Chiropractic medicine is a relatively new practice that is slowly gaining traction for the non-surgical relief the technique offers to patients with spine and neuromuscular-related disorders. A spine chiropractor is a specialist who specializes in spinal manipulation to provide treatment to mild to moderate spinal conditions.
What Does it Take to Become A Spine Chiropractor?
To qualify for licensing to become a spine chiropractor, you must have an undergraduate degree in chiropractic medicine or a related field. You will then need to become certified as a chiropractor. Once this is done, you will need to continue your education for several years for you to be able to practice as a spine chiropractor.
What Procedures Does A Spine Chiropractor Perform?
Spine manipulation, also known as “chiropractic adjustment,” is the use of hands-on manipulation of the spine and other body joints. The specific procedures vary depending on the needs of each patient, and they can include but are not limited to:
Spinal joint manipulation
Also called spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) or physical therapy, spinal joint manipulation refers to any kind of manual therapy using hands-on techniques over the spine. Spinal joint manipulation is a form of manual therapy used to reduce pain and improve back and neck function.
Spinal mobilization
Spinal mobilization is any manual therapy that mobilizes the spine, including stretching, traction, or manual rotation. Spinal mobilization may be done in conjunction with spinal joint manipulation or used as a standalone treatment.
Spine decompression
Spine decompression refers to any manual therapy that uses straining to reduce restrictions in the spine. Decompression is often used when there is compression or stenosis in the spine. Still, it can also be used as a standalone treatment when other conditions such as arthritis or trauma have caused symptoms in the area of the spine being treated.
Stress management
Unknown to many people, stress can cause lower back and neck pains. Therefore, spinal chiropractic care for stress management refers to any therapeutic technique used for relaxation and improvement in mental health. A therapist may perform stress management or self-administered using simple techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises.
Conditions Managed by A Spine Chiropractor
Some of the conditions that a spinal chiropractor can help alleviate include:
Neck Pain
Neck pain is one of the most common complaints patients bring to a chiropractor. This is because the neck is a complex system of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles that work together to hold the head in place. When these structures are strained or injured, pain can result. A spinal chiropractor uses hands-on manipulation of the neck area to provide relief from the pain. The technique may involve sudden neck movements that unlock fused vertebrae that compress on the neck nerves to cause pain. Pain in the neck can be caused by various factors such as muscle strain, disc herniations, or vertebral compression fractures. In some cases, neck pain may be caused by other conditions such as arthritis or trauma that have caused symptoms in other spine areas.
Lower Back Pain
Causes of lower back pain include degenerative disc disease, muscle strain, and spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal column). Physical therapy often treats lower back pain but may also require surgery. A spine chiropractor can identify the source of the pain and recommend appropriate treatments.
Pain due to Sports Injuries or Car Accidents
Sports injuries are a definitive cause of back pain. Many sports involve repetitive movement of the lower back, leading to muscle strain or injury when performed incorrectly. Car accidents can also cause low back pain. A spine chiropractor help alleviates the pain from injuries by strategically manipulating the spine to reduce inflammation or scarring that might be causes of the pain.
Arthritic Pain
Arthritis is a term used to describe the inflammation of one or more joints. While it is a common condition that affects many people, many are not aware that this condition can also cause pain in other areas of the spine. Pain from arthritis may be caused by degeneration of the discs in the spine and can be relieved with chiropractic care. Chiropractors help with arthritic pain by manipulating the spine to relieve pain and restore normal joint motion. Spinal manipulation therapy is a popular treatment for many types of back pain.
Although spinal manipulation is most often used to treat lower back pain, it can also treat other forms of back pain such as neck pain, shoulder pain, and hip pain. Spinal manipulation may be appropriate for individuals who are not responsive to non-surgical treatments. Spinal manipulation may also be a suitable treatment option for patients with chronic or recurrent low back pain that other methods have not successfully treated. For more information on spine chiropractic care, call us at 205-637-1363.
