Although many symptoms of an injury or illness can be a nuisance, they are actually extremely important. Things like headaches, dizziness, insomnia, acid reflux, and many other types of pain are like a built in warning system. It is our body’s way of telling us that something has gone wrong, or that something is not functioning properly.At times, it may be easy to determine when and where a particular symptom may come from. For example, if you get a splinter or cut your finger, it is very easy to see specifically why that injury is painful. At other times, however, it can be more difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of certain symptoms. Why do some people experience heartburn or migraines while others do not? These are not necessarily genetic traits handed down, but may actually point to an underlying problem somewhere in the body.Now, the first thought that may come to many peoples mind is, “I take _(fill in the blank)_ medication for my problem, and it goes away.” My usual follow up to a statement like this is to ask “How long before it comes back?” The reason for this, is that it ALWAYS DOES come back! These medications, whether over-the-counter or prescribed only mask the symptoms you may be having. In addition, many of them also have side effects of their own to contend with, and eventually, something else may be added again to cover up the new symptoms.In our chiropractic office, while we do not base our entire treatment approach off of the pain or symptoms you may be having, we do pay close attention to what each patient is feeling or how those symptoms are changing. Symptoms are like a fire alarm, they let you know something isn’t right in the building, but they don’t necessarily tell you where or how severe the problem is. It wouldn’t make sense to shut off the alarm and ignore the fire, but rather to investigate the problem and find the best way to put it out.At Optimal Chiropractic, we take time to listen to our patients and develop the best possible course of treatment for each individual patient. If you are looking for a chiropractor in the Post Falls or North Idaho region, give our office a call today to see how we can help you achieve your best health.