Low-back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit the physician. It can also be extremely difficult to get rid of, with many patients suffering for months or years before finding a solution. Fortunately, there are a number of noninvasive treatment options that can help alleviate symptoms, and reduce your need for medication and surgery by getting to the root cause of the issue. One of these options is chiropractic care, which uses spinal manipulation to improve movement, reduce stress on surrounding structures and ligaments, and increase blood flow within afflicted body areas. Research shows, it has proven effective at providing relief for patients with low back pain in several studies conducted over the years by various researchers within the medical community, several Cochrane database reviews illustrate this, and is now commonly recommended medical advice from progressive up-to-date health professionals.
What is chiropractic?
It is a form of healthcare that treats the nervous system, muscles and other structures of the body by improving joint mobility. Spinal manipulation aka an “adjustment” can benefit both patients with chronic or short term low back pain, but it is especially effective for recent cases of lumbar issues because it helps reduce stress in your body. It also helps increase blood flow throughout the body so that nutrients are more readily available to heal damaged tissues.
Manipulations are also safer than opioid medications such as oxycodone or hydrocodone because they don’t cause side effects like nausea or drowsiness–which makes them ideal for people who need relief from long term conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
An adjustment is when a chiro uses a high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) thrust to mobilize an area, it can be in the spine, or any other part of the body.
Also, it is safe for pregnant women and children. Many kids suffer from back pain and headaches, so it’s important that they have access to safe and effective care. Embody health will work with you or your child to determine the cause of the pain, whether it’s caused by a sports injury, pregnancy or something else. Once they’ve determined what’s causing the pain, they’ll design an individualized care plan based on your needs.
The benefits of chiropractic for low back pain
It can help you feel better.
If you have problems with your back, Embody Health can help. Chiro’s focus on the spine and its relationship with other body systems. Misalignment of the spine can cause interference to impulses traveling to and from your brain, which results in pain and spasms throughout the body. By improving spinal movement through gentle manual manipulation or other methods (such as mobilizations, stretches and exercises), we can reduce inflammation and increase range of motion in your body so that you can return to a more active lifestyle without any limitations caused by back issues or body tightness.
Chiro care can be the ideal alternative to surgery, which is often recommended for back pain treatment. Surgery, like any other invasive procedure, comes with risks of complications and side effects. Chiro care has been shown in clinical studies to be just as effective as surgery without the risk of complications or side effects.
As a chiropractors in the Netherlands, we focus on finding the root cause of your pain and treating it by adjusting your spine (or other parts of your body) so that brain signals are not impeded as they travel from your spine down to your extremities. This allows for better communication between these two areas of the body, which improves function.
Which chiropractic treatments are most effective for low back pain?
There are many chiropractic techniques but these are some of the most common.
- Joint manipulation.
- Decompression.
- Fascial release.
- Stretching of the muscles
- Therapeutic massage and soft tissue techniques, including the Graston Technique and NUCCA Technique, which use special instruments to correct vertebral misalignments that may be causing pressure on tissues in your neck or back.
- Activator technique (instrumented adjusting) – this is a low force technique ideal for people who are either too acute or uncomfortable with the “crack” sound.
These treatments for lower back pain are often used in combination with other therapies such as ergonomic evaluation and advice, workspace and lifestyle advice, nutritional advice etc., depending on the individual needs of each patient. It is ok to continue seeing someone for physical therapy while under care of Embody Health.
How does a chiropractic adjustment work?
When there is an imbalance in your spine, it can cause pain or discomfort. Spinal manipulation for low back pain helps to restore balance to your nervous system by removing interference from areas where sensitive tissues exit from the spinal cord (known as roots). This allows them to function properly again by regulating pain signals sent through your body. Spinal discs act as spacers for the nerve roots, and without adequate movement they begin to degenerate, this can cause leg pain, back pain, even radiating symptoms into the feet (radiculopathy) or even systematic issues.
