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How Chiropractors Treat Back Pain

Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability around the world, and it is also one of the most frequently cited reasons for seeing a doctor and for being absent from school or work.

Patients with back pain could notice shooting pain that radiates down their legs, and pain may worsen with lifting, bending, or walking. Lying down or reclining typically reduces this type of pain.

Chiropractors are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in the treatment of spinal and musculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractors receive training in more than one hundred different chiropractic techniques they can use to alleviate pain and restore postural alignment. The techniques described below are often used by chiropractors in the treatment of back pain.

Spinal Manipulation and Alignment

Spinal manipulation and alignment involve specialized techniques performed to relieve pressure on joints, restore nerve function, and reduce inflammation. Using spinal manipulation, practitioners can realign displaced bones, reduce pain, and improve the patient’s symptom management. Studies suggest spinal manipulation is especially effective for acute back pain that has persisted for less than four weeks. Patients should ask their practitioner about the risks and benefits of spinal manipulation for their specific health concern.

Exercise Rehabilitation

Exercise rehabilitation includes a series of prescribed stretches and other exercises performed under supervision during a chiropractic treatment session. Patients are taught exercises to improve flexibility, strengthen core muscles, and restore range of motion. Some chiropractic offices have technological equipment that can be used to increase the benefits of an exercise rehabilitation session. Patients are given additional exercises to practice in between their appointments. Depending on the severity of back pain, exercise rehabilitation may be needed for several months. Patients are encouraged to combine their exercise rehabilitation work with aerobic exercises such as brisk walking.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are areas of skeletal muscle that produce discomfort when they are compressed. Also known as neuromuscular therapy and myofascial trigger point therapy, trigger point therapy detects and releases these painful areas. After performing an exam to identify muscle tenderness, chiropractors can release these points through the use of finger pressure. The chiropractor will apply pressure for a few seconds with their finger and thumb. Once the muscle relaxes, they will massage the area. The finger pressure method is the least invasive method of trigger point therapy, and it is often the first choice for treatment. Employ laser acupuncture.

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