Chiropractic adjustment beneficial in back health
Back care is essential to the overall health and brings out the maximum potential of your body.
“It’s like getting your oil changed,” Dr. Steven Garvert, chiropractic physician at Mount Logan Chiropractic, said.
Laura Garvet, Garvet’s wife and receptionist, said regular visits to a chiropractor can prevent many problems and can add life to the body. Many people ignore the tense muscles, stiffness, headaches and irritated or pinched nerves associated with back problems. These can lead to many other ailments within the body if not taken care of.
Chiropractors deal with the body’s nervous system through the spine and its vertebrae. It is the most important of our body’s systems. The muscular system, the skeletal system, even the respiratory system is affected by the nerves in our body. Chiropractic care is like football, Dr. Garvert said.
“There are 11 systems in our body, just like there are 11 players on a team. Within our body, the nervous system is the quarterback. If you don’t have a very good quarterback then the rest of the team, or systems, aren’t functioning at their best either,” Dr. Garvert said.
Within the Logan area there are several chiropractors. Prices vary depending on insurance and other variables. For a quick drop-in – payment is made on the same day – most charge $30 to $40. Some offices offer x-rays to find and help alleviate everyday wearing down. Some of these include disc injury, auto injuries, headaches, dizziness and even help carpal tunnel syndrome.
Student insurance here at USU often covers visits to the chiropractor and even can help with the cost of massages, Garvert said.
Erin Egbert, licensed massage therapist at Mount Logan Chiropractic, said a massage helps to loosen up the muscles, allowing for an easier adjustment. A massage is often administered before the chiropractic procedure. She said she helps to find where some problems might be in the back and muscles, which could help Dr. Garvert in his adjusting of the spine. They offer a free massage and consultation for new patients. Many other offices also offer free beginning exams.
Chiropractors must go through the same schooling as any other doctor in a medical profession. They must complete four years as a pre-med to earn a bachelor’s degree then another four years in graduate school and are also trained in physical therapy. Most chiropractic physicians enjoy explaining and informing their patients about what it is they do, Dr. Garvert said.
Laura said her husband “likes to educate the patient and provide a type of preventative care.”
There are many good reasons to see a chiropractor. Many old injuries hold us back physically, constant illness can be caused by poor back alignment and life’s stresses can be causing tense muscles that pull on the spine, Dr. Garvert said.
He said, if the muscles in the back are achy, they feel stiff, and in advanced situations there is shooting pains and have frequent headaches, then a visit has been put off too long.
Everyday wear and tear happens, but it doesn’t need to be a problem. Occasional visits to a chiropractic physician can help prevent many everyday aches and pains that we think are normal, Dr. Garvert said.