Neck and back problems are one of the most common reasons people treat with medical professionals. You may experience back pain following an automobile accident, neck pain you blame on aging, or a muscle strain from yard work. Chiropractic practice focuses on the spine.
It specializes in understanding the cause of spinal dysfunction. Rather than simply treating the problem, chiropractors determine the root cause of the issue. They then craft treatment plans that manage symptoms, improve function, and retrain the body to prevent further injury. Chiropractors have an array of effective and non-invasive techniques at their disposal to diagnoses and treat your spinal ailment. Whether spinal problems are recent and caused by an injury or chronic and developed over time, chiropractors can correct the problem.
What Types of Spine Problems Can Chiropractors Correct?
The spine consists of thirty-three bones, known as vertebrae, stacked on top of one another. Ligaments, intervertebral discs, and muscles connect to the vertebrae. The whole system interacts to form the spinal column. The spine is your body’s main structural support system.
When the vertebrae interact correctly, you can stand, walk, bend, and twist without pain or limitation. Injury, repetitive movement, and aging can all make the spine function incorrectly. Individuals often accept neck and back pain as inevitable. Ignoring problems only exacerbates them.
Seeking treatment when spinal problems begin or persist is the best way to correct them before they worsen. Chiropractors are specially trained to treat several spinal conditions. While some cases require medical or surgical, chiropractic care specializes in understanding the nature of a spinal problem.
Chiropractors then use non-invasive and non-narcotic techniques focused on treating the cause, rather than the symptoms. The exact nature of your problem determines the treatment plan. Problems chiropractors treat include:
- Back Pain–Lumbar problems feature pain located in your back or that radiates down the legs. You may also experience numbness or tingling in the legs and feet.
- Neck Pain–Stiffness, difficulty turning your head, or sharp pains indicate a cervical problem. Numbness or tingling in the arms and hands or loss of grip strength is also a common symptom.
- Disc Protrusions–Discs are soft pads located between each vertebra. They provide cushioning and maintain normal space between the spinal joints. Sometimes, injury or aging causes them to shift outside of the vertebrae. This causes pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities, and muscle spasm.
- Sciatica and Leg Pain–When pressure is placed on a spinal nerve, from a protruding disc or stenosis, it can cause shooting pain down the leg called sciatica.
- Whiplash–The muscle, ligaments, discs, and tendons in the neck are damaged when they are suddenly jerked back and forth, like during an automobile accident.
- Spinal Stenosis–The spinal cord and nerves travel through the vertebrae via the spinal canal. Over time, bone overgrowth, wear and tear, and aging may narrow the canal. This causes pain, numbness in the extremities, and problems walking.
- Scoliosis–The spine is naturally curved in an ‘S’ shape. Scoliosis is an abnormal curve that often has no clear cause. Unaddressed scoliosis places excessive stress on your spine.
How Does a Chiropractor Correct Spine Problems?
The first step is proper evaluation. The chiropractor will assess your symptoms and conduct a physical evaluation. Depending on your specific complaint, they perform orthopedic tests, evaluate your posture, and determine if any underlying conditions are responsible for your spine problem. Chiropractors base the treatment plan on your specific case and their expertise on which therapies will best manage your spine problem. Treatments may include:
- Spinal Adjustment–Chiropractors manually adjust spinal segments to improve spinal alignment. This improves pain, vertebral function, and range of motion.
- Traction–Gentle force is used to increase space between vertebrae. This reduces pressure and eases symptoms.
- Graston Technique–Chiropractors manipulate soft tissue with instruments to manage soft tissue injuries.
- Flexion Distraction–Chiropractors use a specially designed table to move the spine. This hydrates discs, reduces pressure, and relieves pain.
- Cryotherapy–Chiropractors safely use extreme cold to trigger a system-wide response in the body. This improves circulation and releases hormones.
Are you experiencing new or worsening spinal pain? Have you dealt with chronic back pain that you haven’t been able to control? Were you told to have surgery or sent to pain management for a spinal problem, but you want to explore non-invasive alternatives? Call us today at 205-637-1363 and schedule a consultation to evaluate your spinal problem.
