Should you consider seeing a chiropractor for your low back pain? More importantly, should you consider seeing a chiropractor for your low back pain first? That is, before you go see your general practitioner, before you're prescribed medications, and more importantly, before you get started on a course of treatment that can only end in surgery if you don't get the right results?
For many people, seeing a chiropractor is their absolutely last choice. They've gone through every other treatment, nothing has worked to their satisfaction, and some even have surgery already scheduled before considering a visit to the chiropractor.
Once they make this decision, their back pain has been present for years, has already lead to many prescriptions and their condition has degenerated to the point that their chiropractic treatments will have less of a chance of success.
Calling the plumber when the leak has just started or is small is much more effective than calling him once your house is three feet deep in water!
Thankfully, chiropractic treatment can still get great results. Low back pain is the most common reason why patients visit a chiropractor, ahead of headaches and neck pain.
While not the only thing chiropractic can help, it has been the condition that has been the most researched, the most successful, and has been show to be both cost-effective and most importantly, very effective in relieving the pain.
Still, why wait? Why go through months of medications, maybe some therapy, get injections, and then get scheduled for surgery before considering your other options?
Unfortunately, this is the nature of our current health care system. Most people don't realize that their insurance will likely cover chiropractic care. They don't realize what a chiropractor does or even our high success rate with low back pain.
They also hope that their low back pain is a minor problem, something will just go away with a pill and some rest. Before they know it, they've been dealing with their problem for years and it's only getting worse.
Visiting a chiropractor crosses their mind, but maybe they don't know who to go see. It's easier to go to their regular doctor and hope for the best.
Sometimes the initial recommendation of rest and a stronger version of an over the counter medication does the trick. The pain is gone and they're able to resume their normal activities.
More often, though, this type of "patch" treatment only covers up the pain while the underlying structural problem is still present. Returning to your normal activities with the pain covered up only serves to making the problem worse as time goes on.
These types of problems will generally return again and again, each time a little bit worse and lasting a little bit longer until the treatments of the past no longer do any good.
Seeing a chiropractor while the problem is new will save a lot of time, trouble, and pain for those that are willing to let us take a look at the early stages.
Your spine will have a much greater chance of success when the spinal disc is healthier and before degeneration begins to set in.
If you are regularly taking over the counter medications to deal with back pain, now is the time to take action and see a chiropractor. While you may be able to "get through your day" right now, the effects of long term medication use and worse, letting the problem continue to get worse will only make your recovery harder as time goes by.
Consider seeing a chiropractor for your back pain first and get to the core of your problem.
Chiropractic Low Back Pain
It is a hands-on therapy that is based on the theory that when bones in the spine are out of place, it can cause many medical issues, especially of the nervous system. The main theory is that the body will heal on its own if all joints are back in line, mainly the spine.
Although spinal manipulation has been used for years, even way back in ancient Greece, chiropractic was founded in the 1980s and it is now well established in the US, Canada, and Australia. It has fought with mainstream medicine as an accepted form of treatment. But, over the years, it has gained legitimacy and acceptance among doctors and covered by more insurance plans.
Some of the ailments that this alternative medical system treats effectively are lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, and pain in the joints of the arms and legs. It can commonly treat sports injuries and repetitive strains. Some people have even taken their babies for this type of treatment, to treat colic and chronic ear infections. It has even been said to help cure arthritis and high blood pressure.
On your first visit to the chiropractor, he will understand your health history. He will do a physical exam, focusing on the spine. He may take x-rays. If he thinks that you are a good candidate for treatment, he will chart out a plan. If he feels he cannot help you medically, he will refer you to the proper health care provider.
The treatments usually involve the adjusting of the joints and bones in someone's spine using twisting, pulling, or pushing movements. This therapy is called manipulation (or adjustment). It is mainly given to the spine and it involves a controlled, sudden force to a joint.
This helps to increase the range of motion for the area. Some other non-manual treatments include heat and ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, rehabilitative exercise, magnetic therapy, counseling about lifestyle, dietary supplements, homeopathy, and acupuncture. Many, who go for chiropractic care, report that they feel better after these treatments. The pain and soreness go away or get lessened. They have better range of motion and just feel better overall.
The overall risks of treatment are relatively low when you consult a practitioner who has proper knowledge and training. Make sure to choose someone who has the proper credentials, and the treatment is covered by your health insurance.
Those who practice this system of medicine are licensed and regulated by each individual state. There are guidelines in every state regarding this. They have to first undergo rigorous schooling for four to six years. They are not licensed to perform major surgeries or prescribe drugs.
As you can see, there can be many benefits to chiropractic care. If you have chronic ailments that your family doctor or other medical specialists cannot seem to help you with, make an appointment with a chiropractor today. You do not have to live with the pain if this alternative treatment can help you.
Both Pvcordova & Andrew Stratton are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Pvcordova has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Backpain. Dr. Philip Cordova is a chiropractor in Houston, Texas. More information about this can be found on his website at http://www.MyHoustonCh. Pvcordova's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.
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