Should You See a Chiropractor if You Have Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the most frequent — and debilitating — conditions we encounter. It's also not easy to find the correct pain reliever: A study published in The Spine Journal compared choosing a back pain treatment to grocery shopping, comparing the large range of treatment options to the vast selection on grocery store shelves.

Many people seek treatment from a chiropractor for back problems. According to a 2015 National Institutes of Health report, an estimated 27 million Americans are evaluated and treated by a chiropractor each year, mostly for back pain relief. The characteristic therapy of chiropractic care is spine manipulation.

Getting Your Back on Track

The concept behind modern chiropractic treatment is that many pain problems are caused by spinal misalignment. Physical pushing, tugging, and deliberate repositioning of the head, shoulders, neck, back, or hips to assist relieve back pain is known as spinal manipulation.

The practice of spinal manipulation for low back problems, which was once regarded as a fringe medical treatment for back pain, is now being adopted by more medical doctors.

When ordinary, uncomplicated back pain (pain not caused by a more serious underlying problem such as compression fractures or a herniated disc) doesn't improve with self-care, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society included spinal manipulation as one of several treatment options for trained practitioners to consider using. Adjustments may help with acute back pain lasting six weeks or less, as well as chronic back pain flare-ups.

Many Options

Other treatments, such as over-the-counter pain medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), physical therapy, massage, or a combination of therapies, can help relieve back discomfort.

According to research, spinal manipulation is as effective as anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicines, as well as other standard therapies. Your choice of chiropractor over other therapies should be based on your own preferences, as well as prices and advice from your other doctors.

Patients may not require treatment and their back pain will resolve on its own. If you have an acute back strain, chiropractic rehabilitation may help, but it will usually improve over time regardless of what you do.

However, depending on the source of chronic back pain, a person may get brief alleviation. That is why some people visit the chiropractor on a regular basis. Because of the hands-on aspect of the treatment and the amount of time the chiropractor spends with them, some may enjoy the therapy.

Why Consider a Chiropractor?

Chiropractors, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), address a wide range of health issues, including neck discomfort, headaches, and muscle, ligament, and joint injuries and illnesses. Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) get considerable training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal issues.

Chiropractors treat patients holistically, or on a whole-body level, advising them on diet, nutrition, and healthy living practices. Six to twelve appointments are usually scheduled over the course of two to four weeks. Conservative pain management is preferred over medicines and surgery, but if the diagnosis is beyond the scope of a chiropractor's practice, the patient will be sent to another medical specialist.

Chiropractors undertake spinal manipulation by applying a little amount of force—or a more forceful thrust—to reposition the bones in the spine and neck with their hands or a gadget.

Chiropractic Risks

When conducted by a competent and licensed practitioner, the risk of damage from chiropractic treatment is generally negligible. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have more dangers than spinal manipulation (NSAIDs). The most common adverse effects of the technique are aching, stiff, or achy muscles that linger a day or two following treatment. Following a visit, some people may experience transient dizziness, headaches, or numbness.

Though rare, more significant adverse effects from chiropractic manipulation have been reported, including spinal cord injury, spinal fluid leakage, ruptured disc or advancement of an existing herniated disc, and cauda equina syndrome, which is the compression of nerves in the lower spine. Before you undertake treatment, your doctor should discuss any potential hazards with you.