Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeTrendingCan Chiropractor Help With Lower Back Pain

Can Chiropractor Help With Lower Back Pain

How Does A Chiropractor Help Relieve Back Pain

How a Chiropractor can help Low Back Pain, by Dr. Pecoraro, Chiropractor NJ

When you see a chiropractor for your back pain, they will complete a thorough examination to diagnose the specific cause of your pain.

Once a diagnosis has been made, the chiropractor will be able to put together a specialized treatment plan that will effectively treat your back pain conditions.

The chiropractor may utilize a combination of spinal adjustments, manual therapies, and therapeutic exercises to help you heal quickly and optimally.

Some of the spinal manipulation techniques may include:

  • Flexion-Distraction Technique is a gentle, hands-on manipulation that involves a pumping action on the intervertebral disc instead of direct force.
  • Instrument-Assisted Manipulation uses a hand-held instrument to allow the chiropractor to apply force without thrusting into the spine.
  • Specific Spinal Manipulation helps restore joint movement using a gentle thrusting technique.

With these techniques and therapies, our chiropractors are able to restore mobility to the joints and help to relieve back pain symptoms.

The goal of your chiropractor is to not only treat your back pain but the person as a whole.

We might educate you on nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle goals in addition to treating your back pain.

With chiropractic care, you will also learn how to prevent your back pain from getting worse as well as how to prevent back pain in the future.

Treating Lower Back Pain

When you see a chiropractor for lower back pain, you can rest assured that you will not be prescribed any medications or undergo and risky surgical procedures. In fact, chiropractors use all-natural, non-invasive treatments and techniques so you dont have to worry about side effects or lengthy recovery times. Chiropractic care uses gentle adjustments, massage, stretches, and more to help your body naturally experience healing and recovery. Here are a few ways chiropractic can help to treat lower back pain:

Curious To Know If Chiropractic Is For You

Millions of people around the world have found relief from pain and mobility issues by getting a lower back adjustment from a chiropractor. Here in the U.S., most insurance policies cover this treatment, so theres no reason not to give it a try. And who knows you might soon find yourself starring in one of those YouTube videos!

Ready to give chiropractic a try? Contact our office to schedule an appointment!

Read Also: Why Do I Have A Sharp Pain In My Back

When Should I See A Chiropractor For Lower Back Pain

With so many contributing factors, you may feel like having back pain is just a normal part of life. But it can be prevented in some cases, and seeing a chiropractor for treatment can help get you back on your feet. Things like regular exercise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking, and being mindful of your posture while standing and sitting can help prevent or reduce your back pain. If your lumbar pain has persisted for more than a few weeks, if it is severe, and if it extends past your lower back and into your legs, it’s a good idea to seek out a chiropractor for lower back pain treatment.

What Do Chiropractors Do For Back Pain

What Does a Chiropractor Do For Lower Back Pain

If youre wondering whether or not a chiropractor is worth it, consider what chiropractors can and cannot do for back pain. A chiropractor can treat certain conditions causing back pain. In most cases, a chiropractor will address acute pain and stiffness.

Acute pain has an exact cause and is self-limited. For instance, if you tweak a nerve in your back while moving furniture, a chiropractor may be able to help relieve your pain. Many patients seek chiropractic adjustment after a sports injury, car accident or other instance of acute pain.

Recommended Reading: Can You Get Disability For Lower Back Pain

Signs Its Time To See A Chiropractor For Your Lower Back Pain

For many patients with lower back pain, accepting that chiropractic treatment is needed and booking the first appointment is far more difficult than following through with consistent treatment over time. Many will try massage therapy before trying chiropractic care because it seems more relaxing and hints that the condition causing back pain is less severe, but that form of treatment might not be enough. Others simply live with the pain until it becomes unbearable and facing the problem is no longer an option. Here are some signs it might be time to see a chiropractor for your lower back pain.

Reasons To See A Chiropractor

Are you stressed? Do you suffer from headaches, migraines, or sleep deprivation? Is arthritis, whiplash, or carpal tunnel syndrome preventing you from performing simple, everyday tasks? Chiropractic treatment is a safe, natural way to alleviate your aches and pains.

The goal of most chiropractic techniques is to help your body heal itself by restoring or enhancing joint function, resolving joint inflammation, reducing pain, and improving your overall health . . . not just your posture.

Here are 13 reasons to see a chiropractorand back pain is only one of them.

