We’ve seen it one too many times. Someone comes into our office still suffering pain or discomfort, even after getting surgery for their ailment. “I’ve tried everything but this,” they say.
“So here I am.”

By the time they seek out a chiropractor, they’re already physically, emotionally and financially burdened. And even if we’re able to get positive results using chiropractic methods with the patient, it’s a scenario we don’t enjoy seeing.

The problem here is not that they chose to get surgery–we refer patients to surgical care when deemed appropriate. The problem is when they chose to get surgery–before exploring much less invasive (and expensive) forms of treatment.

It illustrates a paradigm we try to help everyone adopt: 

When seeking relief for spinal or joint pain, start with the least invasive forms of treatment and move towards more invasive forms if need be.

Define ‘invasive’

In this context, we define a treatment’s ‘invasiveness’ as the extent to which it interrupts the body’s natural state of functioning using an external means.

It’s worth noting that in one sense, any form of treatment is invasive. Any form of treatment seeks to disrupt the body’s current state (which is a painful one) and transform it into a more pleasant and healthy condition.

But some forms of treatment are certainly more invasive than others.

A spectrum of treatments

Picture a spectrum of the various treatments available, ranging from least invasive to most invasive.

At the far right end of the spectrum, you would find the most invasive forms of treatment such as medication and surgery. Because these are the most dramatic forms of interruption to your body’s natural state.

At the far left end of the spectrum, you would find preventative treatments like diet, exercise and nutritional supplements. These would be considered entirely non-invasive.

All other forms of treatment would fall somewhere in between these two. 

Where would chiropractic care fall?

Chiropractic care would fall much closer to the left end of the spectrum than the right. That’s why we recommend it as an early form of treatment rather than a last resort.

Chiropractors don’t employ surgical equipment or drugs to effect change in your body. They simply perform adjustments and manipulations to reposition your joints into a healthier, more pain-free state.

No incisions, no medications.

So the next time you or a friend start feeling pain and are wondering how to go about addressing it, remember to start with the least invasive treatments first. And if seeing a chiropractor is your next move, our team at Petett Chiropractic will get you taken care of.