Lower back pain is something that so many people suffer from. In fact, around 50% of working Americans suffer from symptoms from back pain each year.
Despite half of all working adults suffering from back pain, only about 13% visited a chiropractor.
This begs the question, why? The most likely reason is that many people don’t fully understand what a chiropractor is and what they can do to help.
What is a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a well trained medical professional who deals with neuromuscular disorders.
Neuromuscular disorders are ones that affect muscles and the nervous systems. Chiropractic care for these disorders is typically done by manual manipulation of the spine to ease upper and lower back pain.
It is very safe (especially compared to back surgery and many common medications) and can drastically improve the quality of life for someone suffering from chronic back pain. Even if you only have mild symptoms now, they tend to get worse over time so speaking to a professional can save you from a world of hurt down the road.
There are over 70k chiropractors in the United States, so there is likely one reasonably near that you can visit.
Three Ways Chiropractors Can Help You with Lower Back Pain:
There are many ways a chiropractor can help you with lower back pain.
Lower back pain is one of the most prominent forms of back pain and it actually costs Americans over $100 billion a year when insurance, lost wages and decreased productivity are factored in. That is why it is important to get treatment as early as possible.
But how do chiropractors actually help you with your lower back pain?
Here are three common ways:
Manual spinal manipulation:
Manual spinal manipulation, commonly known as a chiropractic adjustment, is probably the most often used form of treatment.
The chiropractor applies quick, directed pressure to the spine to realign your abnormal vertebrae. These push motions are not painful, as it might sound like in all the YouTube videos. In fact, many people find them relaxing.
By realigning these vertebrae as much as possible you can regain range of motion, reduce the irritation and pain caused by misplaced nerves, and relax your back muscles greatly.
Mobilization:
Not all treatment is so intense. Sometimes it is as simple as learning how to stretch and move properly.
Now, I am sure you know how to stretch, but your chiropractor will give you personalized stretches to help soothe your sore muscles and release any tightness you might have. This is an ongoing form of treatment – one you will be expected to continue at home daily or weekly.
It may take a while to start seeing noticeable differences, but over time you will start to notice tangible improvements and begin feeling much better.
Soft tissue therapy:
Another common form of therapy your chiropractor may employ is soft tissue therapy.
It can be done by the chiropractor either with their hands or sometimes with a small mechanical device.
Your soft tissue structures are gently worked to improve blood flow, clear away damaged cells and stimulate the flow of oxygen to the muscles. This form of therapy is perfect for muscle recovery after an injury and can be used to ease inflammation and reduce the chance of further injury.
If you are looking for a gentle therapy to ease pain and improve range of motion, this may be the one for you.
Conclusion:
If you were on the fence about seeking help from a chiropractor for lower back pain – or any back pain for that matter – we hope this article will help you make your decision.
It really can help improve your quality of life, even from one short visit. Your back needs to last you your whole life because you don’t get a second one. So it is best to take care of it as well as you can and a licensed medical professional like a chiropractor may be just the partner you need.
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