What causes Back Pain?
Back pain is a very common complaint. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 80% of all Americans will have low back pain at least once in their lives. Back pain is a common reason for absence from work and doctor visits. Pain in the lower back may be linked to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, lower back muscles, abdomen and pelvic internal organs, and the skin around the lumbar area. Pain in the upper back may be due to disorders of the aorta, tumors in the chest, and spine inflammation.
How is Back Pain Relieved through Chiropractic?
A chiropractor first takes a medical history, performs an examination, and may use lab tests or diagnostic imaging to determine if treatment is appropriate for your back pain. If he finds the cause is a "fixated joint" and a "pinched nerve" then you are a candidate for chiropractic care. The treatment plan will involve a series of manual spinal "adjustments" in which the doctor manipulates the joints, using a controlled, sudden force, to improve range of motion.
Does Chiropractic work for Back Pain Relief?
Many studies have been done to establish the effectiveness of Chiropractic Care for Back Pain Relief. Here are just a few, with their summaries:
In a recent study funded by the National Institute of health that addressed back and neck pain, Chiropractic Care was found to be more than twice as effective as medication for pain relief in both the short term and long term. (ACP) These results came as no surprise to many physicians, as (to quote Dr. Lee Green, professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan told ABC News) "Neck pain is a mechanical problem, and it makes sense that mechanical treatment works better than a chemical one." (ABCNews)
Studies dating back to the 1970's consistently show that Chiropractic Care effectively relieves back pain. (NIH) In fact, it has been found to be so effective that even conservative organizations such as the US military are incorporating Chiropractic Care into military treatment facilities. (NCBI)