Did you know that back pain is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States? And it’s not just prevalent in the US, it’s a global issue. According to the World Health Organization, low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It’s such a common condition that experts estimate that more than 80% of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives.
If you’re seeking ways to get rid of the annoying pain in your back, then keep reading. In this article, I answer the questions you might have about chiropractic and how effective it is in relieving back pain.
Can Chiropractic Help Relieve Back Pain?
In answering this question, we’d have to first identify the cause of the pain. Chiropractic focuses on improving the well-being of patients by tackling issues with the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. So, if the pain is caused by misalignment or pressure in the musculoskeletal or nervous system, then a visit to a chiropractor might just be what you need.
Standard medical treatments like surgery might be too invasive for a lot of people and there has been an increase in addiction to pain medications. As a result, the American College of Physicians recommends alternative solutions like spinal manipulation for treating back pain.
In recent years, there’ve been numerous arguments about whether chiropractors do anything other than crack a few bones while creating frightening cracking/popping sounds. Thankfully, there have also been studies that show the efficacy of chiropractic in treating back pain.
In a study by JAMA Network Open, a clinical trial was conducted on 759 active-duty US military personnel. The aim of the trial was to determine if chiropractic could relieve pain symptoms or if was just another treatment that promised heaven and earth but couldn’t deliver on its promise.
During the trial, participants were divided into two groups. One group received traditional medical treatments while the other group received chiropractic in addition to traditional medical treatments.
At the end of the trial, it was discovered that people who received chiropractic treatment reported less pain intensity than those who didn’t receive chiropractic care.
How Does Chiropractic Work?
Have you ever had a neck crick? Can you remember how uncomfortable it was and how much harder it was to move your neck until you got rid of the crick?
One thing I’ve learned about the human body is that it speaks. Your body tells you whenever something isn’t right. So the pain or discomfort you feel in your back is sometimes caused by misalignments in your musculoskeletal system, which can lead to nerve pressure, muscle tension, and inflammation.
Misalignments are usually caused by factors like bad posture, aging, stress, and strenuous activities. Chiropractic care tries to restore order to the musculoskeletal system by moving your bones and joints to their right place. A chiropractor uses skilled movements and other techniques to get rid of misalignments in your spine. And because aligned joints are happy joints, it translates to pressure relief, improved blood flow, pain relief, and improved mobility.
When Not to Visit a Chiropractor
Chiropractic might not be a safe treatment if you have any of the following medical conditions:
- Cancer of the spine
- Severe osteoporosis
- High risk of stroke
- Bone disease