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Neck and Back Pain Discomfort

What Does a Chiropractor Do for Lower Back Pain

Neck and back pain is extremely common, and there are various causes. If you have been in a car accident, injured at work, or even a minor slip and fall accident, there is a good chance you will have some discomfort or pain.

If you are not in an emergency, you should get checked out by a chiropractor for back pain or neck discomfort.

At Chiropractic Approach, we deal with neck and back pain all the time. In fact, these are the main reasons people seek care. We can treat the cause of the problem, so you are free of symptoms and function better.

Types of Back Pain

Types of Back Pain

Some people may be asking, what does a chiropractor do for lower back pain? This depends on the type and severity of the injury.

There are various causes and types of chronic back pain. Back pain can occur from an accident, such as a motor vehicle crash, sports injury, or fall.

Discomfort and chronic pain can also be due to sprain and strain caused from overuse or misuse, such as lifting a heavy object incorrectly. Even sleeping on a bad mattress can result in back pain.

The common causes and types of back pain, including chronic low back pain and acute low back pain include:

Certain risk factors increase an individual’s susceptibility to back pain:

  • Obesity
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Older age
  • Genetics
  • Jobs that require frequent heavy lifting
  • Jobs that require long bouts of sitting

Types of Neck Pain

Types of Neck Pain

You may be wondering; can a chiropractor help with neck pain? The answer is often yes.

There are some serious neck issues, such as fractures, cancer or meningitis, that require immediate medical attention. However, chiropractic can help with many other neck pain injuries.

Common causes of neck discomfort and pain include:

Even daily activities, such as looking at your phone, working with poor desk ergonomics, carrying a heavy bag over the shoulder, poor posture and sleeping in a bad position, can cause chronic neck pain.

What Is Chiropractic?

What Is Chiropractic

If you are wondering what does a chiropractor do for lower back pain, it may help to understand what the profession of chiropractic is all about. Chiropractic focuses on healing the body naturally, without the use of drugs or surgery, or at least with a need for less pain medicine for pain treatment.

It does this by finding and correcting the root of the problem, which is often found in the musculoskeletal system.

The bones of the spine run along the length of the back. They protect the spinal cord, which begins at the base of the brain and contains nerve bundles that are responsible for the entire functioning of your body.

The nerves from the cord exit at different levels of the spine. The ones that exit through the cervical (neck) bones control movement and sensation of the upper extremities, while those that exit through the lower back control the lower extremities.

When there are misalignments of the spinal bones due to accidents or injuries, this causes compression of the associated nerves. This results in dysfunction of the nerves, which may result in a variety of symptoms, including tingling, decreased range of motion, muscle tightness and pain.

So, how can a chiropractor help with neck pain and back pain? A chiropractor receives a wealth of training on how to detect the areas of misalignment and adjust, or move, the bones back into their proper position. Through spinal manipulation and other chiropractic treatments, chiropractors work to relieve pain in their patients.

This takes the pressure off of the nerves and restores function, which results in a reduction or elimination of symptoms, including pain.

What to Expect from Chiropractic Treatment for Pain Relief

If you are suffering from pain from an accident or other cause, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. You can expect a number of things from your first visit.

Initial Consultation

The first thing the chiropractor will do is determine if chiropractic care is the right treatment for your situation. The chiropractor will ask you lots of questions regarding your symptoms, lifestyle, work, and daily habits as well as your medical history.

If the chiropractor determines chiropractic would be a good fit, he or she will conduct an exam to see what is causing your symptoms and then provide professional Chiropractic advice.

Spinal and Nerve Exam

The chiropractor will examine the spine and associated nerves, muscles and soft tissues. The exam may include palpation and range of motion tests of the area of complaint as well as neurological tests to determine the function of the nerves.

The chiropractor may also take X-rays of the spine to see specific misalignments and if there is degeneration of the spinal bones.

Adjustment

Chiropractic Adjustment

Based on the results of the exam, the chiropractor will explain what is going on and what the treatment plan will be. An adjustment is often the first treatment, as this relieves the nerve pressure and starts the healing process.

The chiropractor may move the bones using an instrument or manual therapy, and adjustments may occur at multiple levels of the spine.

Other Treatments

Depending on your specific injury, the chiropractor may incorporate additional therapies. This may include cold or hot treatment, muscle stimulation, or relaxation techniques. As the injury begins to heal and stabilize, the chiropractor may work in certain exercises or physical therapy to strengthen the area to prevent future issues.

Chiropractors try to promote a healthy lifestyle by alleviating the patient’s pain without pain relievers through chiropractic adjustments, often resulting in less pain intensity.

Treatment Program

Chiropractic is not a quick fix, as it takes a period of time to treat the cause of the problem, which may have been there a long time.

During the initial visit, the chiropractor will outline a treatment program and estimate the number of visits it will take to heal the injury. In future visits, you will receive adjustments and other therapies aimed at reducing your symptoms and strengthening the injured area.

Schedule a Consultation Today

If you are suffering from pain, you may benefit from seeing a chiropractor for back pain and neck pain. Our chiropractors at Chiropractic Approach understand what it takes to treat the cause of the pain, so it not only goes away, but it also stays away. We accept some insurance plans including workers’ compensation and no-fault insurance.

Contact us today to set up a free consultation to see if it can help you.

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