Back pain is one of the most common problems adults face in their lives. Many back pain sufferers opt for chiropractic treatment to help solve the pain problems.
Whether you have been looking for alternative pain treatment or have a new injury causing pain, chiropractic treatment can help alleviate symptoms associated with back injuries.
What Can Chiropractic Treatment Solve?
A chiropractic doctor uses spinal manipulation to adjust the alignment of your spine. After an alignment, your body can potentially heal itself and help you alleviate back pain. Effective treatments can also restore mobility, relieve stress, and repair tissue damage.
Your chiropractor needs to know your medical history to perform a treatment effectively. Sharing your medical history, medications, and lifestyle will ensure you have a safe visit.
One of the best ways to understand the cause of your pain is through a lumbar spine x-ray. This procedure can identify congenital disabilities, spinal injuries, osteoarthritis, and other back problems.
While many think chiropractic treatments are exclusive to back pain, the treatment can also help with other issues. You can seek chiropractic treatment for a variety of problems, including:
- Pain in the muscles
- Joint pain or damage
- Bone and ligament problems
- Ligament damage
- Scoliosis
You can also alleviate other issues like neck pain and headaches.
What Does Chiropractic Treatment for Back Pain Involve?
Once your chiropractor has reviewed your medical history, they will perform a physical exam. The doctor uses controlled force and movements to manipulate your joints, muscles, spinal cord, and back during the procedure.
Once the process is over, they may recommend other treatments, including:
- Diets
- Exercise
- Prescriptions
- Alternative pain treatments
Benefits and Risks Associated With Chiropractic Care
Besides alleviating pain, visiting a chiropractor offers other benefits. Of course, there are risks associated with the treatment as well.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Opioid addiction has become a significant problem in the United States. A 2020 study showed a reduced reliance on opioid pain relievers after patients visited a chiropractor. The study concluded that patients were half as likely to fill a prescription after a chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic treatment is often much cheaper than traditional treatments. It is more accessible to low-income patients or patients with no health care.
Besides back pain, you can use chiropractic care to ease tension headaches and neck pain. It is also known to reduce scoliosis symptoms and improve poor posture. Other patients have enjoyed improved mobility after treatment.
Risks With Chiropractic Care
Unfortunately, chiropractic treatments are not ideal for everyone. Patients with osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis, or spinal cord compression should avoid these treatments. Also, cancer patients require medical clearance before chiropractic treatment.
While rare, problems can happen during spinal manipulation. Herniated and slipped discs are two of the most common issues that can occur during a session.
Other Treatments That Can Help With Back Pain
Regular chiropractic treatment is ideal for many patients to deal with their back pain. To improve your condition further, here is a list of other therapies and techniques to reduce or eliminate back pain.
Visiting a massage therapist can alleviate pain and stress. Massages are designed to increase blood circulation and relieve muscle tension. They often focus on the neck, shoulders, and back.
Exercise is effective at building muscle and strengthening your joints. It also releases endorphins which is a natural painkiller. Depending on the severity of your chronic pain, you can use options like biking, walking, and swimming to strengthen your body and alleviate your pain over time.
Yoga is highly effective at combating aging, stress, and pain. The combination of stretching, strength-building, breathing, and meditation is ideal for anyone experiencing neck or back pain. Along with yoga, mindfulness and relaxation exercises can go a long way in alleviating stress and pain.
Diet and nutrition can go a long way to solving pain problems. Eating less inflammatory foods and more plant-based foods have been known to help. Also, depending on your specific conditions, you can add nutritional supplements and herbal remedies to your diet. You can also use CBD oils and tinctures to reduce inflammation and pain issues.
You can use over-the-counter and prescription drugs such as Tylenol or ibuprofen to relieve aches and stiffness. There are also a variety of creams that relieve pain when applied directly to your skin. Your doctor can prescribe stronger medications, including muscle relaxants, antidepressants, or steroid injections for severe pain issues.
In Review
A chiropractor is one of the most effective ways to alleviate back pain. They can provide immediate pain relief for a variety of issues. Combined with exercise, diet, and other remedies, you can enjoy a life free of back pain.
