Headaches, Body Pains, Injuries: When To See A Chiropractor
Is chiropractic safe? When should I go? Who do I go to in Metro Manila?
Chiropractic care has been a subject of debate when it comes to back pains, headaches, and injury treatment. But like many forms of alternative medicine, it has gained significant traction and support as people look towards drug-free and more holistic ways to tackle their health problems.
So before you make a conclusion on whether going to a chiropractor is good or bad, let’s lay down and understand the facts first and foremost.
What is chiropractic care and what does it do?
Harvard Health defines chiropractic as a system of therapy that manipulates the body's alignment to relieve pain and improve function and to help the body heal itself. But while spinal manipulation is a one of the mainstays of chiropractic practice, it also encompasses other forms of therapy such as physical therapy and ergonomic training.
In fact, it has been a long myth that all doctors will advise you generally to stay away from chiropractic. Even the American College of Physicians recommends chiropractic care as one of the alternatives to pain-relieving drugs when dealing with low back pain, alongside heat compress, massage, and acupuncture. Surgery is the not end-all be-all of all treatments. A good doctor will try to exhaust different types of therapy such as chiropractic care before exploring surgery as a last resort.
When should you consider chiropractic?
Typically, chiropractic care may help if you are experiencing aching joints or muscle pain that affect your mobility and standard of living. These include back and neck pain, headaches, arthritis, and other chronic pains and restrictions in your movement.
If you like working out or playing rough sports, your body may be subject to stress and pressure that may cause imbalance and alignment issues. Even athletes who suffer from overuse injuries and strains also tend to visit chiropractors to keep their bodies in top performance.
If your job requires you to be in front of the computer a lot, hunched on your keyboard and seated all day, you may develop poor posture and alignment that puts unwanted pressure on the upper back, neck, and shoulders. Seeking spinal adjustments from a chiropractor will help.
If you’re dealing with a physical abnormality or body injuries such as fractures, chiropractic care may not be for you. Consult your doctor first.
Is it safe and painless?
One of the common misconceptions about chiropractic care is that spinal manipulation is bad. Chiropractic care has been accepted globally and by medical professionals as a safe and low-risk natural procedure for pain relief and improved mobility. But like all forms of medicine and treatment, nothing is a 100% cure for everybody.
The European Spine Journal reports that a rare complication of spinal manipulations called cauda equina syndrome may involve nerve damage in the lower spinal cord, but this is a very rare case in millions of people who seek chiropractic care all over the world.
Those who receive chiropractic care should not feel any intense pain. The pops and cracks during adjustment may be uncomfortable or sudden, but not very common. Some also feel minor soreness after a session.
What should you keep in mind when looking for a chiropractor?
Chiropractors are not medical doctors, but they are considered doctors of chiropractic since in the US, they have to pass a board exam and undergo 4 years of chiropractic training, on top of an undergraduate degree. They are highly qualified to assess, diagnose, treat, and even refer patients to other doctors like surgeons and orthopedists if needed. This is why when looking for a chiropractor, it’s good to trust one who has a network of doctors and therapists that work with him or her to give you the best and most holistic kind of treatment that you need.
Just like doctors or dentists, not all chiropractors are great. Some are bad, some are not a good fit for you—so one bad chiropractor does not automatically make chiropractic care voodoo science.
If you know people who go to a chiropractor, get referrals. It’s also prudent to get recommendations from your regular physician, if you have one.
Chiropractors to visit in Metro Manila
United Nations Chiropractic Center
The United Nations Chiropractic Center is one of the very first chiropractic clinics in the Philippines, dating back to 1990. Started by US-trained doctors, Dr. Ronald Mitchell and Mr. Willie Britt, the center only employs doctors who graduated from accredited chiropractic colleges recognized by the Chiropractic Council on Education and is certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Some of their most recent clients include Phillippine Bowling team members and actress Riva Quenery.
The United Nations Chiropractic Center have multiple locations around Metro Manila and Pampanga. For inquiries and appointments, you can call them via mobile at 0906-402-7827 or send a message via Facebook Messenger.
Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinics
Since 2007, Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinics has treated over 20,000 patients in the country. Their chiropractors are all trained in USA-based university-level educational standards and must undergo 5-8 years of study in a chiropractic professional school.
When it comes to convenience, Mabuhay Clinics has it covered since their clinics are located inside SM and Ayala malls. Visit their website chiropractic.com.ph to check a clinic nearest you, or call 888-CHIRO (24476).
Doc Rob's Chiropractic
Dr. Robert Walcher is one of the most popular chiropractors in the Philippines, and has been practicing chiropractic in the US since 2000. He started Doc Rob's Chiropractic in the country after moving here in 2013, and has since opened locations across the metro.
Dr. Rob is the former team chiropractor of the Blackwater Elite PBA team and works with Dr. Jill Chapman, who graduated from Palmer Chiropractic West in San Jose, California.
Check out their Facebook page for astounding and consistent reviews from their previous clients, and call the following numbers for initial assessment before you start your chiropractic journeys:
- Quezon City: 0905 444 8172
- Makati: 0995 911 0881
- Alabang: 0927 009 5558
- Cavite: 0967 315 9110
National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association
Unlike the usual chiropractic, at National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association, their corrective procedure requires no twisting, popping, or cracking. They take pride in their comfortable and gentle approach they call the Upper Cervical Spinal Correction technique.
Their two main specialists are Gabriel P. Flores, Toggle Recoil Specialist; and Miguel P. Flores, NUCCA Specialist, and their clinic is located at Saville Bldg. 8728 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.
For inquiries
and appointments, call them via phone at 855-36218 or via landline at 0917-571-0212,
or visit their Facebook page here.
Well-Balanced Chiropractic Wellness Center
Another popular chiropractor in the country is Dr. Kim Khauv, a former United States Navy chiropractor who is now offering world class chiropractic care in BGC, Metro Manila. If you’re a first-time chiro patient, his clinic offers a special New Patient promo where you only pay 4,000 pesos for 10,500-pesos worth of services.
Well-Balanced Chiropractic Wellness Center is located at SOHO Avida Cityflex Towers (7th Ave corner Lane T) Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. For inquiries and appointments, contact 0995-499-8100 or 0961-058-7068, or visit their Facebook page here.