The goal of Embody Health is not only about relieving pain but also preventing future injuries by keeping your spine healthy with regular help. By receiving consistent chiro care you will be able to improve mobility and reduce symptoms associated with this condition such as stiffness/tightness in muscles surrounding vertebrae which cause inflammation due excessive stressors being placed upon them over time during activities such as exercise or everyday tasks like lifting heavy objects while standing up straight helps prevent further damage caused by prolonged periods spent hunched over computers or cars etcetera…
When should you see a chiropractor?
- If you have a chronic low back pain that is not getting better
- If you have a new injury
- If you are pregnant
- If you are an athlete and your sport requires ongoing care.
If you are a hospital outpatient or had a recent surgery/trauma that requires ongoing care.
If you have a disease or illness that causes degeneration of the spine (such as osteoporosis).
If you have had recent surgery on any part of your body.
If you have had a recent injury that is not getting better.
If you have visited multiple other professionals without a solution like physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture or cesar therapy. A physical therapist can be useful in conjunction with Embody Health’s team, and is commonly used when movement has been properly restored to the right muscles and joints.
How much does chiropractic cost?
Chiro care is affordable. In fact, it’s often less expensive than many alternatives for treating lumbar pain. Insurance companies may cover chiro services as well, so be sure to check with yours to see if they will pay for your treatment plan.
To see pricing for care from Embody Health check our pricing page here
Why Low Back Pain Sufferers Prefer Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic management of low back pain is a non-invasive, which means it does not involve surgery or drugs, to solve pain and improve function. It’s also a holistic approach to healthcare, meaning the focus is on the whole body and not just the area that is hurting. Chiropractors are trained for five to eight years and are experienced in all conditions regarding the brain, body and musculoskeletal system. A primary tenant of the profession is with a hands-on approach to evaluate, and treat the root-cause of a condition rather than just alleviate the symptoms.
While some people may be nervous about visiting a chiropractor because they think they will hurt them or do something painful, most people report feeling better after treatment at their chiropractor’s office.
Some benefits include:
- Reduced pain from lower back spasms and sciatica symptoms (pain radiating down one leg)
- Improved circulation throughout your body by improving nerve function around your spine
- Improved posture of the back and neck due to improved alignment between vertebrae bones in your spinal column
Is chiropractic safe for lumbar pain?
Chiropractic is safe to treat low back pain, and it’s also effective. In fact, chiropractors are trained in the same principles that doctors of osteopathy are taught: to use gentle manipulations of the spine to help patients feel better.
There’s no reason to worry about going to see a chiropractor if you have lower back pain or other problems with your body. Chiropractic care has been shown to be both safe and effective in treating many types of musculoskeletal conditions including neck pain (cervicalgia) and shoulder pain (scapulohumeralgia). There are many types of chiropractic care, Embody Health focuses on safe, research supported methods.
What to expect during your appointment
- You’ll meet with your chiropractor for an initial consultation. In this meeting, you will have the opportunity to discuss your symptoms and complaints. You may also undergo a physical examination of the body and pelvis, and imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans if necessary, and postural photos will be taken to be discussed at the first follow-up visit. If you have any diagnostic imaging already, please bring it to the intake visit.
- Your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on their findings during this initial visit. They may recommend a regimen of manual therapy, such as manipulation or mobilization; soft tissue treatments like massage; exercise rehabilitation programs; nutritional counseling (in addition to dietary changes); lifestyle modifications such as sleeping positions, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight or sitting habits at work; acupuncture therapy–or any combination thereof!
- Follow-up appointments may be helpful and are typically scheduled weekly until your agreed evaluation date. Typical guidelines recommend about 6-8 weeks. However, This timeframe will vary and will be discussed on the initial appointment
Conclusion
If you’re suffering from problems in the lower back, and self-care is not enough, it’s important to find the right treatment for your needs. Embody Health’s clinic is a great option for many people and can help with more than just back issues. There is no substitute for finding the right professional at the right time. You do not need a referral from your healthcare provider or medical doctor. If you’re looking just for informational purposes on how chiropractic might help relieve something for you or someone in your family, contact our office today!
