Back pain can be caused by a variety of conditions and injuries. Chiropractic care is used as an effective form of treatment for almost any type of back pain. It can be used as an effective treatment when managing back pain caused by both injuries and medical conditions. As a primary treatment option, it can eliminate the need for the extended use of anti-inflammatory medications and other pain medications that can become addictive with long periods of use.
Remedy # 1: Electrical Stimulation
Spinal cord injuries can be caused by motor vehicle accidents or sporting accidents. Chiropractic care can be used to effectively treat these types of injuries through the use of electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation sends pulses of electricity, much like brain waves, to injured areas in an attempt to stimulate new cell growth and encourage healing.
Remedy# 2: Massage Therapy
In cases, where nerves that branch off of the spine are impinged or compromised massage therapy can be used to reduce inflammation and increase the flow of oxygenated blood to the area. This type of condition causes numbness and tingling in the extremities, making the limbs feel as if they have “fallen asleep.” Spinal stenosis and pinched nerves fall into this category. If left untreated, it can lead to nerve damage and scar tissue that extends upwards into the spinal column.
Remedy # 3: Chiropractic Adjustments, Manual Therapy & Therapeutic Exercises
Herniated discs can also cause severe back pain. A herniated disc is often caused by improper or poor body mechanics while a person is working at their job or participating in a favorite sport. Placing undue stress on the vertebrae by lifting improperly or moving in an unnatural way can cause the sensitive discs between the vertebrae to bulge out. This can result in excruciating pain and discomfort. Chiropractic care can be used to relieve the pressure placed on the discs allowing them to gradually begin to heal. Herniated discs can be aggravated by inflammation and continued poor mechanics. By learning to lift and move properly, you will be eliminating undue stress and pressure on the vertebrae and discs. Manual therapy and therapeutic exercises used in addition to a chiropractic adjustment can cause the treatment to be longer lasting and more beneficial.
Remedy # 4: Spinal Manipulation & Chiropractic Adjustments
Lower back pain caused by medical conditions such as sciatica, pancreatic cancer and endometriosis can be effectively treated through the use of spinal manipulation and chiropractic adjustments. Many chiropractors use massage therapy to increase the beneficial effects of a spinal adjustment. When used together, the two treatments reduce inflammation, increase circulation and dramatically reduce muscle tension. This allows the muscles to offer better support to the skeletal structure and helps to hold the bones in their original positions. Massage therapy may be contraindicative for certain conditions, such as various types of cancer, but the manipulations of the bone and muscles of the spine can produce effective relief when the doctor’s orders are followed.
Spinal adjustments and manual manipulation techniques that are used by chiropractors, realign the bone and muscular structures within the body. With the use of various types of exercise and massage therapy, they can retrain the muscles to return to their original positions. An accident or injury can cause muscles to shift. If a bone is moved out of place, the muscle is also forced out of place. With chiropractic care, both muscle and bone are reintroduced to their original placement. Regular treatments help them to remain in place and allow them to become stronger as they continue to heal.
Chiropractic care does not involve the popping and cracking of bones. The treatments used by a chiropractor are simple adjustments that allow the body to return to a state of optimum balance. In some cases, the return is gradual and healing will take time. Each patient will respond differently to various chiropractic treatments. With proper evaluation and care, a chiropractor can help reduce a patient’s back pain and discomfort and allow them to return to a more active lifestyle.
Sources:
- http://charlottechironc.com/chiropractic-care/
- http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/spinal-cord-stimulation-chronic-pain
- http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/spinal-stenosis
- http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/spinemanipulation.htm
Spine Image Source: Charlottechironc.com
Author Bio:
Jennifer Caughey is a content writer who has worked in the healthcare industry for the last 10 years. She has been writing about non-medicinal, specialized and alternative treatments for the last 5 years in hopes of sharing her knowledge-base to contribute to natural healing.
Jennifer has most recently been writing about Chiropractic Care in Charlotte, NC for Proactive Chiropractic and Rehab Center.
