Chiropractics is a non surgical and non drug medical profession practice that through spinal manipulations treats disorders of the nervous and musculoskeletal system. Each year millions of people make a visit to a chiropractor for treatment, most often for help with back pain.
Chiropractic care has been shown to be safe and effective for people who suffer from lower back pain. In fact, studies have shown that chiropractic spinal manipulation is one of the very few means that can effectively treat lower back pain.
Nearly 90% of the population at one time or another suffers from lower back pain. It is one of the most common reasons for people miss work. The cause of back pain is often undetectable. When a cause is known however, it is most often in relation to having pinched nerves, injury to the muscle, injury to the nerves of the spine, slipped or ruptured discs or arthritis. A well educated and practiced chiropractor is able to easily determine the root cause of the pain. After determining the cause they are able to make spinal adjustments to alleviate pain and discomfort.
Some people are hesitant to visit a chiropractor, mainly because they don't know what to expect. On a typical first visit, a full patient health history is taken. Patients will also be given a chiropractor exam where the chiropractic Doctor will perform an examination focusing on the spine. Sometimes, but now always, patients will be sent for a spinal x-ray before their first manipulation.
For first time patients chiropractors will almost always take the time to educate them on what chiropractic care is and how it works. They will go over procedures and help patients to feel at ease. This education is especially important for those patients who are apprehensive about chiropractic treatment.
On most first visits chiropractors will give the patient their first chiropractic adjustment or manipulation. The manipulation will be the first of many for those undergoing treatment for back pain. Chiropractic adjustments reduce subluxation. After the adjustment patients should experience increased range of motion and a reduction in nerve pain. Most patients, when adjusted will experience joint cavitations or cracking, but not always. If not, this is often because the patient is tense and unable to relax enough for proper treatment. In such cases, chiropractors during recurrent treatment sessions will treat the patients with stimulation, heat or massage prior to the adjustment.
During the first visit, a treatment plan will also be recommended. With lower back pain, patients will typically need to be adjusted a few times a week, at least in the beginning. Over time, when pain starts to diminish manipulations can slowly become further apart. While most patients seeking chiropractic treatment for lower back pain do report great results, a minority few will not see any benefit. If no improvement is noted within 4-6 weeks it is generally recommended to stop treatment.
Chiropractors will generally also work with patients to prevent further lower back pain and injury. Most patients will be sent home with some rehabilitative exercises to focus on. It is also recommended that people who suffer from lower back pain exercise regularly, that they wear comfortable low heeled shoes, have lower back support in any chairs they sit in, make sure that any work table or desk they use is at a comfortable height, be careful when lifting and to use a limber corset if they lift heavy items for their job or on a regular basis.
Besides help with lower back pain, chiropractics can also help with neck pain, middle and upper back pain and even headaches. Often chiropractors can offer patients additional services besides chiropractic manipulations. Many have additional training and degrees and are able to provide information on diet, weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Many also sell dietary and nutritional supplements that they recommend to their patients.
