Back pain has become a prevalent health issue currently. Not only does it affect older adults who are moving into their later years, but it is also affecting the younger population. Sitting hours at office desks or computers is causing chronic back pain now that most of our work has shifted to screens. Back pain can occur frequently but can also worsen or last for an extended period. Painkillers and other invasive treatments may not be able to address the cause of the pain from the root. On the other hand, seeing a back pain chiropractor is an option that can give you long-lasting relief from pain.
How does chiropractic therapy give lasting relief from back pain?
Back pain can be treated non-invasively and without any drugs with chiropractic care. A chiropractor for back pain can help you in a variety of ways. They will ask you about your symptoms and medical background in the initial part of the therapy. Then they will conduct a physical examination and request tests like X-rays if needed. Your chiropractor will collaborate with you to develop a customized treatment plan based on their findings. One or more of the following could be part of this entire strategy –
- Spinal adjustment and manipulation: This method is often referred to as chiropractic adjustment. It is one of the processes that chiropractors use most frequently. The spine and joints are moved and massaged, and pressure is applied during this hands-on approach. Spinal manipulation is a technique that is used by chiropractors to treat the underlying cause of pain and increase the range of motion.
- Manual therapies: A chiropractor for back pain may also use other manual therapies to relieve back pain, where the spine will be stimulated for comfort. Some of these are massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy. These treatments all aim to reduce tension in the ligaments, muscles, and tendons that are around the spine.
- Rehabilitative activities: Chiropractors can also recommend rehabilitative exercises to patients with back pain. These exercises are suggested to strengthen the muscles that are around the spine, which may be causing back pain because of tenderness. Patients can do these exercises regularly to reduce pain gradually and stop any further damage caused by the weakened muscles.
- Lifestyle and nutritional counseling: Chiropractors can also suggest changes to the patient’s lifestyle and diet so that they can better manage the symptoms of back pain. They can recommend adjusting your food, exercise patterns, and sleeping habits. They can also make suggestions for both your body and mind to take extra measures for stress relief so that your nerves can relax and your pain does not get worse.
When to visit a chiropractor for back pain?
Now that you know how chiropractic care can treat your back pain, it is time to know the signs that may be telling you to schedule an appointment. Your body will automatically tell you if the kind of treatment you are following is not working for your symptoms. In that case, seeing a back pain chiropractor may be a useful alternative. Let us see some of the reasons why you may want to visit a chiropractor for a change.
- Pain is in the hard tissue: If pain is being caused by the hard tissue and not the soft tissue, chiropractic care may be a good solution. This is because massage alone cannot ease the tightness and sharp pain caused by spinal misalignment. In this case, hands-on adjustments by a chiropractor can work quickly and effectively.
- Pinched nerve: Sharp pain and numbness caused by a pinched nerve may need chiropractic attention. A chiropractor will identify what is causing the pinched nerve and try to realign the obstructing bone, relax tense muscles, and give the nerve more space to operate normally.
- Ineffective alternative therapy: If other forms of treatment like massage therapy, dry needling, and painkillers are not working, it is a good idea to visit a chiropractor.
- Athletic career: If you are an athlete, chiropractic care regularly may be very helpful to you. Both for the overall nervous and circulatory health of your body and quick recovery from common sports injuries, chiropractic therapy is very beneficial.
Conclusion
Back pain is a very common concern, both for older adults and young people who spend hours in a fixed posture. If other treatments like painkillers and massage therapy are not enough to alleviate pain, chiropractic therapy can be beneficial for back pain symptoms. With hands-on adjustments combined with lab tests, chiropractors can identify the underlying sources of pain and thus address them more effectively, leading to faster recovery.
