If you’re interested in chiropractic therapy for lower back pain, you’re not alone. The Chiropractor’s Association of Australia says that more than 3.7 million Australians experience chronic back pain, and the effects are both emotionally and physically stressful. Let’s take a look at how chiropractic may help in managing lower back pain.
When Do You Need Chiropractic Therapy?
Back and neck pain can be caused by a number of things ranging from sports injuries and accidents, to factors like household chores and stress. Its cause is often not known, making it difficult to choose a treatment provider.
How Can Chiropractic Therapy Benefit Back Pain?
Chiropractic techniques
Chiropractic makes use of manually manipulative therapy, or use of the hands to treat problems in your joints, muscles and bones. The lower back is a complex combination of all of these, and chiropractors often use spinal manipulation to treat back and neck pain.
Sometimes pain in the lumbar region is caused by tissue injuries that result in pain and inflammation. It can be caused by a trauma, repeated use of the muscles or longer term postural problems, such as sitting incorrectly or carrying imbalanced weight for a prolonged period of time.
Some common chiropractic techniques include:
- Mobilisation of the joints to increase their range of motion
- Massage and other soft tissue techniques
- Stretching
- Hot and cold applications
Lifestyle support
In addition to chiropractic techniques, your chiropractor will also recommend exercises and lifestyle modifications that you follow when at home.
A strong, healthy and fit body is less susceptible to injury, and your chiropractor can assist you in ensuring you are performing your exercises and workouts in an ergonomically safe way.
Over-used and over-worked muscles can cause pain too, so even if you do already work out, your chiropractor can assist you in optimising your routine and avoiding injury. A good chiropractor will also provide nutritional and supplement advice, so that your nutrition is optimised for healing.
Chiropractors collaborate with other professionals
Some patients may not benefit as much as others from chiropractic, while others may require a team approach that involves different medical professionals. If this is the case for you, your chiropractor will make the necessary referrals on your behalf.
What Can You Expect From a Chiropractic Session?
Chiropractic is holistic, and even if acute back pain has sent you off in search of treatment, your chiropractor will assess your body as a whole.
The first time you consult a chiropractor he or she will take a comprehensive medical history from you. Your vital signs will be checked and an inspection will be performed to check your spine, muscles and supporting soft tissue.
You will have an orthopaedic examination, where the chiropractor will inspect your ligaments and tendons, as well as your joints’ range of motion.
Neurological assessments will determine how your cranial, sensory and motor nerves are functioning.
On the back of the assessment, your chiropractor can give you a good idea of what caused your lower back pain and recommend a chiropractic care plan customised for your body.
For an individual approach to chiropractic for lower back pain, please get in touch with us: (02) 9546 6033