Skip to content 
In Holland, Michigan, staying active is part of daily life. Between the lakeshore, seasonal outdoor recreation, and physically or mentally demanding work, your body endures a lot.
While aches and stiffness might seem routine, some symptoms suggest a deeper issue that needs professional attention. That’s where chiropractic care steps in. It is designed not just to treat pain but to restore movement, function, and overall well-being.
Many people delay seeking care, unsure of what qualifies as a “real” reason to visit a chiropractor.
But the truth is, your body often gives clear signals long before pain becomes severe. Understanding these signs can help you feel better sooner and avoid unnecessary discomfort down the road.
Understanding Your Body’s Signals
Your body communicates to you through different signs. Typically, they come in the form of tightness, stiffness, numbness, or even fatigue.
These signals often show up well before major problems develop. Learning to recognize the early cues gives you a better chance of addressing issues before they become disruptive.
Pain isn’t always the first or only indication that something’s wrong. Limited range of motion, tension that won’t go away, or headaches that keep returning are all signs that your spine or nervous system may be under stress.
Instead of masking symptoms with temporary solutions, chiropractic care addresses the underlying cause and helps restore function.
What Are the Signs That You Should Look Out For?
1. Persistent Back Pain
If you’ve been experiencing back pain for more than a few days, especially pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter medications, it’s time to consider chiropractic care.
Whether you sit at a desk all day or do repetitive physical work, your spine can fall out of alignment. Over time, this contributes to muscle strain, joint inflammation, or disc issues. Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine, helping relieve pressure and restore movement.
In Holland, this is a common concern for people who switch between sedentary tasks and outdoor activities like gardening or water sports. You might feel fine after a hike, only to notice stiffness the next morning. If that stiffness becomes constant or painful, your body could be asking for help.
2. Frequent Headaches
Headaches often feel like a normal part of life, but they shouldn’t be. Tension that builds in the neck and shoulders, often due to posture or screen time, can lead to frequent headaches or migraines. If your headaches start at the base of the skull or if neck stiffness comes with your symptoms, it’s likely that your cervical spine is involved.
Chiropractic care for headaches doesn’t rely on medication. Instead, it focuses on relieving the tension and pressure in the upper spine and surrounding muscles, reducing the frequency and intensity of your symptoms.
3. Limited Mobility
Difficulty looking over your shoulder while driving, turning your head comfortably, or bending forward are more than just signs of aging.
They could be indicators that your joints may not be moving properly. Sometimes these changes happen gradually. As such, they are easy to overlook. But when everyday movement starts to feel restricted, it’s time for an evaluation.
Limited range of motion often stems from inflammation, muscle guarding, or subtle joint dysfunction. A chiropractor can help restore your mobility and offer strategies to keep it from happening again.
4. Sharp Pain Down the Arms or Legs
Sharp, shooting or electric-like pain that travels (radiates) from the neck into the arms or from the lower back into the legs could be due to nerve irritation or compression. It may even be accompanied by tingling or numbness. These symptoms are often due to conditions like sciatica or cervical radiculopathy.
You might notice this pain flares up during certain movements, or even while coughing or sitting. Left unaddressed, it can interfere with daily activities and worsen over time. Chiropractic adjustments help relieve the pressure on affected nerves, often providing significant relief.
If you experience numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, weakness in the arms or legs or pain that worsens with coughing or sneezing, you should see a chiropractor to be evaluated.
5. Injuries from Auto Accidents
Even minor auto accidents can cause significant spinal injuries that may not manifest symptoms immediately. Holland’s busy roads, including US-31 and I-196, unfortunately see their share of accidents, especially during harsh winter conditions.
Although you may not feel immediate pain following a car collision, these types of injuries can become painful and have a lasting impact. Whiplash, for example, may not cause immediate pain. However, it can lead to headaches, neck stiffness, and fatigue in the following days. Because the body is often in shock during an accident, understand that pain may be delayed.
