How Does a Chiropractor Fix Lower Back Pain?

People with lower back pain often end up quitting their favourite activities. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can deal with this annoying pain through consistent chiropractic care instead of surgeries or opioids. In fact, 77% of people who consulted with chiropractors for back pain reported the sessions to be highly effective. Let’s understand how it is one of the most effective treatment options for lower back pain and what you should expect from chiropractic clinics.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Though it is a popular healthcare practice, not many are aware of what exactly chiropractic treatment is all about. Chiropractic care primarily focuses on spinal manipulation, also known as manual manipulation. The chiropractor is a trained professional who takes care of the pain in the lumbar spine (lower back), thoracic spine (upper back) and cervical spine (neck). They uncover the relationship between the spine and the nervous system to detect the source of the pain and fix it.

In most cases, back problems stem from injuries to the spine. So, the chiropractor uses their hands, elbows and knees to manipulate the spine and associated joints. This triggers the natural healing response of your body, thereby reducing pain and discomfort.

When to Consult a Chiropractor?

You should see a chiropractor if your back pain doesn’t fade after 24 hours of self-care. They determine the exact cause of your pain and begin treatments accordingly for your long-term recovery. Chiropractic care is most effective if the pain is related to joints, muscles, bones and nerves of the back. 

Consider scheduling a consultation with a chiropractor if you experience:

• Persistent pain– If your low back pain has lasted for more than a few days and is not improving with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Radiating pain- In conditions like sciatica, the pain travels from the lower back down into the buttocks or legs. 
• Stiffness and limited mobility– Difficulty bending, twisting, or performing everyday movements due to back stiffness.
• Pain following a minor injury– If your back pain started after an event like lifting something heavy, a sudden movement, or a minor fall.

Consider a chiropractor as an alternative approach, even if you have tried other conservative treatments without success. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques, primarily spinal manipulation, to restore proper joint function and reduce pain. They may also incorporate other therapies such as massage, exercise rehabilitation, and lifestyle advice.

What Can Chiropractors Do For Lower Back Pain?

Chiropractors prepare a treatment regime depending on the source and intensity of your pain. They may recommend exercises, manual therapies and other adjustments to provide you with long-term relief and optimum mobility. Here are the most common ways a chiropractor can help relieve your lower back pain.

Spinal/chiropractic adjustments

An adjustment is basically a manipulation of the vertebrae that are unable to function the way they should. There are various types of chiropractic adjustments. For instance, the chiropractor may apply a high velocity and short lever arm thrust to the vertebra or use the joint cavitation technique. The goals of all adjustments are to increase your range of motion, reduce nerve irritation and improve body functions.

Chiropractic therapies and exercises

Chiropractors often combine strengthening and cardiovascular exercises with adjustments to manage lower back pain. They may even prescribe aerobic exercises to keep your muscles in the right tone and boost blood circulation.

Massage therapies

Massage therapies reduce the swelling and inflammation, which occur in lower back pain. The chiropractor detects the damaged soft tissues and massages them to boost blood circulation and the natural healing abilities of your body. It also reduces muscle and tendon stiffness providing you with a better range of motion in the joints.

Heat and cold applications

Though sounds basic, it is highly effective in treating lower back pain if done appropriately. The chiropractor applies heat and cold alternately to bring you quick relief. Ice packs reduce the swelling while a heating pad helps reduce pain and restores optimum blood flow to the damaged area. The alternate applications promote faster healing.

Spinal adjustments are usually the main type of treatment people with lower back pain receive at chiropractic clinics. But, it may also be combined with the techniques mentioned above, based on your condition.

What to Expect From Your First Chiropractic Clinic Visit?

It is the same as you would expect from a physiotherapy clinic. The chiropractor first gathers every detail about your pain. How and when did your pain begin? Does it get worse after a specific activity? How would you rate your pain level? These sorts of questions help them decide the rest of the treatment process.

Next, they perform an exam to assess the mechanical and medical aspects of your pain. They may evaluate your muscle tone, gait, posture, how well you can bend or twist, etc.

