Treating the symptom vs treating the underlying problem

Symptoms are the last thing to show up and the first thing to disappear

For most patients, this statement is true. The symptoms are why we go to the doctor. We seek some sort of help when the symptoms get bad enough we cannot stand it any longer. The symptoms that cause us to seek the help of a chiropractor may be a nagging ache, a sharp pain, a burning sensation or numbness, among many other things.

We tend to think the symptom is the problem

We think if we make the symptom go away, the underlying problem will go away. Think about this, when you have a headache, do you think, “I need to take some of my favorite pain reliever” or do you think, “I wonder why I have a headache. Is it my sinuses, is it my neck, is it stress related?” As you can see, it is important for us to try to find the underlying cause of the symptom and not just treat the symptom hoping the problem will resolve itself. Education is very important.

For Chiropractors, this symptom-treating mindset is difficult to overcome when talking to the patient. Patients need to be willing to look at a different way to treat their symptoms. Seeking the help of a chiropractor is one way. Being open minded about treatments and not always thinking taking a pill is the answer.

Readjusting the neck can get rid of that nagging headache that keeps coming back day after day. Realigning the lower spine can get rid of that pain in your right hip that has been there for months. Any sudden jolt or collision with a relatively immovable object can have an effect on the joints of the body. Symptoms may not occur until much later though so you have to be aware of this.

For many chiropractors, the practice of treating the symptoms and not the problem is hard to overcome, but with the help of blogs like this and other chiropractic promoting organizations, we will overcome it and help others live a healthier, less painful life.

Balkman Chiropractic Clinic. http://www.balkmanclinic.com