A Chiropractor Answers Commonly Asked Questions About Chronic Back Pain
A chiropractor is a practitioner who helps their patients with pain and joint misalignments. Chronic back pain can make people feel frustrated, discouraged, and unproductive. You might find yourself asking about the cause of such pain and what solutions are available.
FAQs about chronic back pain as answered by a chiropractor
Here are some of the most common questions patients often ask regarding chronic back pain and chiropractic care, as explained by a chiropractor.
What causes chronic back discomfort?
Chronic back pain is often linked to changes in the vertebrae and vertebral discs as people become older. Bulging discs do not just cause joint strain and arthritis in the spine, but they may also compress surrounding nerves. Changes in spinal alignment may lead to more discomfort over time. Another cause of persistent back pain is overuse injuries caused by continuous bending, twisting, or stooping.
How is acute back pain different from chronic back pain?
Many traumas, including car accidents, sports injuries, and workplace hazards, can cause severe back pain. Patients may feel pain and joint stiffness, as well as a herniated disc that pushes on nerve tissue if their spinal column is abruptly pushed out of alignment due to a bump, jolt, or other stressors. Injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments are other causes of acute pain.
Can back pain occur long after the causative event?
Severe back pain may not immediately occur in the shock that follows a traumatic event. Therefore, it is a good idea for patients to visit a chiropractor to examine their spine after an injury, even if they are not in pain.
Does back pain always need medication or surgery?
Many people who suffer from back pain fear that they will have to take pain medications all of the time or go through back surgery to get relief. However, most types of back pain may be treated or managed without resorting to such drastic measures. Back discomfort may be treated with conservative methods like spinal adjustments at a chiropractor's office.
How does a chiropractor treat chronic back pain with spinal adjustments?
The chiropractor can do a thorough spinal exam to determine the cause or origins of the patient's discomfort. When required, they will recommend imaging tests such as x-rays or MRI. The results of the examination will determine the treatment approach. Chiropractic adjustments may put the joint components back into alignment, reducing pain and stiffness if a spinal misalignment is a problem. The treatment options are generally non-invasive with less risk of side effects.
What additional back pain therapies are available?
The chiropractor can design a pain management and rehabilitation program tailored to a patient's particular back issue. Massage therapy may be recommended in conjunction with chiropractic care to heal injured back muscles or other soft tissues, resulting in natural pain relief and alleviating inflammation. They may also design a remedial workout regimen to improve your back's strength and flexibility. Weight loss may also help to prevent extra pounds from putting strain on the back.
What can one do to reduce back pain?
There are several basic steps to reduce or avoid back discomfort. These include weight loss for the obese, lifting items with the right form, improving posture, and making ergonomic adjustments to one's desk. For smokers, quitting smoking may help alleviate back pain by increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the spine. Stretching and strengthening exercises are part of every chiropractic back pain treatment, and the health team will typically show patients how to do them.
Will back pain improve on its own?
Resting the muscles might help alleviate back discomfort in certain circumstances. Chiropractic care can help if the back pain keeps coming back or does not improve. When patients visit for a consultation, the chiropractor will determine the cause of the issue and recommend proper treatment.
When should patients contact their primary care physician?
Patients should visit their primary care doctors if they experience back pain and any of the following symptoms: persistent pain despite rest, numbness, tingling, a fever, weakened leg muscles, and urinary incontinence. Also, it is advisable to consult the doctor if the back discomfort becomes more frequent or more severe.
How often would chiropractic visits be needed?
Patient visits could be as often as twice weekly initially. The patient may need to visit every day at first if the pain is severe. The more the patient improves, the fewer visits they would need. The chiropractor will also recommend exercises and activities to do at home.
Ready to schedule an appointment?
Our chiropractor can provide answers to questions you might have about chronic back problems. To schedule an appointment for back pain treatment, contact us today.
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