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Chiropractor Services in Indonesia

Recent years have seen the opening of a number of chiropractic clinics in Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Yogyakarta, Makassar, Bali, and other major cities in Indonesia. Their advent has been welcomed by many expatriates who are used to relying on chiropractic services in their home country for wellness, health, and mobility.

Most people think of consulting a chiropractor when they’ve hurt their back, but once exposed to the healing powers of regular alignment, find a regular visit to the chiropractor as essential to their health as regularly scheduled check-ups with other health professionals.

What are Chiropractic Services?

A Chiropractor is a trained professional who has a general education in human physiology and biology, but their main focus is the alignment of the spinal column. Chiropractors know that the vertebrae of the spine and neck are routinely pulled out of alignment by everyday stress factors. This misalignment (called subluxations) can be the cause of back pain, headaches and problems in the legs. This leads to disorders in general health via the nervous system. When the spinal column is out of alignment the nervous system can’t function correctly and this in turn leads to many different conditions of diminished health.

It may be advised that the patient seek the opinion of a general practitioner first prior to visiting a Chiropractor. This is to assure that the ailment is in fact caused by a spinal or joint alignment problem.

Like other health practitioners, chiropractors follow a standard routine to get information needed to diagnose and treat patients. They analyze the patient's health history; conduct physical, neurological, and orthopedic examinations; and may order laboratory tests. X-rays and other diagnostic images are important tools because of the chiropractor's emphasis on the spine and its proper position and function. Chiropractors also analyze the patient's posture and spine using specialized techniques. For patients whose health problems can be traced to the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors manually adjust the spinal column.¹

In addition to general chiropractic practice, some chiropractors specialize in sports injuries, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, nutrition, internal disorders, or diagnostic imaging.

What to expect at the Chiropractor’s Office

There are over 20 different adjustment techniques that a Chiropractor might use. He/She might choose to use just one or in some cases a combination of techniques may be recommended. Typically at the first visit to the Chiropractor, after reviewing the patient’s file sent by the general practitioner, the doctor will conduct a general examination to determine the problem. This examination is conducted not only with the felling of the hands but may also require additional x-rays to determine the preferred treatment method.

The hallmark of chiropractic treatment is spinal manipulation, also referred to Chiropractic adjustment. The purpose of a Distraction adjustment is to restore joint position and mobility of the spine or affected joints.  This Technique is done through applying controlled force to a restricted joint. Often joints will generate a satisfying 'pop' as gases in the cartilage are released. Sometimes the spine is 'popped' by applying pressure between successive vertebra. Other times chiropractors may use a quick twisting motion to put the neck vertebrae back into alignment. Generally the procedure is painless. This result of treatment is the relief of pressure on nerves that are pinched between bones which reduces the feeling of pain and reduces tissue tightness. This also allows the effected tissue to heal.

Another widely used technique is the Activator. This hand held, spring loaded instrument is used on patients that do not want to use the Distraction method. This method detects and corrects dysfunction by delivering a light and measured force to correct misalignment. It is used to gently and painlessly move the vertebrae. Typically this method is used on the neck area.

In the Sacro-Occipital Technique triangular blocks are placed under the pelvic bones while the patient is laying face down on the table. This helps the body to realign itself and typically relieves neck pain. Patients with lower back problems may be treated with Cox Flexion Distraction. This is a gentle stretching and elongating of the back assisted by the use of an expanding table. The body is elongated and then released in short gentle pulls to try and alleviate any pinched nerves. This method is often prescribed to Scoliosis patients or people with severe arthritis.

Joints in the arms and legs an also be adjusted. These kinds of realignments are typically prescribed to correct posture or gait issues. A combination of techniques can be used. Corrective footwear might also be prescribed in severe gait issues.

Chiropractors see that patients benefit from the long-term effects of spinal manipulations, and may recommend multiple sessions to correct problems.  In instances where problems are chronic, the chiropractor may recommend regular visits at ever lengthening intervals to ensure that the patient doesn’t become incapacitated again by their back/spinal injury in the future.

On the spectrum of alternative medical treatments, the chiropractic profession falls very close to the mainstream end. Chiropractors are generally covered by health insurance, if the treatment is prescribed by a physician. Chiropractic treatment is a recognized holistic “hands on” approach to realign the spine so that the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery, can take place.

Part of a Holistic Approach to Good Health

Many other factors such as exercise, diet work and family history have a huge effect on a person’s health. In a holistic approach to wellness, most chiropractors recommend lifestyle changes in addition to specific exercises to help return the patient to full health and wellness.

¹ Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chiropractors. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Chiropractors.htm

If you have medical-related questions about living in Indonesia to ask of medical professionals, see Ask the Experts.

We trust this information will assist you in making correct choices regarding your health and welfare. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for personalized advice from your medical adviser.