Chiropractic adjustments can ease lower back pain. Depending on the cause of your lower back pain, you may need several sessions. Chiropractic is a therapy system that focuses on the structure of the body, in particular the spine. Chiropractors manipulate body alignment to alleviate pain, improve function, and help the body heal on its own.
Almost everyone suffers from back pain at some point. One treatment option is chiropractic care, which often includes spinal manipulation (also called manual manipulation), exercise advice, and personal care recommendations. Research shows that manipulating the spine can help alleviate pain and improve functioning for people with acute low back pain, one of the most common types of back pain. Duke's spine health program offers chiropractic care and other conservative treatments for back pain as part of its comprehensive approach to helping you feel better faster. Chiropractic care can absolutely help you manage pain without medication or surgery.
Many people who want pain relief without taking addictive drugs or undergoing invasive surgery choose chiropractic care as an alternative. A chiropractor is a doctor who can treat many conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, especially back and neck pain. Research suggests that chiropractic care may help improve low back pain in some people. If you have a chronic joint-related pain condition, such as neck pain or back pain, chiropractic care can be especially effective. One of the most common techniques chiropractors use for joint pain is spinal manipulation, also known as adjustment.
During an adjustment, the chiropractor uses their hands to apply controlled force to a specific joint, usually in the spine. Coffey explains that this biomechanical approach to chronic pain aims to restore proper alignment and increase the joint's range of motion, which can decrease related muscle spasms, as well as the inflammatory response, thereby alleviating the pain. You may hear popping or crackling sounds when your chiropractor moves joints during the treatment session. So, what exactly does chiropractic treatment for chronic pain look like? Well, it may vary depending on the individual, but there are some common techniques that chiropractors use.
Chiropractors also often work with injuries to other parts of the body (knee injuries, shoulder injuries, the like), but I focus primarily on the spine. The best chiropractors know that to truly help their patients find relief, they must also address lifestyle factors. Chiropractors use practical manipulations to realign joints and alleviate discomfort caused by a wide range of causes. The chiropractor will apply a controlled amount of force (pressure) to the joints, resulting in a crunch or popping sound when gas exits the joints. You'll lie face down on a chiropractic table, allowing certain parts of the body (divided into segments) to lift slightly higher than the rest, helping the chiropractor to apply pressure to a specific area.
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques, including spinal manipulation, to restore proper functioning of the nervous system and promote healing. This feeling usually goes away within 24 hours and rarely affects people who visit a chiropractor regularly. Based on the results of the exam and tests, if chiropractic treatment is determined to be a good solution for you, your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan that is uniquely tailored to your needs. During a chiropractic adjustment, your chiropractor will offer you a unique treatment to meet your needs.
After the consultation, the chiropractor may recommend that you do “homework” to extend therapy after a adjustment. Your chiropractor will encourage you to learn about new ways to position your body on your desk, when you're standing and moving, and when you're in bed. By using the hands to apply controlled force to a joint, the chiropractor pushes the joint beyond its usual range of motion.
