Chiropractic Examination Procedures For Lower Back Pain
Sometimes people feel hesitant when it comes to chiropractic care, but there is no need for that.
Before starting any course of care, a quality chiropractor will examine the patient very carefully and make an initial diagnosis. Theyll look over your health history to understand various past issues that could be causing lower back pain .
Chiropractors also pay attention to the duration and the severity of your symptoms. They classify them depending on how long they are lasting and how strong they are.
Generally, laboratory tests are not required for non-specific lower back pain but your chiropractor may decide to take x-rays.
As mentioned, there are various reasons why lower back pain can occur. That is why your chiropractor has to perform such an in-depth examination before determining an appropriate treatment.
After you have been getting regular care for a period of time, it is also a best practice for your chiropractor to perform a reexamination to determine how effective the course of care has been.
Know Which Tests And Treatments Can Help
Licensed chiropractors adjust the body to improve alignment, ease pain, and restore movement in the spine or joints. This is called spinal adjustment. Recent research shows that it can work as well to relieve pain and discomfort as drugs and surgery, and it is also safer.
The chiropractor gives the patient exercises to help improve alignment and prevent injury. He or she also promotes healthy behaviors such as quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight.
Chiropractors offer a variety of tests and treatments. The American Chiropractic Association urges patients to talk with their healthcare provider to make sure they are getting the tests and treatments they need.
Most people with lower-back pain dont need imaging tests.
X-rays and other imaging tests usually dont help your doctor diagnose and treat back pain. In fact, back pain usually goes away on its own in a matter of weeks.These tests also:
- Use radiation, which can build up over time and increase your risk of cancer.
- May lead to unnecessary treatments, such as opioid pain-killers or surgery. These can increase your risks and costs.
When imaging tests might help.
In some cases, chiropractors need to use imaging to make sure their adjustments will not harm you. For example, it may be important to check for a problem, such as a fracture or osteoporosis. A history of cancer may also justify imaging.
Avoid passive therapies unless you have them along with other treatments.
How Long Does Chiropractic Adjustment Last
A chiropractic visit typically lasts for up to 30 minutes. An introductory visit typically lasts longer than a routine visit.
Do you feel immediate relief after chiropractic adjustment?
According to some that get spinal adjustments, the effects can be felt immediately, and the patient will feel reenergized. Most of the time those that see these results didnt have a significant issue with their spinal alignment, and simply needed a reset to release the tension that they were feeling.
How do you know if a chiropractor is working?
For the most part, people will start to feel relief after their first few visits, if not the first chiropractic visit. Estimates have 60% of patients feeling relief after their first visit, while 30% of patients take two to three trips to feel relief.
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A Chiropractor For Sciatica
Chiropractors are a great place to start when you havesciatica-like shooting pain or associated symptoms such as leg or foottingling, numbness or weakness.
Chiropractors are a portal of entry, meaning you dont need a referral to see one, says chiropractor Andrew Bang, DC. Were trained to work with musculoskeletal concerns, so we can help identify whats the root cause of your symptoms.
Chiropractic care is usuallycovered under most insurance plans, whether private, Medicare or Medicaid. Anda visit to the chiropractor may save you a step. Chiropractors can quicklyidentify whether your concern needs to be elevated to the next level and if youneed to pursue:
- Referrals: A referral to a physical or occupational therapist oran acupuncturist.
- Medications: Talking to your primary care physician about aprescription for short-term use of muscle relaxant, steroid oranti-inflammatory medicines.
- Imaging scans: Getting an X-ray or MRI.
What Are The Benefits And Risks Of Chiropractic Care
Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care are generally considered safe, effective treatments for acute low back pain, the type of sudden injury that results from moving furniture or getting tackled. Acute back pain, which is more common than chronic pain, lasts no more than six weeks and typically gets better on its own.
Research has also shown chiropractic care to be helpful in treating neck pain and headaches. In addition, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia may respond to the moderate pressure used both by chiropractors and practitioners of deep tissue massage.
Studies have not confirmed the effectiveness of prolotherapy or sclerotherapy for pain relief, used by some chiropractors, osteopaths, and medical doctors, to treat chronic back pain, the type of pain that may come on suddenly or gradually and lasts more than three months. The therapy involves injections such as sugar water or anesthetic in hopes of strengthening the ligaments in the back.
People who have osteoporosis, spinal cord compression, or inflammatory arthritis, or who take blood-thinning medications should not undergo spinal manipulation. In addition, patients with a history of cancer should first obtain clearance from their medical doctor before undergoing spinal manipulation.
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Are There Any Risks Involved With Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic treatments for lower back pain may seem intimidating or uncomfortable, but they’re generally effective and safe when performed by a properly trained chiropractor.
Mild side effects are common following manual treatments, and they’ve been more frequently reported in patients following manual spinal interventions. More severe side effects can happen but are rare, according to research. Mild side effects are short-term and should resolve in a few hours to a couple of days.
