Back pain is a leading cause of disability around the world. It can range from minor discomfort to severe, debilitating pain caused by a degenerative disease. Whatever the reason may be, back pain and injury can limit your movement and prevent you from doing the activities you enjoy.
Fortunately, you don’t have to live with back pain. One option you can consider is enlisting the services of a chiropractor. Chiropractors are licensed medical professionals that manipulate your joints or spine to provide pain relief from musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.
How Your Chiropractor Helps You with Recovery
Before a chiropractic session, you may be asked to undergo a physical exam and imaging tests to determine your spine’s health. Chiropractic care is usually not a standalone treatment and complements traditional modalities like pain medication, exercise, physical therapy, and steroid injections. Here’s why a chiropractor is an essential part of your recovery team.
Provide Pain Relief
During a typical chiropractic session for back pain, you will be asked to lie face down on a cushioned table. Once you’re comfortable, a chiropractor will skillfully use their hands to apply pressure on the affected area. Instead of using drugs to relieve joint pain, they focus on relaxing tight muscles and releasing tension through targeted adjustments.
If you have spinal stenosis, a condition where the structures that make up the spine become narrower, a chiropractor may use spinal decompression techniques. Through motorized traction, chiropractors gently extend the spine to reduce pressure on the spinal discs that may be pressing against nerves. Decompression allows water, oxygen, and other nutrient-rich fluids to enter the spinal structures and speed up healing.
Correct Spinal Displacement
When the bones in your spine fall out of alignment due to disease or injury, they can pull on the muscles and surrounding structures.
For low back pain caused by spinal misalignment, your chiropractor may perform spinal manipulation. Here, they may apply controlled, high-velocity pressure to push a joint beyond its normal range of motion. You might hear popping or cracking sounds and experience soreness after a session.
The goal of spinal manipulation is to realign the displaced joints and improve your range of motion. Stretching the joint capsules this way may reset the position of the spinal cord and nerves, restoring balance to the nervous system.
Studies suggest that spinal manipulation works just as well as exercise or physical therapy. Twelve sessions of these may help with chronic low back pain. However, it’s important to note that this technique is generally recommended for younger individuals. It may not be ideal for older adults whose bones are weaker and more porous.
Teach Proper Body Mechanics
In addition to providing pain relief through manual joint manipulation, a chiropractor can teach proper body mechanics to sustain the benefits of the treatment. They can make recommendations to improve bone and joint health, as well. Chiropractors can demonstrate how to properly position themselves to reduce the pressure on your joints. They are also capable of spotting and correcting errors in your posture.
As experts in the various structures that make up your musculoskeletal system, chiropractors are in an excellent position to address the root cause of your pain. Beyond ensuring that your joints are in good condition, they also look at the integrity of the surrounding structures. If needed, they can refer you to a specialist for further assessment.
Chiropractic Care In Forth Worth, Texas
Chiropractors are not limited to managing back pain and helping you recover from a back injury. They can help treat disorders of the joints, neck, digestive system, muscle spasms, and even chronic headaches.
For the best in chiropractic care, visit the Texas Medical Institute today. Our very own Dr. Bobbie Thompson Williams and Dr. Amy Mohr has a wealth of experience providing pain relief through chiropractic techniques.
Depending on your condition, our specialists may use nonsurgical spinal decompression techniques to reduce the pressure on your spinal discs. You can trust our team to address the root cause of your pain and restore your function.
To schedule a consultation with our chiropractic specialists, call (817) 615-8633 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you get back to life!
