If you’ve ever been to a chiropractor you probably don’t know what a visit would be like. You may not even know exactly what a chiropractor does or the tactics they use. The fact is that, whether your back pain is nonspecific, the result of pregnancy, some sort of strain, or an injury, a doctor of chiropractic can probably help you. This article will explain it all as we focus on the question: what does chiropractic treatment for back pain involve?
What is a Chiropractor?
A doctor of chiropractic, also known as a chiropractor or a chiropractic physician, is a trained healthcare professional specializing in spinal manipulation and mobilization. Chiropractors use varying non-surgical techniques to bring the spinal column into alignment, which can help relieve pain, prevent chronic back issues, and eliminate headaches. But back pain isn’t the only thing chiropractors have been known to help heal. They can also help with:
Migraines
Weak Immune Systems
Fibromyalgia
Anxiety and Stress
Flexibility
Weight Loss
Sports Injuries
Sciatica
Some of the techniques chiropractors use include:
Hot and Cold Therapy
Massage Therapy
Electric Stimulation
Posture Correction
Nutrition and Supplementation Advice
Relaxation Techniques
Traction
What Happens When You Visit a Chiropractor?
Just like any other doctor, a chiropractor will need to assess your back pain to determine the best course of action. This is usually done in three steps: Consultation, history and then the physical exam itself.
Consultation
This step is important to get a feel for what kind of pain the patient is dealing with. The answers and questions will vary from person to person, depending on the type and location of the pain. Typically the chiropractor will ask questions regarding:
The Location and Intensity of the Pain
Location would include low back, upper back, mid-back, etc. They’ll ask if you’re experiencing pain in more than one area.
Intensity would include if it’s a throbbing, burning, pinching, or stabbing pain.
Duration of the Pain
Duration would include how long you’ve been in pain and whether it has gone away and come back. If it’s recurring, then how long it has been happening.
Ease and Exacerbation
Your chiropractor will ask if any position (sitting, lying down, standing, etc.) eases the pain.
On the same token, if any position makes the pain worse.
History
Your history is important for the doctor of chiropractic to determine the possible cause of the pain as well as how to appropriately treat it. A few questions of this nature include:
Work history (physically demanding job or if you sit at a desk much of the day).
Family medical history.
Previous back pain or surgery instances.
Dietary and nutrition habits.
Exercise habits.
Physical Exam
Once the chiropractor gets the answers to the questions above, he or she can better assess how to move forward with the treatment. As we referenced above, there are several different treatment options that vary depending on the problem and the individual.
Sometimes chiropractors use x-rays to determine what is causing the pain. Other times a simple physical examination of the pained area does the trick.
What Happens Next?
After the consultation, interview, and physical exam, the chiropractor should be able to diagnose what’s causing the pain. It can be a variety of things, not all of which can or should be taken care of by a chiropractor.
If your doctor of chiropractic determines that the issue is caused by something another doctor would best handle, he or she will tell you so. The chiropractor may even recommend a specialist for you.
It’s all about determining what is best for you, the patient, before moving ahead with any sort of chiropractic care. However, most back pain isn’t serious and can be handled by a chiropractor.
Most back pain that chiropractors work on is caused by what’s called a subluxation. This is a broad term chiropractors use to describe when your joints, discs, bones, tendons, muscles, or nerves are out of their normal alignment and causing pain.
If this is the case, you will either begin an adjustment during your visit, or you’ll be scheduled to return for an adjustment.
What Happens During an Adjustment?
An adjustment is often called spinal manipulation, manual manipulation, or chiropractic manipulation. The goal is to treat the subluxation, reduce pain, and improve function and maneuverability. A few other benefits that you can experience from an adjustment include:
Toxins released from the body.
Proper nerve and muscle function.
Proper water and nutrient transmission.
Reduced stress and increased wellbeing.
Some adjustments are done by the chiropractor, with his or her hands manipulating your back to get the misaligned areas back to their proper places. Other adjustments may be done with a specially designed machine that can gently lengthen your spine, which can relieve pinched nerves and discs. The type of adjustment you receive depends on the specific issues you as the patient are facing.
How Many Times Do You Have to Visit a Chiropractor?
Once again, the answer to this question depends on the type, severity, and cause of the pain you’re experiencing. Some people find that one visit helps them tremendously. Others go back on a regular basis as the issue slowly goes away. Still other people get regular back adjustments because it’s a great way to prevent future back problems and to combat poor posture or other everyday wear-and-tear. Some people even incorporate chiropractor visits into their self-care routine because it can be a great stress reliever.
The majority of people who visit a chiropractor experience significant relief in one to four weeks. When you consider that back surgery, from start to finish, usually takes three to four months for recovery, you begin to see why many people prefer the chiropractor.
About the Author
Dr. Brent Wells founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab and has been a top-rated chiropractor in Alaska in 1998. He is currently leading 10,000 Alaskans to more active and pain-free lifestyles without drugs or invasive surgeries. He brings a progressive and highly innovative approach to chiropractic care. Dr. Wells continues to further his education with ongoing studies in spine conditions, neurology, physical rehabilitation, biomechanics, occupational ergonomics, whiplash, and brain injury traumatology. He is also a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians.
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