Chiropractic for Lower Back Pain
The first time I saw a chiropractor, it was for chronic lower back pain. Like many people, I spend most of my day in a chair behind a desk. My posture was terrible and my lower back was constantly compressed, leading to chronic aches and pains. My chiropractor found the problem, did a little massage and an adjustment, and my lower back pain was gone. I now see my chiropractor every two weeks for preventative care, to keep me (and my back) feeling good in my office chair.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, 31 million Americans are experiencing lower back pain at any given time. 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.
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’re already suffering from lower back pain, don’t worry: chiropractors have many options available with which to treat you. Many use a combination of massage and spinal adjustments, but they may also use hot or cold compresses, physical therapy modalities like interferential therapy or Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and spinal decompression therapy. The Joint, for example, gets right into finding and fixing subluxations only, a practice that allows it's customers convenient and affordable chiropractic care.
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 compression is alleviated and inflammation is reduced.
There 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.
If you've never visited a chiropractor before, make an appointment next time you experience lower back pain, or even better, before - you may be pleasantly surprised with the results.