It’s not unusual to feel pain in your body. What is important to monitor is the severity of the pain because that ultimately determines the actions you should take to relieve the discomfort.

If the pain is minor, simply popping a pill usually takes care of it in just a few minutes. On the other hand, the pain may be so intense that it calls for a visit to a specialist.

How do you know when it’s time to ditch the home remedies or over-the-counter meds and start seriously considering chiropractic care? If you’re unsure, we list a few tell-tale signs that suggest it’s time to place your pain in the hands of professionals.

Chronic Migraines

While occasional headaches aren’t uncommon because of stress or heat, sometimes migraines are caused by life-threatening illnesses.

Headaches are classified as primary or secondary depending on the cause. Primary headaches are usually triggered by lifestyle factors such as skipping meals, dehydration, poor sleep or substance abuse. Secondary headaches are a result of underlying medical conditions such as a brain tumor or concussion.

While the following list isn’t exhaustive, it’s wise to visit a chiropractor if your headache:

• Is very severe
• Comes abruptly and is very intense
• Causes you to experience confusion, vision impairments or speech difficulties
• Is associated with a fever or nausea
• Occurs frequently

Chronic Muscle and Joints Pain

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are more likely to experience muscle and joint pain. This is because regular physical activity tears and builds down muscle which is associated with some pain. In most cases, the pain goes away after a few days. That’s what exercise is all about. If the aches and pain don’t go away it’s time to visit a chiropractor.

If your muscle and joint pain are caused by arthritis or other conditions, you may also benefit from chiropractic care. 

Persistent Neck Pain

Neck pain is caused by different things such as incorrect sitting or sleeping positions. If the pain isn’t severe, holding an icepack on your neck can speed up the healing process. 

Alternatively, using firmer pillows as opposed to soft ones can help with neck pain. But if the pain is persistent, then it’s time to head to your nearest chiropractor. This is especially necessary if the pain is accompanied by:

• Difficulty turning your head
• Intense stiffness
• If it makes you uncomfortable and makes it difficult to get through the day

Back Pain

It’s fair to say that we all experience some form of back pain at some point in our lives. Reasons can be anything from poor sitting posture or sleeping positions to engaging in extreme exercises. 

Granted, lower back pain can be quite uncomfortable but in some cases, it can go away on its own. What if it doesn’t? Consider visiting a chiropractor if the pain is:

• Persistent for at least six weeks
• Not going away at all
• Getting worse by the day 

Final Words

Any time you feel the pain associated with the factors listed in this article, don’t hesitate to visit a chiropractor. But bear in mind that these are simply guidelines.

At the end of the day, this is entirely up to you. If you feel that the pain you’re currently experiencing warrants immediate medical attention, then, by all means, visit a chiropractor right away.