Chiropractic care for back pain

Most people who are looking for alternatives to relieve back pain choose chiropractic care and  treatment. Around 22 million Americans see chiropractors each year. 7,7 million Americans, or 35% of all chiropractors, seek relief from back pain caused by accidents, sports injuries and muscle strains. Pain in the arms, legs, neck and back are also common complaints.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractors perform spinal manipulations and alternative treatments. The theory goes that the proper alignment of a body’s musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, allows the body to heal without medication or surgery. The manipulation is used to restore joint mobility that has been restricted by tissue injuries caused by trauma, such a falling, or by repetitive stress, like sitting without proper support.

Chiropractic treatment is used primarily as an alternative to pain relief for muscles, joints and bones. It also treats connective tissues, like cartilage, ligaments and tendons. Sometimes it is used along with conventional medical treatments.

The initials “DC”, which stand for a chiropractor’s name. Those are used to identify someone who has completed four years of chiropractic school and an undergraduate degree.

What is the Chiropractic Treatment of Back Pain?

A chiropractor will first take a medical history and perform a physical exam. Lab tests or diagnostic imaging may be used to determine the appropriate treatment for your backache.

Treatment plans may include one or more manual adjustment procedures in which the doctor uses a controlled and sudden force to manipulate the joints. This is done to improve the range of motion and the quality. Chiropractic care aims to relieve back pain, but also restore function and prevent injury.

Benefits and Risk factors of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care for back pain

Acute low back pain is caused by sudden injuries, such as moving furniture or being tackled. Spinal manipulations and chiropractic care can be effective, safe treatments. Acute backache, which is commoner than chronic pain and lasts for no longer than six weeks, usually gets better by itself.

  • Chiropractic care has been shown to help with neck pain and headaches. The moderate pressure applied by deep tissue massage practitioners and chiropractors may also help osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia.
  • The effectiveness of prolotherapy and sclerotherapy, which are used by chiropractors, osteopaths and doctors to treat chronic pain (pain that comes on suddenly or slowly and lasts longer than three months), has not been proven in studies. Injections of sugar water or anesthetic are used to strengthen the ligaments.
  • People with osteoporosis or spinal cord compression or those who take blood thinners or have inflammatory arthritis or osteoporosis should avoid spinal manipulation. Patients with a cancer history should also seek medical clearance before undergoing spinal manipulative therapy.
  • The chiropractor will base all treatment on a correct diagnosis of your pain. Your chiropractor should know your medical history including any ongoing conditions, medications you are taking, trauma/surgical history and lifestyle factors. There have been rare cases where treatment has worsened herniated or slip discs, or neck manipulation caused a spinal injury. Always check with your doctor if you want to be sure that chiropractic treatment or any other alternative pain relief will help your condition.