Let’s face it, most of us experience lower back pain at some point. This isn’t surprising considering today’s tech-heavy world, where we often find ourselves stuck in front of a computer for hours on end to earn a paycheck.
In the US, a popular solution to this common issue is chiropractic treatment. Roughly 22 million Americans visit a chiropractor each year, with a whopping 35% (around 7.7 million) seeking relief from back pain. This pain can stem from various causes, including sports injuries, accidents, muscle strains, or even from the daily stress of sitting improperly.
Chiropractors use a combination of spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments. The idea is to properly align the body’s musculoskeletal structure, especially the spine, which should help the body heal itself, without drugs or surgery. This approach can also restore movement to joints that have been restricted due to traumatic events.
Now, you might be wondering: What is chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care falls within the realm of medicine and provides immediate relief from pain in the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues like ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. Professionals may sometimes use it alongside conventional medical treatments.
So, what happens during a chiropractic session targeting low back pain?
Typically, a chiropractor will take your medical history and do a physical exam, possibly combined with lab tests or diagnostic imaging, to figure out if their treatment plan would be effective for your back pain. This plan may include manual adjustments, where the chiropractor manipulatively and suddenly applies controlled force to your spine and joints to improve mobility.
Chiropractors often integrate things like dietary advice and exercise into your treatment plan. Their goals usually aren’t just to provide pain relief, but also to prevent injury and restore functionality.
So, what’s the payoff? Can chiropractic care help with other types of discomfort?
Chiropractic care is a proven, safe way to deal with acute low back pain that crops up suddenly, often due to moving something heavy. It can also ease chronic back pain, which can last for six weeks but usually improves by itself. Studies also suggest it’s effective for treating headaches, neck pain, and even conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis, especially when chiropractors use moderate pressure during deep tissue massage.
But remember, the success of the treatment all depends on accurately diagnosing your specific type of back pain. It’s crucial to inform your chiropractor about your entire medical history, including any common medical conditions, current medications, lifestyle factors, and surgical history.
How many sessions would you need?
Ordinarily, between six and twelve sessions spread across two to four weeks should do the trick for low back pain. Early sessions focus on relieving pain and enhancing functionality. The later ones aim to get you back to leading your normal life with an active or exercise-based approach.
If you find your pain isn’t going away after a reasonable number of sessions, it could be that it’s becoming chronic and lasting more than twelve weeks. In rare cases, further care may be needed, possibly one to four sessions per month.
It’s also key to keep in mind that chiropractors regularly reassess their treatment plans. If they find that the current approach isn’t helping, they won’t continue blindly with it. They’ll evaluate your responses and reactions every two to four weeks to make sure the treatment remains beneficial.
Suffering from chronic low back pain is challenging, but chiropractors often underscore that self-therapy is a critical part of managing the pain. This might involve rehab, upping your exercise routine, or exploring other approaches like yoga, massage therapy, and psychological counseling.
While it’s true everyone’s body is different and will react uniquely to a treatment approach, open communication with your chiropractor is paramount for success. So, if you’re dealing with pain from your joints or spine, consider seeing a chiropractor to determine if their treatment could be the right fit for you.
