Overview: Chiropractic Care
At some point in life, most people suffer from pain in the lower back (or lumbar spine). We can suffer tissue injury from a single traumatic event, such as incorrectly lifting a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting for long in an awkward position with poor spinal posture. In such cases, the tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function.
Chiropractic care is a common treatment option for back pain including lower back pain which is one of the most common types of back pain, and neck pain. Chiropractic care for lower back pain relief involves spinal manipulation (also called manual manipulation), exercise advice, and self-care recommendations. Spinal manipulation has been shown to help relieve pain and improve function.
Using hands-on spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments, a chiropractor helps restore mobility to joints that are restricted by tissue injury caused by a traumatic event, such as falling, or repetitive stress, such as sitting without proper back support. It is believed that proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, will provide lower back pain relief and enable the body to heal itself without surgery or medication.
Chiropractic treatment is primarily used as a lower back pain relief alternative for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue. Sometimes, it is used along with conventional medical treatment.
Reasons for Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can be caused by:
- Accidents
- Sports injuries
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Work injuries
- Household chores
- Stress of daily living
- Overuse injuries
- Arthritis
Role of Chiropractors
Chiropractors can see patients without a referral from a general practitioner. They focus on treating the spine by using their hands to examine and treat health conditions related to the bones, muscles and joints (musculoskeletal problems). They are trained to recommend lower back exercises to treat and rehabilitate health conditions that are related to the bones, muscles and joints, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle advice.
Chiropractors use a range of methods to diagnose musculoskeletal problems. These include hands-on clinical examination, as well as diagnostic imaging such as x-rays or MRIs. These and other diagnostic methods are used to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate. In case your health condition needs to be co-managed with other healthcare professionals, your chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate healthcare provider.
A chiropractor offers the primary method of treatment for lower back pain, in many cases. In some cases, the services of a chiropractor can be used to complement or support medical treatment.
How Chiropractic Treatment Works
In addition to back pain relief, chiropractic care works to help restore function and prevent injury.
To begin with, a medical history is taken of the person, and the chiropractor performs a physical examination. Lab tests or diagnostic imaging may also be used to determine if treatment is appropriate for the back pain. Goals are set for the chiropractic treatment plan driven by the patient’s pain and disability issues and activity intolerance.
As part of the lower back pain treatment plan, the chiropractor could manipulate the joints, using a controlled, sudden force in order to improve range and quality of motion. Here’s a look at the different techniques of common chiropractic treatment options:
- Chiropractic adjustments – In this technique of spinal manipulation, the chiropractor uses their hands to apply controlled force to a joint of the spine/ abnormal vertebra. The goal of chiropractic adjustments is to improve functionality, reduce nerve irritability and restore the range of motion in the back.
- Mobilisation – This is a gentle technique of manipulation, movement and stretching of the muscles and joints. The goal is to increase the range of motion in those areas.
Often, chiropractors may also offer nutritional counseling and lower back exercises/ rehabilitation as part of the lower back pain treatment plan. Some of the methods your chiropractor will discuss with you as part of chiropractic care for back pain might include:
- Reassurance
- Lower back exercises
- Heat or ice application
- Stretching
- Massage
- Changes in activity in daily life to reduce discomfort and help recovery
- Lifestyle advice on healthy eating and physical activity
- Physiologic therapeutics including the use of ultrasound, laser or TENS
- Orthotics or shoe inserts to help support the feet and improve posture and alignment
- Drop piece table technique which involves the use of a specially designed table to mobilise a joint in a controlled manner
- Treatment of other joints, namely feet, ankles, shoulders, wrists, elbows.
Conclusion
If you are in need of chiropractic care for back pain and are looking for a chiropractor in downtown Toronto, look no further than the Dundas University Health Clinic. Chiropractic care and spinal manipulation can be a safe and effective lower back pain treatment. Manipulation or chiropractic adjustments of the affected joint and tissues helps bring back mobility, and reduces pain and muscle tightness, allowing tissues to heal. The Dundas University Health Clinic offers trained, registered practitioners for consultation and treatment involving chiropractic care for back pain. Do consult your chiropractor in downtown Toronto at the Dundas University Health Clinic for chiropractic care for lower back pain relief.