Lower back pain is a common problem, affecting more than 80% of working individuals during their lifetime. Not only that, it is the second most common cause of work disability and doctor appointments. In monetary terms, back pain treatment accounts for roughly $25 billion in yearly medical expenses in the United States alone.
However, no single treatment can completely cure back pain, leading to various recommendations from doctors. What’s perceived as “standard care” involves a mixture of stretching, exercise, medication, and time.
Among the non-surgical treatments, chiropractic care is highly sought-after and in demand. Utilizing hands-on therapy and spinal manipulation, this treatment helps your body heal without medication or surgery, promoting optimal health.
In this post, let’s discover the comprehensive aspects of chiropractic treatment and when it might be advisable to get lower back pain treatment from a chiropractor.
When to consult a specialist for back pain treatment?
Work, accidents, household chores, sports injuries, and everyday stress can lead to neck pain, joint pain, and lower back pain.
So, if you’re struggling with aching joints or muscle spasms hindering your daily life or preventing you from enjoying your favorite activities, it’s time to seek assistance.
Some common signs include:
- Experiencing a restricted range of motion.
- Dealing with traumatic physical injury or prolonged periods of sitting.
- Experiencing acute pain arising from hard tissues.
- Poor posture
- Suffering from a compressed nerve.
- Other treatments were ineffective.
Which conditions do chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors treat a broad range of conditions that can potentially cause back pain, including:
- Lumbar spondylosis
- Sciatica
- Piriformis syndrome
- Back strain or sprain
- Disc herniation
- Abdominal muscles strain
- Scoliosis
- Facet joint dysfunction
- Degenerative disc disease
How does a chiropractor give lower back pain treatment?
Chiropractors are not medical doctors but practitioners. They use a broad range of techniques to cure back pain, with treatments customized to individual needs based on numerous factors.
Generally, chiropractic treatment involves a series of spinal canal adjustment sessions, spanning six to ten visits for an average adult.
The core of chiropractic care involves physical therapy, which includes:
Spinal mobilization
This technique is used to treat lumbar spine pain, providing gentler chiropractic care that includes joint and muscle stretching. The reasons to opt for the spinal mobilization approach are:
Treating patients with a sensitive nervous system
The spinal mobilization approach may benefit this group by preventing reactive muscle strains.
Patient preferences
Some individuals prefer spinal mobilization for back pain relief over forceful spinal manipulation.
Chiropractor’s choice
The practitioner may choose a gentler approach, especially for patients in the acute stage of their condition or those experiencing chronic pain.
Spinal manipulation
Some degree of spinal manipulation is included in almost all chiropractic treatments. It is known as a chiropractic adjustment. The reason behind this is that a well-aligned spine can improve overall bodily function, promoting better performance in:
- Muscles
- Joints
- Vertebrae
- Organs
Chiropractors achieve spinal alignment through manual manipulation, which includes applying force in short bursts for proper positioning of joints. The goal of all chiropractic treatments is to restore joint function by reducing severe pain and discomfort and addressing any inflammation issues.
What is the impact of chiropractic treatments?
Chiropractic care is a non-surgical procedure that focuses on diagnosing and treating nervous system and musculoskeletal disorders. Generally, the focus of this treatment is on spinal manipulation and the treatment of surrounding structures, enabling the body to heal itself without surgery or medication.
Reduce lower back pain
The spinal manipulation and mobilization sessions are designed to rectify misalignments that may have caused back pain. This lower back pain treatment targets both broken bones and soft tissues to relieve pain. During spinal manipulation, practitioners apply controlled thrusts to the spine’s joints, either with hands or a device. This technique aims to relieve patients from acute and chronic back pain.
Recover the lost range of motion
Professionals choose the spinal manipulation approach to address misalignment in the spine, diminishing pain signals and enhancing its overall functionality.
Enhance the movement quality
Lower back pain can make it difficult for the spine to allow for free body movement. However, chiropractic pain treatment in Sun Prairie can effectively treat this condition and improve the overall quality of spinal movement. Spinal mobilization involves gentle manipulation, movement, and muscle stretching, aiming to increase the range of motion in joints and muscles.
Relieve a compressed/pinched nerve
The misalignment of the spinous structure may result in a pinched nerve. Chiropractic sessions play a vital role in addressing compressed nerves. After diagnosing the issue, practitioners use adjustments to target the affected area and reduce the increased pressure on the spinal cord nerves.
Reduce muscle tension
Practitioners use chiropractic care to ease muscle spasms by positioning the spine around the affected tissues. When the spine is properly positioned, the targeted tissues start healing.
How long do chiropractic adjustments last?
There is no specific or straightforward answer to how long chiropractic adjustments last. The duration of the effects of the treatment is unique to each person, depending on factors like the patient’s age and fitness, type of injury, level of pain, and length of pain. Some patients experience fast relief, while others may require multiple chiropractic sessions for prolonged effects.
For this back injury treatment to work, take sessions consistently. Usually, the treatment includes three sessions per week or two to four weeks. Then, once you start feeling better, the practitioner may recommend self-care and other light exercises at home to optimize blood flow.
Moreover, if you want to go through all three phases of chiropractic treatment—pain relief, stabilization, and rehabilitation—you may require 20-24 adjustments. They are generally completed over 10-14 weeks, depending on the severity of the pain.
Conclusion
If you have persisting severe lower back pain despite trying pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and other treatments, seek a reliable chiropractic expert in Sun Prairie. Even if heat or physical therapy has been ineffective, chiropractic sessions may help. The best part of this treatment is its tailored approach, which includes comprehensive treatment for your back pain without using prescription pain relievers.
The chiropractic techniques used during the session rely on an accurate back pain diagnosis. So, make sure you have discussed your medical history, including existing conditions, surgeries, current medications, or any traumatic injuries, with your chiropractor or physical therapist.