Lower back pain is not something you want to have. It can literally stop you from performing your normal everyday activities. Yet, it is one of the most common conditions known. How you treat this condition will determine what the future will hold for you.
First, let’s understand something. Our normal posture is one of the main causes of lower back pain. From an anatomical perspective the spine is at risk because of our upright posture. Now, I am not saying we should be crawling on all fours, however, the spine in an upright position puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the lower parts of the spine. Interesting, the most common back pain is as the absolute lowest area of the spine for just that reason.
There are a number of different treatment options available… First, you have to determine what are your goals with treatment. Are you wanting to reduce or get rid of the pain, OR are you wanting to correct the condition as best as is possible? That’s the first choice you must make.
Options for Pain Relief
Lets start with pain relief only… Over the counter medications have been used to help reduce the pain associated with lower back conditions. Of course, over the counter meds will typical only be partially effective and only in very minor cases. For pain that is more significant a patient may decide to visit their medical doctor for a stronger medication. These can range from muscle relaxants to anti-inflammatories to pain medication. Anti-inflammatory medication is used to reduce swelling that is typical around the nerves of the lower back with the hopes that it will reduce the pressure on the nerves, and therefore the pain. Sometimes, the medical doctor will decide to use an injection at the site instead. Pain medication is self explanatory, except to understand that it does nothing to correct the cause of the pain.
A second choice of treatment could be the use of physical therapy modalities. These can range from use of ice to reduce swelling, to various electrical machines which help reduce muscle spasm and can help rehab the affected muscles. Stretching is also utilized and can be effective in certain types of cases.
And finally, there is chiropractic care. It’s funny over the years, Chiropractic care has taken a beating from other physician groups for a variety of reasons. However, a recent government study indicates that Chiropractic treatment is the most cost effective treatment for lower back conditions.
Chiropractics is a non surgical and non drug medical profession practice that through spinal manipulations treats disorders of the nervous and musculoskeletal system. Each year millions of people make a visit to a chiropractor for treatment, most often for help with back pain. Chiropractic care has been shown to be safe and effective for people who suffer from lower back pain. In fact, studies have shown that chiropractic spinal manipulation is one of the very few means that can effectively treat lower back pain.
Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic Can Help
Nearly 90% of the population at one time or another suffers from lower back pain. It is one of the most common reasons for people miss work. The cause of back pain is often undetectable. When a cause is known however, it is most often in relation to having pinched nerves, injury to the muscle, injury to the nerves of the spine, slipped or ruptured discs or arthritis. A well educated and practiced chiropractor is able to easily determine the root cause of the pain. After determining the cause they are able to make spinal adjustments to alleviate pain and discomfort.
Some people are hesitant to visit a chiropractor, mainly because they don’t know what to expect. On a typical first visit, a full patient health history is taken. Patients will also be given a chiropractor exam where Dr. Hinz will perform an examination focusing on the spine. Sometimes, but now always, patients will be sent for a spinal x-ray before their first manipulation.
For first time patients Dr. Hinz will almost always take the time to educate them on what chiropractic care is and how it works. He will go over procedures and help patients to feel at ease. This education is especially important for those patients who are apprehensive about chiropractic treatment.
On most first visits Dr. Hinz will give the patient their first chiropractic adjustment or manipulation. The manipulation will be the first of many for those undergoing treatment for back pain. Chiropractic adjustments reduce subluxation. After the adjustment patients should experience increased range of motion and a reduction in nerve pain. Most patients, when adjusted will experience joint cavitations or cracking, but not always. If not, this is often because the patient is tense and unable to relax enough for proper treatment. In such cases, chiropractors during recurrent treatment sessions will treat the patients with stimulation, heat or massage prior to the adjustment.
During the first visit, a treatment plan will also be recommended. With lower back pain, patients will typically need to be adjusted a few times a week, at least in the beginning. Over time, when pain starts to diminish manipulations can slowly become further apart. While most patients seeking chiropractic treatment for lower back pain do report great results, a minority few will not see any benefit. If no improvement is noted within 4-6 weeks it is generally recommended to stop treatment.
Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic will generally also work with patients to prevent further lower back pain and injury. Most patients will be sent home with some rehabilitative exercises to focus on. It is also recommended that people who suffer from lower back pain exercise regularly, that they wear comfortable low heeled shoes, have lower back support in any chairs they sit in, make sure that any work table or desk they use is at a comfortable height, be careful when lifting and to use a limber corset if they lift heavy items for their job or on a regular basis.
Besides help with lower back pain, Dr. Hinz can also help with neck pain, middle and upper back pain and even headaches. Often chiropractors can offer patients additional services besides chiropractic manipulations. Many have additional training and degrees and are able to provide information on diet, weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Many also sell dietary and nutritional supplements that they recommend to their patients.
Contact Cool Springs Chiropractic Today
If you are interested in how chiropractic care can help treat your lower back pain, contact Cool Springs Chiropractic today!
