Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek out a chiropractor. While there are many causes of back pain, a chiropractor can often help alleviate it in most cases.
How exactly can a chiropractor help with back pain? Let’s find out.
How a Chiropractor Treats Back Pain
Chiropractors take a step-by-step approach to treat back pain. First, they take a complete health history and perform a physical examination. This helps them determine the cause of the back pain, which is critical before administering any treatment. If it is due to muscle strain or other mechanical issues, they may recommend spinal manipulation or other hands-on therapies to relieve pressure on nerves and improve the range of motion in your joints.
If your back pain is due to arthritis or another condition that cannot be helped with manipulative therapies, they may still be able to provide relief through massage therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, or other treatments. A good chiropractor will work with you on developing a personalized treatment plan that may include an at-home exercise and stretching routine.
Chiropractors may also recommend lifestyle changes such as losing weight if you are overweight or quitting smoking if you are a smoker, as both conditions can contribute to back problems.
Different Treatments Chiropractors Use for Back Pain
Below are six of the most common treatments that chiropractors use to treat back pain:
- Spinal Manipulation – This is the most common treatment used by chiropractors and involves using gentle yet firm pressure to manipulate the spine into proper alignment to ease symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion.
- Massage Therapy – Massage therapy can be very beneficial in relieving tension and knots in muscles that lead to back pain. Your chiropractor may use both deep tissue massage and trigger point therapy techniques during your treatment sessions.
- Exercise/Stretching – In addition to manipulation and massage, your chiropractor may prescribe specific exercises or stretches for you to do at home as part of your overall treatment plan for back pain relief. These exercises help strengthen the muscles around the spine, which can provide better support and stability. Additionally, stretching helps keep tissues healthy by increasing blood flow and nutrients delivered through circulation. All of these things work together to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and prevent further injury.
- Electric Stimulation – If you have chronic back pain that isn’t responding well to other forms of treatment, your chiropractor may suggest electric stimulation therapy. This type of treatment uses electrical current to stimulate nerve endings in order to provide pain relief blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. It can also be used to increase blood flow and relax muscles in order to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
- Ice/Heat Therapy – Applying ice or heat may seem like a simple home remedy, but it can actually be quite effective at reducing back pain when used properly under the guidance of a professional chiropractor. Ice therapy helps reduce swelling, whereas heat therapy can loosen up tight muscles and relax them to prevent spasms that often contribute to backache symptoms.
- Spine Decompression – Spine decompression involves gently stretching the spine to take pressure off of discs and nerves. This type of treatment can be done using a traction table or machine, or manually by a chiropractor. Studies have shown that spinal decompression therapy can be effective in treating back pain. One study found that 70% of patients who underwent spinal traction experienced significant improvements in their symptoms after just one week of treatment.
Experienced Chiropractor in Fort Worth, TX
The talented team at Texas Medical Institute is happy to offer chiropractic services to patients with back pain, whether it’s from muscle strains, tight knots, or work-related incidents. Our chiropractors combine their specialized knowledge and skill to help you achieve relief from symptoms and speed up your recovery. We treat patients with muscle pain, joint pain, sciatica pain, chronic headaches, and much more.
To schedule a consultation with a chiropractor, call our office today at (817) 615-8633, or use our convenient online appointment request form. We look forward to providing you with the best chiropractic treatment in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.