According to a large-scale review of 250 studies, around 23% to 83% of adult patients experience mild side effects following a specific chiropractic manual thrust method for neck and/or back pain.
These reported side effects include:
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Increased musculoskeletal discomfort or pain
Finding Relief For Your Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the top reasons for a chiropractic visit. In the U.S., much of our days are spent sitting in front of a screen, hunched over with our spine in a C-shape. This can cause tremendous lower back pain. In some people, the lower back moves in the opposite direction, with an exaggerated curve called lordosis. This can compress the lumbar spine, causing pain.
Seeing a chiropractor for back pain is a highly effective way of managing low back pain, in addition to other types of pain. For many people, low back pain will resolve on its own after a few days, weeks, or months. For many others, though, low back pain can become chronic, even debilitating. When this happens, the best way to manage low back pain is by adopting lifestyle changes. This may mean incorporating regular exercise and a healthy diet. Or, it could mean utilizing a variety of pain management techniques, such as chiropractic care, medications, physical therapy, and yoga. Chiropractic care provide another potential pain management technique to help control low back pain. It might even be more effective than other pain management techniques!
Other spinal disorders may also be treated with chiropractic care. Scoliosis, intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and sciatica pain are different spinal disorders that may respond well to treatment. Seeing a chiropractor for back pain is the number one reason people visit, but chiropractic care can be useful for other conditions.
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The Pain Is Generated From Hard Tissue Rather Than Soft Muscular Tissue
The medical industry classifies pain according to the points of the body impacted and the structural tissue involved. Pain that is created by injury to soft tissue like the muscles is often treated effectively through massage therapy, but pain generated from hard tissue is more likely to require spinal manipulation or other techniques best performed by a well-trained chiropractor.
The spine and joints are two examples of hard tissue that may lead to lower back pain. Tightness and sharp pain caused by spinal misalignment isnt easily relieved through massage alone, so visiting a chiropractor is essential. Other conditions may involve unspecified tissue, and most patients find that treatment by a chiropractor is the fastest and most consistent route to relieve.
What Education Is Required For Their Job
Physical therapists receive their Doctorate in Physical Therapy following competition of a doctoral program from an accredited PT school. They then must pass the national licensure exam to practice. A PT graduate program takes around three years to complete and comprises of about 80% classroom and lab study, and 20% clinical rotations. PTs then require annual continuing medical education to maintain their license.
Chiropractors receive their Doctorate of Chiropractic after completing a doctoral program through an accredited chiropractic school, passing a national board exam, and getting a license in the state in which they plan to practice. The graduate program curriculum blends time in the classroom and lab with clinical internships. Chiropractors must meet yearly continuing education requirements to maintain their licensure.
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How Often Should You See A Chiropractor For Your Pain
How often you should see a chiropractor will depend on your unique needs and circumstance. You might have regular appointments once per week, once every other week or once per month. Following an injury, you may need several sessions during the first few weeks of treatment. Some patients may not have regularly scheduled chiropractic sessions instead, they schedule a visit following a pain flare-up, however often that might be. The regularity with which you should see a chiropractor will depend on the nature and severity of your symptoms.
Can Chiropractors Cause Arthritis In The Back
Some associate chiropractic care with developing arthritis. The association is a myth seeing a chiropractor will not cause arthritis. Instead, chiropractors restore your joint alignment. Chiropractic care can help prevent or alleviate arthritis.
The term arthritis refers to a range of joint diseases and conditions, of which there are many different forms. They can result from aging, inflammation, trauma, infection, overuse or misalignment. One common form of arthritis is facet joint syndrome, which can cause pain and spasms. Because chiropractic treatment promotes joint realignment and strengthening, it may help prevent or reduce arthritis depending on its root cause. Since arthritis is a chronic condition, other treatment methods may be necessary.
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Do Chiropractors Help With Lower Back Pain
Licensed chiropractors adjust the body to improve alignment, ease pain, and restore movement in the spine or joints. This is called spinal adjustment. Recent research shows that it can work as well to relieve pain and discomfort as drugs and surgery, and it is also safer.
How does a chiropractor adjust the lower back?
During the Lower Back Adjustment You will be asked to lie down on a special table. The chiropractor will manipulate your limbs to stretch your muscles and to stimulate joint release thats the popping or cracking sound. Its just like cracking your knuckles, but on a larger scale.
Can a chiropractor make your back worse?
Serious complications associated with chiropractic adjustment are overall rare, but may include: A herniated disk or a worsening of an existing disk herniation. Compression of nerves in the lower spinal column.
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Massage Therapy Heat Therapy And Other Treatments Have Failed To Provide Adequate Relief
Many patients enter a chiropractors office only after trying various forms of treatment without success. They may experience some pain relief as a result of other treatments, but theyre still in enough pain that their daily lives are impacted.
This doesnt mean that they give up all other forms of treatment in order to work with a chiropractor.
