Chiropractic care enables the diagnosis and treatment of health problems impacting the bones, joints, muscles, and nerves in the body. Chiropractors are health care professionals who treat approximately 22 million Americans each year using manual adjustment of the spine for neck pain and back pain. According to WebMD, 35% of those patients visit a chiropractor for back pain stemming from accidents, muscle strains, and sports-related injuries.
Back Pain Chiropractor Treatment
Our chiropractors for back pain set goals with patients based on pain reduction, mobility restoration, functionality improvement, and avoidance of chronicity. With a focus on spinal manipulation as the basis for care, the specifics of each patient’s visit will vary based on a number of factors.
- Spinal manipulation therapy, also known as spinal manipulative therapy, is a technique in which the doctor’s hands or a hand-held device apply a controlled thrust to a spinal joint in order to improve functionality, restore the back’s range of motion, and reduce the irritability of nerves. There is sufficient research to support the effectiveness of care from a chiropractor for lower back pain.
- Chiropractic mobilization is a low-velocity manipulation of the spine, including the stretching and movement of joints and muscles. The goal is to increase range of motion.
- Chiropractors for back pain may treat the spine’s structural integrity, reducing pressure on neurological tissue and improving the overall health of the patient.
What to Expect at the First Visit
With a duration of 30-60 minutes, the first visit to a chiropractor for back pain includes several layers of data-gathering.
Consultation
The patient provides a synopsis of symptoms to the chiropractor for lower back pain, including:
- Areas of pain
- Description of the symptoms
- Frequency and duration of symptoms
- Actions that worsen the pain
- Actions that alleviate the pain
Medical History
Our chiropractors ask questions to learn about the patient’s background and medical history, including the following:
- Diet
- Exercise
- Existing health issues
- Family medical history
- History of surgery or trauma
- Lifestyle factors
- Medication
- Nerve problems
- Occupational history
- Physical limitations
- Prior illnesses and injuries
- Psychosocial history
- Sleep habits
- Stress levels
- Use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco
Physical Examination
A chiropractor for back pain will utilize various examination methods to identify the segments of the spine that warrant chiropractic treatment, and the severity of the problem. For instance, if you are suffering from low back pain, the doctor needs to know if it is chronic low back pain or acute low back pain. The results of the examination will inform the need for additional diagnostics, such as:
- X-rays to locate altered vertebra positions
- A temperature variance test to identify areas in the paraspinal region that require manipulation.
What to Expect at Subsequent Visits
Chiropractic treatments usually begin at the second visit, and may include the following:
- Spinal manipulations occur with the patient lying on a specially designed table
- Manual spinal adjustments involve manipulating a joint in the spine to the limit of its range followed by a gentle thrust. This realigns and straightens the bones in the spine.
- The doctor may perform additional treatments, including massage, vertebral traction, and soft tissue therapy.
- The back pain chiropractor may recommend simultaneous measures like exercise, rehabilitation, and nutritional counseling in the patient’s treatment plan.
Effectiveness of Chiropractors for Low Back Pain Treatment
A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics indicated that patients treated by chiropractors for lower back pain showed a higher level of satisfaction and improvement than those treated by family doctors. 56% of chiropractic patients reported that their pain was improved, versus 13% of family doctor patients. Other studies have repeated these results, with the majority of chiropractic patients for acute and chronic issues reporting favorable outcomes in pain management, functional disability, and overall satisfaction after treatment.
A study published in JAMA in 2018 followed the treatment of 750 active-duty military personnel with back pain in which half received typical care consisting of physical therapy, self-care, and medications, and half received the same typical care plus a dozen chiropractic treatments. After six weeks, the following results were reported by those who visited a chiropractor for lower back pain:
- less intensity of pain
- improvement in function
- less disability
- higher satisfaction with treatment
- less need for pain medicine
Schedule a Visit
At Chiropractic Approach, our job is to provide professional medical advice and the appropriate level of care to address the unique story of each and every patient. We understand the value of pain-free movement in living an active life. If you were injured in a car accident, we accept no-fault insurance. If you injured your back at work, our doctors accept workers’ compensation insurance. Our experienced back pain chiropractors and caring staff in both Queens and Brooklyn are committed to providing whole-body healing and acute and chronic pain relief. Contact us at 718-275-1313.
