In the last 2 weeks, has back pain prevented you from completing your daily activities? Has it made sitting, standing, or falling asleep harder?
If so, it’s time to take action against back pain. With the right medical care, you can live your life free of back pain.
How? By visiting a chiropractor ballina!
A chiropractor is a licensed medical professional that specializes in the spine, back, and neck. So whether you have had chronic back pain for years or experienced an acute back injury, consider seeking care from a chiropractor.
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What Is a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a medical professional that specializes in the neuromuscular system. The neuromuscular system is made up of your bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Chiropractors treat different types of pain, injuries, and other conditions affecting the neck and spine.
People seek care from a chiropractor for a number of reasons including back pain. If you tell your primary care doctor, “I have back pain”, they may refer you to a qualified chiropractor in your area. Chiropractic care may be an alternative to opioids or other pain management medication or treatment.
If you are ready to make an appointment with a chiropractor, contact Unify Chiropractic today.
How Does a Chiropractor Treat Back Pain?
During your first chiropractic care visit, the chiropractor will likely ask you a number of questions about your back pain such as the intensity, frequency, and location of the pain. They may conduct manual tests or request an x-ray or MRI to rule out other conditions.
After that, the chiropractor will review a treatment plan with you. Treatment plans vary in length from a few sessions to ongoing visits depending on the specifics of the back pain.
Chiropractors use 4 main types of treatment – manual therapy, spinal manipulation, therapy instruments, and therapy exercises. Depending on your symptoms, your chiropractor may use one or more of these strategies to alleviate back pain. Keep reading to learn more about back pain and chiropractic care.
Manual Therapy
Tight muscles or misaligned tissue in the body can cause back pain. A chiropractor may use massage techniques to reduce tension and promote relaxation in the muscles and muscle tissue. Manual therapy is useful for both localized back pain and widespread back pain.
Other forms of manual therapy include joint stretching, resistance techniques, and trigger point therapy. These therapies are used to identify pain points and reduce tension.
Spinal Manipulation
Spinal manipulation can also be done manually. The goal of spinal manipulation is to improve the range of motion, flexibility, and functionality of the back.
When your spine is not aligned properly, the nerves surrounding the spine can cause pain in the lower back, radiating up the spine and neck. Spinal manipulation therapy involves training the vertebra in the back to align correctly which alleviates pressure and pain.
During spinal manipulation therapy, a chiropractor will apply pressure to different areas of the body to align the spine. You may hear cracking or popping – but do not be alarmed! The noises come from gasses being released from the joints. Spinal manipulation can be uncomfortable the first few times but can be an effective long-term solution to back pain caused by misaligned joints.
A spinal or back adjustment is another type of therapy using pressure. The chiropractor will apply force to a misaligned area quickly to put it back in place. Chiropractors often use a “drop table” for adjustments. The table lowers when pressure is applied to make the process more comfortable for the patient.
Therapy Instruments
Swelling, also known as inflammation, can cause back pain. Chiropractors have a few therapy instruments they can use to reduce inflammation including electrical stimulation and ultrasound.
Electrical stimulation uses an electrical current to stimulate muscles. During this process, blood flow to the area increases to promote healing. A chiropractor may use electrical stimulation for back soreness, swelling, or an injury. Electrical stimulation is not painful.
An ultrasound is an instrument that emits sound waves into muscle tissue. A chiropractor may use an ultrasound machine to stop muscle spasms, reduce inflammation, and get rid of back pain and stiffness. Ultrasound therapy can be used on its own or as part of a larger treatment plan.
Therapy Exercises
If you’ve ever visited a physical therapist you know that specific exercises can help strengthen muscles and reduce pain. Chiropractors specialize in physical therapy exercises for the back, spine, and neck.
Therapy exercises promote muscle memory and muscle growth which can improve back pain symptoms. A chiropractor may ask you to complete a series of exercises regularly to improve back pain symptoms. They may also suggest posture-correcting exercises because poor posture is a major culprit for back pain.
For example, a chiropractor may recommend core strengthening exercises because a strong core can reduce pressure on the lower back. A chiropractor may also suggest lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet and regular cardio and strength exercise. Improving overall health can also help improve symptoms of back pain.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
People choose chiropractic care for a number of reasons – it’s safe, effective, and affordable (with health insurance). Chiropractic care is a natural alternative to using potentially dangerous pain management medication. It’s a long-term solution rather than a quick fix.
Chiropractic care can help with symptoms of arthritis, headaches and migraines, as well as chronic back pain. Chiropractors treat millions of Americans every year, helping them live healthier, more comfortable lives.
Have Back Pain? Act Now!
Back pain is not an inevitable part of getting older. Nor is it a normal side effect of exercise or athletics. If you have back pain, talk to a chiropractor today.
Using manual therapy, spinal adjustments, therapy tools, and therapy exercise a chiropractor can help you reduce pain, increase movement, and get back to a back pain-free life.
Find more health tips and news when you check out the other articles on the blog!