Recommended Reading: How To Sleep To Help Lower Back Pain

The Benefits And Potential Risks Of Chiropractic Care

Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care are generally considered safe and effective treatments for severe low back pain, neck pain, and headaches. There are several studies suggesting that people who undergo chiropractic treatments for at least six weeks of treatment reported less pain intensity, less disability, and improvement in function and reported needing less pain medicine.

Yet, some risks can exist to chiropractic care. For example, chiropractic treatment has worsened a herniated or slipped disk in some rare cases, and neck manipulation resulted in a spinal cord injury.

How Often Should You See A Chiropractor For Your Pain

How To Treat Lower Back Pain Sciatica at Advanced Chiropractic Relief

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.

You May Like: Does Stress Cause Back Pain

What Is A Chiropractor

Learn what to expect during a visit with a chiropractor where an adjustment to the spine is performed. Watch:Your First Chiropractic Adjustment: What To Expect Video

Most chiropractors seek to reduce pain and improve the functionality of patients as well as to educate them on how they can account for their own health via exercise, ergonomics and other therapies to treat back pain.

Chiropractic is generally categorized as alternative medicine or complementary medicine.

Add Strength Programmes For Stability Of The Spine

A physiotherapist can also design a treatment plan that includes various exercises that help in improving lumbar stability. Exercises such as the hamstring stretch, pelvic tilt, and arm or leg raises help in strengthening the spine as well as treating instability. Lumbar stabilization helps to reduce back pain, strengthen the spine and muscles and improve movement.

Also Check: Can Herpes Cause Back Pain

How Can A Chiropractor Help

A chiropractor is a healthcare professional focused on the diagnosis and treatment of musculo-skeletal conditions.

Chiropractic care is a safe, effective, non-invasive and drug-free way to deal with lower back pain. Chiropractors use a range of techniques to relieve back pain. The three most common techniques used are:

What Did The Study Researchers Find Out

Townsville

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.

Don’t Miss: What Kind Of Cancer Causes Back Pain

Chiropractic Addresses The Entire Body

How common is chiropractic care? Approximately 22 million Americans visit the chiropractor each year. Of that number, about a third 35% do so in the hopes of finding relief for their back pain.

However, chiropractic adjustments can be effective for many different issues. These include:

  • Headaches and migraines
  • Osteoporosis
  • Fibromyalgia

Chiropractic care also helps alleviate stress and tension. It has even been shown to boost the immune system. Plenty of people who do not suffer from chronic pain visit the chiropractor regularly. They want to keep their body in alignment and allow their energy to flow freely.

It might not seem as though cracking your spine or moving your limbs about could help with issues arising elsewhere in the body. However, chiropractic care is holistic and affects the entire system. You might be surprised at what a difference it can make in your overall physical condition and well-being!

What Happens In A Typical Chiropractic Treatment

The first meeting with a chiropractor is an evaluation to assess the functionality of the spine, including alignment, range of motion, and strength and flexibility of supporting muscles and ligaments.

We also discuss possible root causes of a patients back pain, which may include postural habits or activities of daily living that could be straining the back and causing pain, explains Matthew H. Kowalski, DC, a licensed chiropractor at The Osher Clinical Center for Integrative Medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital, and President of the New England Spine Institute.

Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Lower Back Pain Naturally

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 Is Spinal Manipulation

Can chiropractic help leg weakness and low back pain – Auburn Hills MI Upper Cervical Chiropractic
  • Spinal manipulation is also called spinal manipulative therapy. Itâs a technique where practitioners use their hands or a device to apply a controlled thrust to a joint of your spine. The amount of force can vary, but the thrust moves the joint more than it would on its own. Spinal manipulation is different from spinal mobilization, which doesnât involve a thrust .
  • Most spinal manipulations are done by chiropractors , although other licensed professionals including osteopathic physicians and physical therapists also do spinal manipulations.
  • Spinal manipulation is one of the most common complementary health approaches used by adults and children in the United States, the 2012 National Health Interview Survey showed.
  • For more information on what chiropractors do, see the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health webpage Chiropractic.

You May Like: Are Epidural Injections For Back Pain Safe

Treating Pain And Stiffness With An Adjustment

There are many types of pain that a patient can experience in their lumbar region, or lower back. Sharp or stabbing pains, a persistent dull ache, a burning sensation, and spasms are all relatively common. It depends on whether the injury is to the muscles, nerves, joints, tendons, or other non-muscular soft tissue.

