Most Common Forms of Chiropractic Treatment for Back Pain – Part 2

Many people choose to ignore their back pain, hoping it will go away on its own. Sometimes this is the case. However, more often than not, the pain only gets worse. Before your pain gets to that point, Ultimate Health Clinic recommends making an appointment with a chiropractor. When you meet with a chiropractor, they will look for the source of your pain and use several methods of therapy to help relieve it. We’ve highlighted the physiological therapeutic measures most often used by chiropractors below.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to spread heat deep into the joints and soft tissues of a person’s back. The waves micro-massage the soft tissues and joints. This results in reduced back stiffness, spasms, and pain.

Heat & Cold

Chiropractors will often use both ice therapy and heat therapy to treat those who suffer from back pain. Ice is effective in numbing the nerves in the back for a short period, which is typically followed by a heating pad. The heat will help restore blood flow to the affected area, which encourages faster healing.

Exercise

Physical exercise programs that include back stretches and core strengthening routines will help reduce back pain.

Dietary Management

Sometimes back pain is due to a poor diet. Many chiropractors will offer a customized meal plan to help patients manage or reduce their pain. Some patients may also benefit from taking additional supplements following their spinal manipulation sessions.

Massage

Chiropractors have been using manual massage to improve circulation in the soft tissues of the back for decades. Massage helps to reduce inflammation and swelling due to back pain while boosting circulation and encouraging faster healing.

Hydrotherapy

This type of therapy uses the body’s natural reactions to cold and hot stimuli. Cold water is used to numb a person’s nerves, while heat is used to stimulate healing. By using water of varying temperatures and pressures, chiropractors can ultimately reduce a person’s back pain.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Chiropractors place electrodes on specific areas of the skin during this type of therapy. The electrical pulses created by the electrodes target various parts of the body to help reduce inflammation, stop muscle spasm, and relieve back pain.

Pelvic Stabilization

In some cases, there is a deficiency in the length of the legs, flat-footedness, or another form of instability that causes a person’s back pain. A chiropractor will suggest or prescribe various supports, inserts, or employ other corrective measures to assist with pelvic stabilization.

Ergonomics

A chiropractor may notice that back pain is caused by poor posture or other lifestyle issues. In this instance, a change in seating, work station, or other modifications may be suggested. A reduction or change in the activity that is causing the irritation may also be required for better results.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy uses energy particles that are transported via laser. After the laser has passed over the surface of the skin, the particles are absorbed by photoreceptors of the cell’s membrane. The cells capture the energy and transform it into biochemical energy. This biochemical process helps to increase circulation while decreasing swelling, inflammation, and back pain.

How We Can Help

Every patient is different. As a result, each client must be evaluated on a case by case basis before a treatment plan can be formed. Some of the discussed therapies may be more useful than others, and some may not be useful at all. At Ultimate Health Clinic, we will work to treat the true cause of the symptoms, not just the surface level issues. Our treatment plan will focus on the therapeutic measures that will provide the best results for your specific type pain. Give us a call at (905) 251-0162 to find out more about how we can help.