The chiropractors prescribe the treatments based on the above-mentioned results.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Lower Back Pain?

Yes, chiropractic care is a safe and effective lower back pain treatment option. Some patients may feel a slight discomfort initially after the first session. But, that’s temporary and subsides after a while. You can visit a reliable chiropractic clinic whenever you experience the symptoms of back pain.

Research consistently shows that spinal manipulation, a core chiropractic technique, is generally safe when performed by trained professionals. Here’s what recent studies reveal:

According to a Systematic Review in JAMA (2017), spinal manipulative therapy for acute lower back pain provided modest improvements in both pain and function within the first six weeks. Minor side effects, such as temporary soreness or stiffness, were common, but serious adverse events were extremely rare.

Several RCTs (Randomized Controlled Trials) reported that chiropractic care for non-specific low back pain not only reduces pain but also improves mobility. Most participants reported no adverse effects. And those who did experienced only short-lived discomfort.

Another study revealed spinal manipulation can result in temporary and mild side effects. Patients with chronic problems are most likely to experience these side effects. Then common reactions include discomfort in the area of treatment, fatigue or headache. 

Are there any limitations?

While chiropractic care is effective in managing back pain for most people, it has limitations that you should be aware of. 

• Not effective for all causes of back pain

Chiropractors are trained to treat back pain that arises from neuromuscular conditions. That means your pain is related to the problems in your nerves, muscles and joints. However, chiropractic care is not designed to treat non-mechanical sources of pain such as infections, tumours or fractures. 

• Spinal manipulation is not suitable for all

It can be harmful to individuals with severe osteoporosis, infections in the spine or fractures. 

• Variable results for chronic pain

Chiropractic treatments are generally more effective on acute (short-term) low back pain than on chronic (long-term) pain. 

Chiropractic care is a recognized and effective approach for mechanical back pain. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The underlying cause of your pain and individual health status determine if chiropractic is the right fit for your condition. 

Final Thoughts, 

Low back pain is a modern, silent epidemic affecting people of all ages and fitness levels. While age is a common factor, other reasons that contribute to the pain are injuries, sedentary behaviours, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring the normal range of motion and flexibility in your back muscles and joints. The treatment is gentle, non-invasive and highly effective (except for some serious cases). Chiropractors are trained professionals who use spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy and exercises to reduce your pain and get you moving comfortably. They may combine other treatments like physiotherapy, massage therapy or laser therapy for a more comprehensive approach. At Physiotherapy First, our licensed chiropractor starts with a thorough physical examination and symptom evaluation. We decide whether to recommend chiropractic alone or with other conservative treatments based on your individual needs. 

FAQs

What kind of conditions does a chiropractor treat?

A chiropractor is trained to treat conditions related to your musculoskeletal system, which in turn affects the nervous system and overall health. Besides back pain, a chiropractor can also help with:

• Disc Herniation/Bulge
• Sciatica
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Hip and knee pain
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Scoliosis
• And more. 

A chiropractor’s first step is always a thorough diagnosis. If your condition is outside their scope of practice, a licensed and ethical chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate medical specialist.

How often do I need to see the chiropractor for my back pain?

The duration of treatments for each patient is different depending on what’s best for their complete recovery. Typically, acute cases need 2-3 sessions per week. For preventing back pain, at least 1 chiropractor session per month is recommended. If you are recovering from a surgery and hence the pain, you may need 1 session every week for easy recovery. 

Is chiropractic effective for herniated discs?

Chiropractic is usually effective in most cases of herniated discs. It is, however, confirmed after a thorough medical examination. The chiropractor uses gentle techniques to relieve nerve pressure, improve spinal mobility and reduce inflammation. Talk to your chiropractor to understand the underlying cause of your herniated disc and the effectiveness of this treatment. 

Who is better for back pain? Physiotherapist or Chiropractor?

Both offer relief and freedom to move painlessly. It is how they do that makes all the difference. A physiotherapist relieves back pain by restoring the strength and flexibility of your back muscles through exercises. A chiropractor offers relief by correcting spinal misalignments through adjustments.