If you are having pain in your back you might want to consider consulting a chiropractor to look into the problem further. An estimated 40 percent of patients who visit a chiropractor do so for lower back pain. Chiropractic services offer a drug free, non-surgical method for treating back pain. Add to this the fact that it is also gentle and generally very effective. The main principle that underlies the alternative therapy is that the proper motion of the spine contributes to overall health and well-being. The emphasis of the practice is spinal manipulation. In other words, adjusting the spine so it can aid in proper alignment, body balance and good posture.
In order to figure out what could be causing your back problems, a chiropractor will look at your spine from top to bottom. While you may have localized pain, such as pain just in the lower portion of your back, other parts of your back could be affected and/or could provide clues to the cause of the problem. He will begin by looking at your neck (also known as your cervical spine) and then move down to your mid-back (thoracic spine) and finally end at your lumbar spine, which is your lower back region. The chiropractor will be on the lookout for areas where your joints do not move as nature intended. He will also be watching for any signs of injury to the discs or ligaments and any spasms in the muscles. He will also want to observe you as stand in place and as you walk.
Spinal manipulation should only be carried out by a trained professional. A physical examination should be conducted first to rule out contraindications. A neurological examination should be conducted to ensure that the patient does not have nerve root damage. Contraindications involve bone conditions (e.g., tumors, infection, and osteoporosis), nerve conditions, (e.g., spinal cord compression), blood vessels disorders (e.g., aortic aneurysm and severe clotting disorders), and hypermobility (e.g., lax ligament syndrome).
Practitioners of spinal manipulation apply a controlled force or pressure to a spinal joint to move the joint beyond its usual range of motion. The force may be applied manually or with the use of a device. The amount of force applied depends on the type of manipulation being employed. The joint is not forced to move beyond the range of motion it is capable of anatomically. The manipulation of a joint stretches the joint capsule and causes a negative pressure. This results in the release of gas into the joint space, which causes a popping sound.
The effectiveness of spinal manipulation in relieving back pain is a controversial subject. The treatment seems to help some people with low lack pain not associated with a referred pain pattern. However, spinal manipulation does not help all individuals with back pain. Spinal manipulation is most likely to have a beneficial effect on acute and recurrent lower back pain if administered within the first 6 weeks of onset. Within this time frame, spinal manipulation appears to improve pain and increase mobility. There is no conclusive evidence showing that spinal manipulation is effective in treating chronic lower back pain. Spinal manipulation has also not been found to be effective in the treatment of nerve root conditions.
Although there are pros and cons to the treatment, many people still turn to chiropractic services when they are suffering from back pain. It is a natural form of therapy that can be effective for a multitude of back conditions.
