Spinal adjustments can help relieve pain and improve function in people with all types of back and neck pain.
Chiropractic care is one of the most conservative and safest approaches to back and neck pain - and it can still be extremely effective!
Your body wants to heal itself. Providing appropriate support, adjustment and care can help facilitate that process.
Your body wants to heal itself. Providing appropriate support, adjustment and care can help facilitate that process.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, 31 million Americans are experiencing lower back pain at any given time.
You are not alone!
You are not alone!
New guidelines from the American Medical Association (AMA) suggest that people with lower back pain should see chiropractors first instead of conventional medical doctors, because chiropractors are experts in musculoskeletal conditions.
Finding the exact cause of lower back pain can be challenging, but chiropractors are spinal specialists and are trained extremely well not just to treat your pain but also find and solve the root cause of the problem.
In addition to helping your Back Pain, here are many other benefits to chiropractic care.
Many people report better and deeper sleep after a visit to the chiropractor. Many patients also report improvements in their digestive health, and research has shown that chiropractic care can help build your immune system. Chiropractic care has even been linked to reduced anxiety.
Finding the exact cause of lower back pain can be challenging, but chiropractors are spinal specialists and are trained extremely well not just to treat your pain but also find and solve the root cause of the problem.
In addition to helping your Back Pain, here are many other benefits to chiropractic care.
Many people report better and deeper sleep after a visit to the chiropractor. Many patients also report improvements in their digestive health, and research has shown that chiropractic care can help build your immune system. Chiropractic care has even been linked to reduced anxiety.
What kinds of back pain can you help?
It could be pain in the low back, called the lumbar spine; or in the upper back, called the thoracic spine; or it might be neck (cervical spine) pain.
It could be an injury or it could be chronic. It could be related to a disc problem.
It could involve leg or arm pain or headaches, in addition to back or neck pain.
By restoring the proper biomechanics in the spinal joints, (i.e. adjusting the bones and other tissue so they are in proper alignment and moving the way they should), the nerve pressure and interference in the nervous system is removed-- allowing the area to feel and function the way it is intended to.
By improving joint mobility in a certain area -- the spine, neck, middle back, lower back, and/or pelvis--muscle tightness or irritation of nerves that travel down the arm or leg (causing numbness or tingling or pain) are reduced and the area is more able to heal.
It could be an injury or it could be chronic. It could be related to a disc problem.
It could involve leg or arm pain or headaches, in addition to back or neck pain.
By restoring the proper biomechanics in the spinal joints, (i.e. adjusting the bones and other tissue so they are in proper alignment and moving the way they should), the nerve pressure and interference in the nervous system is removed-- allowing the area to feel and function the way it is intended to.
By improving joint mobility in a certain area -- the spine, neck, middle back, lower back, and/or pelvis--muscle tightness or irritation of nerves that travel down the arm or leg (causing numbness or tingling or pain) are reduced and the area is more able to heal.
When should I see a chiropractor if I have back pain?
The best time to see your chiropractor is immediately after you suffer an injury or within two days of feeling pain that is not associated with a trauma.
If you find that aches are limiting you from sleeping well, sitting or walking, it is recommended that you see your chiropractor as soon as possible.
The earlier you see your chiropractor, the greater chance there is for a full recovery. Sometimes small problems can escalate into big medical challenges that can impact your life significantly.
As with many other things, prevention is key.
Regular visits to a chiropractor can keep your spine in perfect alignment and prevent aches and pains from ever starting. A chiropractor can also teach you exercises and ergonomic techniques that can keep your spine in perfect condition.
If you find that aches are limiting you from sleeping well, sitting or walking, it is recommended that you see your chiropractor as soon as possible.
The earlier you see your chiropractor, the greater chance there is for a full recovery. Sometimes small problems can escalate into big medical challenges that can impact your life significantly.
As with many other things, prevention is key.
