Can Chiropractors Provide Long-term Relief for Lower Back Pain?

If you experience chronic pain, you are not alone. Studies suggest that more than 80% of people suffer from back pain at some point in their life. Most require treatment for back pain, but some feel better after rest and other home remedies.

For people who experience chronic or long-term pain, regular visits to the doctor can become a way of life. For many, alternative treatment options can help.
 

Chiropractic Care for Lower Back Pain

As the need for natural treatment options continues to grow, people are increasingly choosing chiropractic care for pain relief. Research shows chiropractic adjustments provide quick and effective results for people with lower back pain. Chiropractors use hands-on techniques to relieve pain and pressure.
 

Spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments involve using quick thrusts to apply pressure to the joints. It helps to improve spinal function. Chiropractic care can prevent the need for surgery and reduce reliance on painkillers.
 

Chiropractic Adjustment for Pain Relief

During your appointment, the chiropractor will ask about your medical history. He or she will assess your symptoms and examine your spine. The exam may include imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT, or MRI, to examine the bones and joints.
 

Understanding the underlying cause of the back pain will help create an effective treatment plan. During the adjustment, you will lie face down on a table as the chiropractor focuses on different spine areas. Applying quick, controlled pressure helps to realign the spine.
 

After Chiropractic Adjustments

When done properly, spinal manipulation should not be painful. You might experience some mild soreness after treatment, but this should only last a day.
 

Some people experience a slight headache or tiredness, but the symptoms do not last long. You can use an ice or heat pack to relieve soreness. Performing stretches will help to keep the joints flexible.
 

Benefits of Visiting a Chiropractor

Getting regular chiropractic adjustments can help to improve overall physical health. Benefits of the care include:
 

• Chiropractic adjustments are safe and effective. They can provide long-term relief from lower back pain.
   

• Visiting a chiropractor can reduce the need for invasive treatment such as surgery and medication use.
   

• The treatment can help to improve spinal function and keep the joints flexible.
   

• Chiropractic adjustments can help to treat multiple conditions. Some of these include back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches, and whiplash.
   

• There is a very low risk of complications. Visiting a trained and licensed chiropractor will help to ensure safety.
   

The number of treatments required will depend on the severity of the pain, the underlying cause, and the patient’s overall health. Sciatica can often be treated in four visits. The chiropractor will often recommend at-home exercises to prevent the recurrence of symptoms.
 

When to Avoid Chiropractic Adjustments

While chiropractic adjustments can be effective for treating lower back pain, they are not for everyone. People with tingling, weakness, or numbness in a limb should not get adjustments. The treatment is not recommended for people with osteoporosis, cancer in the spine, and a problem with the neck bones.
 

Those with an increased risk for stroke may not be good candidates for adjustments. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before visiting a chiropractor. Most people who visit a chiropractor report experiencing less pain and more improvement in function.
 

For more on whether chiropractors provide long-term relief for lower back pain, visit Mustain Family Health. Our office is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Call (405) 751-0848 to book an appointment today.

 

https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/chiropractic-pain-relief

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/should-you-see-a-chiropractor-for-low-back-pain-2019073017412