk around, bend or move in certain ways. This will help them see what kind of motion and flexibility you have as well as any other problems. 

2. The Adjustment

After your initial assessment, you will get an adjustment or an alignment. This is where the chiropractor will physically pop your joints and spine back into place. In most cases you will lay on the table in different positions and the chiropractor will use their hands to pop your joints. For this reason, it is important that you wear comfortable clothes. This will allow you to have a full range of motion and the flexibility required to get into the different positions. Although the positions will not be difficult, they may require that you can move your legs and arms easily.

3. Use Of Equipment

Lastly, you might be asked to use some equipment to help stretch out the muscles, strengthen certain areas, or stimulate problem spots. Usually includes some sort of bounce ball, massage or vibrating machine, or bands for strength training. The equipment that will be used will completely depend on your assessment.

By understanding what to expect from a chiropractic visit you can be totally prepared. Contact a local professional, such as SpineCare Chiropractic Daniel S. Wright, D.C., for further assistance.   

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