Another frequent condition associated with lumbar injury or strain is reduced mobility and stiffness. It may hurt to move certain body parts in certain ways, or you may be unable to bend over, reach for an object, or roll over in bed.

Chiropractic care does double duty when it comes to acute pain. Not only does it relieve the symptoms of pain and stiffness, but it also works to correct the underlying problem. In other words, its a win-win.

What Are The Causes Of Spinal Stenosis

Some cases of narrow spinal canals are congenital, but on most occasions, the condition is a result of several factors including:

Spinal injuries: Trauma such as those from car accidents or falls can cause a dislocation of one or more bones of the spine. The inflammation of the surrounding tissues after back surgery may similarly put excess pressure on the spinal cord and its nerve network.

Stiff and thickened ligaments: Each of the bones in your spinal cord have tough tissues that join them to other bones. When this tough tissue thickens and bulges, it can lead to a case of spinal stenosis.

Bone overgrowth: Conditions such as osteoarthritis lead to wear and tear on the spinal bones, subsequently causing the formation of spinal spurs.

Old age/herniated discs:As you grow older, the soft cushioning material that works as a shock absorber between the spinal discs gradually dries out and flattens. The result is that the bones press heavily together and form bone spurs. Disc herniation may also be caused by injuries or a dislocation of the spinal bones.

Don’t Miss: What Can You Do When Your Lower Back Hurts

During The Lower Back Adjustment

So what happens during an 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. This is normal and harmless.

They may also bend your joints or position you in a certain way, and hold that position for a little while. Try to relax, dont tense up your muscles, and let them do the work. The practitioner may focus on your lower back, but the adjustment may very well involve the entire body.

A chiropractor will sometimes also perform therapeutic massage, manual therapy, or myofascial release to complement the spinal manipulation. Or they might refer you to a practitioner who specializes in those forms of treatment.

How Can Chiropractors Help

Does chiropractic care help with lower back pain?

If you experience back pain that lasts more than a few days, consult a chiropractor for an assessment. Your chiropractor will recommend a course of treatment specific to you. Most people respond well to treatment and get back to their regular activities faster than if they chose to wait it out. Here are three common treatment techniques chiropractors use to help you become pain-free:

  • Soft Tissue Therapy: This is where your chiropractor works to relax and treat tight and sore muscles. There are a variety of ways to bring relief to muscles when they are the source of pain, such as manual release therapy , trigger point therapy , or instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy .
  • Manual Therapy: When a joint isnt moving as well as it should, your chiropractor may utilize this treatment technique to help regain motion within a joint. This can be accomplished through joint mobilization or manipulation .
  • Exercise Therapy/Self-Management: Your chiropractor will be able to provide simple exercises that you can do at home to help with your pain and to help prevent it from coming back. They will also be able to provide you with safe lifting techniques, tips for good posture, and other strategies you can incorporate into your day to prevent re-injury.
  • For more information about what sort of treatment is right for you, please consult with your local chiropractor.

    Archive

    Don’t Miss: How To Sleep When Having Lower Back Pain

    What Kinds Of Conditions Does A Chiropractor Treat

    I mainly see spine-related conditions. This includes pain in the low back, called the lumbar spine, the upper back, called the thoracic spine, and the neck . Some of my patients have had a recent injury while others have had pain for many years. Common causes of spine pain include disc problems and muscle spasm. Many patients have leg or arm pain or headaches in addition to back or neck pain. Chiropractors often work with other parts of the body, too — knee injuries, shoulder injuries, things like that — but my main focus is on the spine.

    Top 10 Benefits Of Getting A Chiropractic Adjustment

    Are you experiencing frequent negative health symptoms like back pain, headaches, or stress? Pain medications can only do so much, and they wonât fix your problem.

    Visiting a chiropractor, like us here at Pierce Chiropractic, may be able to help you overcome some or all of your symptoms. A chiropractic adjustment refers to a chiropractor physically adjusting the vertebrae in your back. This type of procedure can have a myriad of positive benefits without the stress or invasiveness of surgery or other more intense techniques.

    Is a chiropractic adjustment right for you? To help you answer that, we are going to take you through some of the top benefits of getting a chiropractic adjustment.

    Don’t Miss: What To Do To Alleviate Lower Back Pain

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular