A chiropractor is good for fixing more than just your backaches, stiff necks, slipped discs and other spinal injuries. Even though spinal manipulation is the most important in a chiropractor's toolbox, effects are far-reaching because the spine connects most of the body's systems to the brain and vice versa. Based on this notion, this article discusses three conditions you may not know that you can improve by visiting a chiropractor. Read on to learn more.

1. Tension headaches and migraines

Chronic headaches have become more popular among the working class. This is because of accumulated muscle tension and joint irritation that comes from spending long hours in the same posture at work. These headaches may be dull or can cause devastating pain and nausea.

According to research spinal manipulation can improve or even relieve tension headaches and migraines. This results in fewer attacks, especially for migraines related to muscular neck tension. Through spinal manipulation, the chiropractor can reduce tension/stress in your system. Combined with exercise, diet, and other lifestyle improvements and advice on posture and ergonomics, chronic headache patients may gain long-term relief through chiropractic intervention.

2. Low immunity

Your immune responses happen because of unique interactions between the nervous, endocrine (hormonal) and immune systems. These systems facilitate communication throughout the body to enable healing/reduction of symptoms when you're unwell.

If any of these systems is suppressed or functioning sub-optimally, you'll have weakened immune responses, and hence take longer to respond. For instance, spinal misalignment, called subluxation, can cause your nervous pathways to be irritated or compressed, which in turn affects communication throughout the body. Also, when you're stressed, your endocrine system stimulates the production of cortisol – the 'stress' hormone – which directly inhibits immune responses. Cortisol suppresses the functions of the sympathetic nervous system, and this reduces your immune reactions.

Spinal manipulation by a chiropractor can eliminate spinal misalignment, and hence make your nervous system responses better. Chiropractic intervention has been shown to improve the immune competence by 200 percent for healthy people, as well as improve the immunity of people with chronic illness like HIV and cancer.

3. Flexibility

If your body just doesn't move or flex the way it used to when you were younger, consider chiropractic care before giving up altogether. Age and health decline can reduce motion range over time, and things like pain may cause us not to push our bodies into such activities so that we lose the ability altogether.

A chiropractic adjustment can help to improve mobility, motion, balance, coordination, and flexibility by realigning your spine and bones to reduce or eliminate pain. Apart from in-office sessions, a chiropractor will also recommend specific movements/exercises that will improve flexibility and strength over time, as well as lifestyle adjustments to prevent recurrence once the problem is sorted.