Regular visits to a chiropractor can keep your spine in perfect alignment and prevent aches and pains from ever starting. A chiropractor can also teach you exercises and ergonomic techniques that can keep your spine in perfect condition.
I'm seeing a Medical Doctor (MD)--can (or should) I also see a Chiropractor?
Absolutely!
You never need a referral to see a chiropractor. You can always see BOTH your Medical Doctor and a Chiropractor, if you wish.
If you’re already suffering from lower back pain, don’t worry: chiropractors have many options available with which to treat you. We will use a tailored approach with spinal adjustments and chiropractic techniques suited to you and your specific problem(s).
If the care you're currently getting from your Doctor is helping, but not enough--Dr. Heather or another Chiropractor can offer additional treatment that could make a big difference.
If you feel like the care you're currently getting isn't really helping, Chiropractic can approach your diagnoses and treatment from a different perspective and offer new options to facilitate healing.
If you were prescribed pain medication by a medical doctor before seeing your chiropractor, it may still be required to help reduce your pain levels. However, it’s likely you’ll be able to stop taking the medication early as spinal misalignments are corrected, nerve irritation is alleviated and inflammation is reduced.
Chiropractors are primary care providers and can support your recovery from start to finish.
You never need a referral to see a chiropractor. You can always see BOTH your Medical Doctor and a Chiropractor, if you wish.
If you’re already suffering from lower back pain, don’t worry: chiropractors have many options available with which to treat you. We will use a tailored approach with spinal adjustments and chiropractic techniques suited to you and your specific problem(s).
If the care you're currently getting from your Doctor is helping, but not enough--Dr. Heather or another Chiropractor can offer additional treatment that could make a big difference.
If you feel like the care you're currently getting isn't really helping, Chiropractic can approach your diagnoses and treatment from a different perspective and offer new options to facilitate healing.
If you were prescribed pain medication by a medical doctor before seeing your chiropractor, it may still be required to help reduce your pain levels. However, it’s likely you’ll be able to stop taking the medication early as spinal misalignments are corrected, nerve irritation is alleviated and inflammation is reduced.
Chiropractors are primary care providers and can support your recovery from start to finish.
How often would I come in if I have back pain?
A typical course of chiropractic treatment can last two to four weeks, perhaps eight weeks for an acute bout of pain.
Depending on the severity the symptoms, a patient may see a chiropractor 1-3 times a week. For most patients, I’ll recommend at-home exercises that will take about 10 minutes per day- and if you do these, your recovery should be both faster and more complete.
You may be feeling better after the first visit, but chiropractic care is not a quick fix in most cases. Each adjustment builds on the last one. It is re-training your spine and joints to move with proper biomechanics. Each time you get adjusted, your body will hold that adjustment for a certain period of time, and each person is different in how well they hold their adjustments.
It really depends on your problem, your lifestyle, and your compliance with doctor recommendations.
Many patients get to know their bodies and can sense the need for a visit to maintain optimal spinal health. They may feel like something is “off”, unbalanced or tight in their posture and seek out treatment to correct it.
Depending on the severity the symptoms, a patient may see a chiropractor 1-3 times a week. For most patients, I’ll recommend at-home exercises that will take about 10 minutes per day- and if you do these, your recovery should be both faster and more complete.
You may be feeling better after the first visit, but chiropractic care is not a quick fix in most cases. Each adjustment builds on the last one. It is re-training your spine and joints to move with proper biomechanics. Each time you get adjusted, your body will hold that adjustment for a certain period of time, and each person is different in how well they hold their adjustments.
It really depends on your problem, your lifestyle, and your compliance with doctor recommendations.
Many patients get to know their bodies and can sense the need for a visit to maintain optimal spinal health. They may feel like something is “off”, unbalanced or tight in their posture and seek out treatment to correct it.
“After a course of treatment, many patients return periodically for maintenance care to make sure that their spine is functioning optimally, and that they’re doing their exercises or stretches correctly,” says Dr. Hoefen.