Chiropractors trained in auto injury care understand how to assess spinal trauma and soft tissue damage. Early treatment often prevents long-term complications, and most insurance providers cover chiropractic evaluations for auto injuries. If you’ve been in an auto accident, our chiropractors at McAlpine Chiropractic Group in Holland, MI can provide immediate assessment and treatment.
6. Constant Muscle Tension
Some soreness after exercise is normal, but if you constantly feel tight in your shoulders, neck, or lower back, it could point to deeper issues. Chronic tension often means your muscles are overcompensating for spinal misalignment or instability.
Muscle spasms, disturbed sleep, and morning stiffness can all be signs that your nervous system is under stress. Chiropractic care addresses the spine’s role in muscular balance, helping reduce tension and promote better rest and recovery.
7. Trouble Correcting Your Posture
Slouching isn’t just a habit. In several cases, it can be a structural problem. If you try to sit up straight but quickly revert to poor posture, your body may have adapted to a position that’s no longer healthy. Forward head posture, rounded shoulders, or uneven hips aren’t just cosmetic concerns. Over time, they can lead to chronic pain, joint wear, and digestive or respiratory limitations.
Poor posture can have long-term consequences. It does not just affect your appearance – it can lead to increased wear on spinal joints, muscle imbalances, breathing difficulties, digestive issues, and chronic pain patterns.
Improving posture starts with proper spinal alignment. Chiropractic care helps retrain your posture by adjusting spinal structures and supporting more balanced movement patterns.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
At McAlpine Chiropractic Group, we make sure your first visit is comfortable, clear, and informative.
Our procedure begins with a full review of your health history and a discussion of your current symptoms. From there, we conduct a physical examination, check posture and mobility, and assess neurological function.
Digital X-rays may be taken if needed to get a better understanding of spinal alignment or structural issues. Reflexes, muscle strength, and joint movement are all tested to help identify the root of your discomfort.
After your evaluation, we’ll explain the findings and offer a treatment plan based on your needs. We’ll also walk you through expected outcomes and how many visits may be helpful. You’ll leave with an executable plan, not just a list of instructions you don’t understand.
Prevention Is Power
Many of the patients who visit us only think of chiropractic care when they’re in pain, but ongoing care offers benefits well beyond pain relief.
When your spine is functioning well, your entire body tends to perform better. Regular adjustments can help maintain posture, reduce wear on joints, and support nervous system function.
Patients who include chiropractic care as part of their long-term health approach often report better sleep, fewer injuries, and improved energy levels. For athletes, it may enhance performance; for office workers, it helps combat the effects of prolonged sitting.
Remember, it’s about maintaining comfort, mobility, and function—not just addressing pain when it appears.
Excellent Chiropractic Care in Holland, MI, by McAlpine Chiropractic Group
Serving the greater Holland area—including Zeeland and Saugatuck—for over five decades, McAlpine Chiropractic Group is committed to care that’s practical, responsive, and rooted in real experience.
Our team—Dr. Ann McAlpine, Dr. Phillip Maletta, Dr. Ben De Young, and Dr. Robert Silva—takes the time to understand your concerns and guide you through each step of care.
We also offer support services that complement chiropractic treatment. These include massage therapy for muscle relaxation, laser therapy for pain management, infrared sauna sessions to support healing, and nutritional counseling. Our office works with pediatric patients as well, helping children address spinal tension related to posture, growth, or activity.
Pay Attention to Your Body Signals. Schedule a Consultation Today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if chiropractic care is right for me?
If your pain or stiffness doesn’t go away after a few days, it’s time to get checked.
Is chiropractic care safe?
Yes, licensed chiropractors use proven methods that are safe and well-established.
Will insurance cover my visits?
Most insurance plans cover chiropractic care, and we help verify your coverage.
How soon will I feel better?
Many patients notice relief within the first few visits, depending on their condition.
Can chiropractic care prevent future pain?
Yes, ongoing care can help reduce flare-ups and keep your spine working well