Massage therapy, dry needling, and other treatment options combine well with chiropractic treatment. A well-rounded treatment plan combines practices in order to deliver more satisfying results for every patient. Anyone struggling with lower back pain will benefit from visiting a chiropractor at least once. That initial consultation is often enough to determine whether this form of treatment is helpful in relieving pain on a case-by-case basis.
A well-rounded treatment plan combines practices in order to deliver more satisfying results for every patient. Anyone struggling with lower back pain will benefit from visiting a chiropractor at least once. That initial consultation is often enough to determine whether this form of treatment is helpful in relieving you pain.
Call us today to set up a free consultation.
What Did The Study Researchers Find Out
Between 2012 and 2016, a research team evaluated chiropractic care on 750 active-duty U.S. military service members. The mean age of participants was 30.9 years old.
The patients were put into two groups. One group received traditional medical care for back pain along with chiropractic care the other group only received traditional care. While traditional care can include medication, the chiropractic care included spinal manipulation adjustments along with manual therapies such as ice, heat, cryotherapy, and rehabilitative exercises.
After six weeks, those who got both types of care reported moderately higher improvements in pain intensity and disability compared with those who only received traditional medical care.
The current study provides the strongest evidence to date that chiropractic care is safe, effective, and results in high levels of patient satisfaction and perceived treatment benefit, thus strengthening our knowledge regarding this conservative nondrug option for low back pain, Christine M. Goertz, DC, PhD, a chiropractor with the Spine Institute for Quality in Iowa, told Healthline.
In an accompanying editorial , Daniel C. Cherkin, PhD, a senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, said the study will help medical experts better treat military personnel.
But, Cherkin said integrating chiropractic care into the military health system will require communication and referrals.
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Continuing Low Back Pain Treatment
Living with chronic low back pain is a challenge, but chiropractors want to emphasize to patients that self-therapy is a vital component of pain management. This can include rehabilitation and range-of-motion exercises. However, chiropractors also may encourage more multimodal approaches, such as incorporating , , , , and many more treatment options that can be very beneficial. The treatments recommended and the benefits gained can vary with every individual, which is why it is important to be in a proactive, communicative relationship with your chiropractor.
Globe G, Farabaugh RJ, Hawk C, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Chiropractic care for low back pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2015. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2015.10.006
What Does A Chiropractor Do For Lower Back Pain
There are various techniques a chiropractor uses to treat lower back pain. Treatment is very individualized and depends on many factors. Generally, chiropractors use spine adjustment techniques throughout the course of treatment .
The core of chiropractic care typically involves lower back pain treatment through manual therapy, which may include:
Spinal mobilization
Spinal mobilization can be used to treat lumbar pain in some people. This is a more gentle chiropractic approach that involves muscle and joint stretching.
Chiropractors may use spinal mobilization for many reasons, such as:
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Treating people with sensitive nervous systems: Gentle chiropractic approaches may benefit this group in keeping their bodies from reactive muscle spasms.
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Patient preference: Certain individuals prefer spinal mobilization approaches over spinal manipulation approaches.
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Chiropractors choice: They may use spinal mobilization for patients in the acute stage of their condition and experiencing severe pain.
Spinal manipulation
Most chiropractic treatments usually involve some type of spinal manipulation, also referred to as chiropractic adjustment. It is thought that a properly aligned spine can improve overall bodily function, which may allow better functioning of:
Chiropractors achieve spinal alignment through manual manipulation. This often involves applying force in short bursts to align the joints.
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How Can A Chiropractor Relieve My Back Pain
There are many different ways that a chiropractor can help with back pain. At your first appointment, they will likely ask you about your symptoms and medical history. They will then do a physical examination and may order tests, such as X-rays, if necessary. Based on their findings, your chiropractor will work with you to create a treatment plan specifically for you. This plan may involve one or more of the following:
Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment option for back pain. If you are experiencing back pain, you should reach out to a chiropractor for pain relief.
Major Benefits Of Seeing A Chiropractor For Lower Back Pain
When you have lower back pain, its the type of issue that can compromise your entire health. Not only is this a nagging injury that can bring excruciating pain to your waking life, but it can damage your psyche and wear your resolve.
Hiring a chiropractor for lower back pain can improve your life. Read on and consider these points so you can find a chiropractor that can improve your health and wellness.
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Should You See A Doctor Or Chiropractor For Back Pain
There are a large number of people around the world that suffer from back pain. Sometimes its the result of picking up something thats too heavy and the pain doesnt last very long. However, there are times when back pain is ongoing, severe and includes a range of other symptoms. For instance, if you have back pain that includes tingling in either your arms or legs, its a good idea to visit a doctor. The same applies to back pain thats so severe that it interferes with your ability to sleep or participate in daily activities. The question of whether to visit a doctor or a chiropractor isnt always an either/or situation. Sometimes you should start out with a visit to your doctor to find out if there is a conservative solution that can resolve your back pain. However, there are a good number of people that make the decision to initially visit a chiropractor because the only solution they want is one that does not involve surgery.
