Back pain is a common issue that many people experience at some point in their lives. If you are suffering from back pain, chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to relieve it.
Chiropractors are experts in evaluating your back and finding the source of the problem. They are skilled in a number of different treatments to help you get relief from your back pain.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic is a holistic form of health care that focuses on diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation and other specialized techniques to alleviate pain, restore mobility, and promote healing without medications or surgery. When you see a chiropractor for back pain, they will start by taking an in-depth history of your symptoms and a comprehensive physical exam. This will include tests like blood pressure, respiration, and range of motion to determine how well your musculoskeletal system is functioning.
Your spine is made up of a number of bones (vertebrae) and connective tissues (ligaments). These joints are flexible and spongy, which allows them to move in the way they are designed to, but it can also cause them to become misaligned. Spinal manipulation helps correct these misalignments and reduces back pain, and chiropractors may also apply other treatments to address soft tissue issues.
During a spinal manipulation, you might hear or feel a popping sound. This is normal and happens because of a process called joint cavitation. The air pressure between the joints creates a bubble that pops when it hits a hard surface, and this releases pressure on the surrounding joint. This is the same mechanism that causes you to crack your knuckles.
Some chiropractors may use hand-held devices that can apply a precise and controlled thrust to the misaligned area, while others will move your body on a table to align the spine. Both of these techniques have been shown to be highly effective in relieving back pain.
Spinal manipulation can also help relieve the pain and numbness associated with neuropathy, which is typically caused by compressed nerves in the lower back. This type of therapy is usually reserved for patients who do not respond to other forms of pain relief, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids.
It is important to note that spinal manipulation is not recommended for people with osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis, or spinal cord compression. You should always consult your doctor before receiving this form of treatment, and if they feel that it would not be safe for you, they can recommend other pain relief options.
Massage
Back pain is common and it affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. It can range from mild to severe and may cause a variety of symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and fatigue. If you are suffering from chronic back pain, it is important to see a chiropractor, especially one as good as the Glendale chiropractors, for help. They can provide therapeutic massages that will help alleviate your pain. They can also teach you stretches and exercises that you can practice at home to improve your condition.
Many people suffer from sedentary lifestyles that can lead to a compressed spine and poor posture that causes back pain. Certain diseases like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis can also affect the back, causing pain. Regardless of the cause, back pain is debilitating and can make it hard to perform daily activities.
Chiropractors can use a variety of techniques to treat back pain, including manual manipulation and soft tissue work. They can also perform electrical stimulation, thermal therapy, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulators (TENS). These tools reduce inflammation, break down scar tissue, and decrease muscle spasms. They are often less expensive and less invasive than medications or surgery, but are just as effective.
Back massage can relieve sore muscles and increase circulation, which will speed up the healing process. It is particularly helpful for patients who have strained their back or who have a herniated disc. A massage can also improve flexibility, which can prevent future back injuries.
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may require several sessions to get relief from back pain. If the pain is confined to one area, it can often be alleviated in 2-3 sessions. However, if the pain is widespread, it can take longer to heal. If you have back pain that is accompanied by other symptoms, such as numbness or tingling, it is a good idea to visit a doctor right away.
In addition to providing therapeutic massages, a Lexington chiropractor can also show you exercises that can increase your strength and flexibility. They can also teach you how to lift heavy objects safely and correctly, as well as proper posture when sitting at a desk or performing other tasks.
Nutritional Counseling
The adage “you are what you eat” isn’t just a popular phrase; it reflects the fact that the nutrients we ingest play a major role in our overall health and well-being, including how our backs function. If the spine or surrounding muscles aren’t getting what they need, this can lead to degeneration and pain.
Chiropractors can help their patients understand how certain foods, vitamins and minerals affect the body and the way that it functions. They can also help their patients develop healthier eating habits that will promote better health and decrease pain and discomfort.
A chiropractic treatment plan may also include massage, spinal manipulation and other techniques to restore proper balance to the body. These methods are considered less intrusive than more invasive therapies such as physical therapy, injections or surgery. A chiropractor will evaluate your medical history, perform a physical exam and do diagnostic testing such as X-rays or bloodwork to determine the cause of your back pain.
Many people with back pain also have a herniated or slipped disc (slipped vertebrae, DDD). A chiropractor can use spinal adjustments to re-align the disk and relieve pressure on the nerves. This type of non-invasive treatment can reduce the need for prescription drugs that can aggravate the symptoms of DDD such as muscle weakness, tingling, numbness or a loss of feeling in parts of the legs and arms.
In some cases, a chiropractor will recommend prolotherapy or sclerotherapy to strengthen the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together. These treatments involve injections of a solution into the painful area that can help to build up the ligaments and make them more resilient to injury.
In combination with spinal manipulation and other treatments, a nutritional counseling session can enhance the results of a chiropractic treatment plan for back pain. The harmonious approach of addressing dietary habits alongside physical adjustments leads to quicker healing, reduced pain and discomfort, as well as improved energy levels and daily functioning. This holistic strategy also decreases the reliance on prescription medication for pain management, affirming the importance of treating the whole person for more comprehensive and sustainable wellness.
Exercise
More than 8 out of 10 people experience back pain at some point during their lives. This could be due to a number of reasons, including poor posture or obesity. The good news is that there are things you can do to help alleviate your back pain, such as seeing a chiropractor in Lexington and staying physically active.
Staying active can prevent back pain from getting worse and keep you from re-injuring yourself. It also strengthens your back muscles and improves the way your spine functions. It can also help you cope with your back pain better by improving your overall mood and reducing the symptoms of your back pain.
Your chiropractor may use several different adjustment techniques to treat your back pain. For example, they may perform spinal manipulation, a type of chiropractic treatment that involves applying a quick thrust to the area with misalignment. During this process, the chiropractor checks that the patient’s body is in the right position before employing the rapid thrust. Spinal manipulation is generally safe but can cause muscle soreness in the initial stages of treatment. However, the soreness will fade within 24 hours. This technique is generally considered more effective than other types of back pain treatments, such as medication or physical therapy. However, it is not recommended for patients who have cancer, inflammatory arthritis, osteoporosis or are taking blood-thinning medications.
In addition to performing spinal manipulation, your chiropractor can help you with exercises that will strengthen your back and improve its function. These include core strengthening exercises and stretches that target the lower back. They can also help you learn how to lift heavy objects properly by bending your knees rather than your back. They can also teach you how to do water exercises, such as marching in place or walking laps and doing both forward and backward movements, to target the entire spine and leg and hip muscles as well.
It is important to find a type of exercise that you will stick with for the long term, and you should start slow to avoid injury. However, the National Institutes of Health reports that not moving enough can actually make your back pain worse.
