Should You See a Chiropractor for Back Pain?
A chiropractor will need to know your medical history, current medications, and an accurate description of your pain. He will perform a physical exam and may order lab tests or imaging to evaluate your problem and provide the correct treatment.
Besides spinal manipulation, the chiropractor may also do nutritional counseling or suggest helpful exercises to build strength and improve flexibility.
The types of back problems which respond best to chiropractic treatment include acute pain (the sudden type that accompanies a muscle strain), arthritis, and fibromyalgia. It is less effective for ongoing chronic back pain, but may provide some relief.
It is important to help your care providers by keeping them well-informed. Let your primary care doctor know about any alternative treatments, including chiropractic care. If chiropractic treatments cause more pain than relief, let the chiropractor know. Don’t just suffer in silence.
Besides pain relief, your chiropractor’s goals include injury prevention and restoration of normal function.
Chiropractic visits are not a substitute for common sense preventive care. You can minimize back pain by making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of back pain.
Some of these changes include quitting smoking, losing weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising to develop strength and flexibility. You may find it helpful to keep a pain diary to track how stress and physical activity affect your back pain.
Reducing stress, proper lifting techniques, and good posture can also reduce your risk of back pain. For women, wearing low-heeled shoes can make a big difference in back pain.
Before exercising, be sure to warm up with stretching exercises. When lifting, try not to lift more than 25% of your body weight, and never twist while lifting.
Chiropractic treatment can be an effective option for relief from back pain.
