Lower back pain can be caused by a variety of different factors.  Each patient’ treatment options will vary and will depend on the level of pain and diagnosis made by the Chiropractor or medical physician they see.  Some patients may experience persistent pain that is due to a muscle strain or sprain in the lower back region, while other patients may experience back pain due to poor posture.  Other activities such as improper lifting, exercising without stretching or having an underlying condition can all attribute to patients having lower back pain.  Each diagnosis is different and every patient’s recovery time will vary depending on the severity of the pain and initial diagnosis made by the doctor.  

Chiropractic care

Patients that experience acute pain can generally get relief by exercise and slight changes in their daily habits.  In most cases surgery is not needed for acute lower back pain.   Another lower back treatment for patients that are experiencing acute pain is chiropractic care.  Chiropractic care is a great option for patients because it doesn’t require the patient to take medication or on site injections.  It’s great for someone who isn’t looking for a long term medication plan, but wants a natural, safe treatment for their pain.  A chiropractor can assess your underlying issues and make necessary adjustments to realign the lower back into its natural position.  A patient may be seen once a week or more depending on the severity of the issue.  It’s also important that the patient take home the chiropractor’s at home care instructions to ensure the adjustments hold their positioning longer. 

Surgery

Patients that are experiencing more serious or chronic back pain may have to resort to surgery.  This is always the last resort when all other options have been exhausted for the patient.  If chiropractic treatments are not remedying your problem, the chiropractor will refer you to a medical doctor who will determine if you need surgery.

Chiropractice, also known as Chiropractic, care should only be performed by real Chiropractor. Chiropractors have to go through seven years of Chiropractic schooling and take all the necessary state board licensure testing in order to practice Chiropractic care.  You should never receive adjustments from a massage therapist or friend, unless they are also a state licensed Chiropractor.  Chiropractic care has been around for thousands of years. It started out in 1895 by Dr. Palmer and has evolved over the years. 

Today’s Chiropractic care

Today, there are several different machines and extra tools that can be used to assist the patients in their recovery time.  Today there are moist heat machines that help to assist the patients in relaxing before receiving their adjustments.  There are also traction devices which assist in the adjustments holding better along with other machines to assist in the removal of built up scar tissue around the joints.  Each Chiropractor will have different machines and extra tools available to the patient if needed.   Chiropractic care is recommended for all age groups, babies, teenagers, the elderly, and adults.  They can all benefit from receiving chiropractic care and adjustments.  Most Chiropractors also take all major insurance cards.  Most insurance companies support Chiropractic care and have an allotment you can use each year.  Some Chiropractors also have in house massage therapists on staff.  This is another benefit to the patient as some insurance policies also allow for an allotment for massages through your Chiropractor.  You can call your insurance company to get more information on the allotment you are allowed per year, and which doctors are covered through your insurance policy.

Salary Range

In April of 2009, the average salary for a chiropractor was reported at $85,273.  Chiropractors in the 75^th percentile made $103,218 per year, and those in the 25^th percentile made $68,791 per year.  The salary for a chiropractor practicing in IL averages roughly $40 per hour.  Like many other professions, earnings are generally low in the beginning, but increase as the chiropractor builds experience and a positive reputation in the community.  On average, chiropractors who work for an employer earn less than those who own their own practice.  Chiropractic salaries are influence by various components such as geographic location, education, and experience.  The more education and experience the physician has, the more money he/she can make.   

Career Outlook

Chiropractors are viewed as natural healers because they avoid surgery and prescription medications.  Many health-conscious Americans are utilizing chiropractic care as an alternative treatment for neck or back pain.  For this reason, chiropractic careers are expected to increase by 14 percent through 2015.  There are more than 55,000 practicing chiropractors in the U.S. and the profession is expected to expand.  A small number of chiropractors work as college instructors or conduct research at facilities.  As this field grows, it may become harder for some people to find a job, therefore it’s important that chiropractic students advance their education as much as possible.           

Over the years Chiropractic health care has risen in every community and is becoming a modern health care alternative to allopathic medicine.  Chiropractic began in 1895 with Daniel David Palmer (D.D Palmer) in Iowa.  He is known as the developer of Chiropractic, and started Palmer College in 1897.  His first patient was a janitor names Harvey Lilliard, who was deaf.  In 1906, D.D Palmer’s son B.J Palme,r fondly known as the developer, of Chiropractic took over the college.  B.J accepted using x-ray in conjunction with chiropractic, contrary to his father. 

Chiropractic College

Currently, there are 16 accredited colleges of Chiropractic by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE).  Chiropractic students take over 75 courses and 4,500 hours of instruction to receive the doctorate of Chiropractic degree.  After completion of their coursework or while in school, students sit for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) examinations.  There are 4 primary tests in addition to Physiotherapy and an elective test for Acupuncture.  Students must have a satisfactory score set by this board or the exams must be re-administered.  Every state accepts these scores and some states require further testing in their individual state along with background checks. 

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic health care is now prominent in independent offices, hospitals, gyms, wellness centers, physical therapy centers, and sports rehabilitation facilities.  Chiropractic is one of the fastest growing careers according to “Health Guide USA, America’s Online Health Resource Guide.”  Chiropractic can assist in the treatment of common conditions like low back pain, headaches, ear infections, sinusitis, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, disc herniations, scoliosis, whiplash, and many more. 

When applying to a Chiropractic college they will require you to do some homework, if you will.  First, many institutions will ask for the following as Chiropractic education requirements: a personal history and indication of why you want to be a Chiropractor, an indication that you understand the field you would like to enter into, your academic background and how it has prepared you for future success, and your academic strengths.  They will also expect a letter of recommendation from a Chiropractor, massage therapist, health care professional, or college instructor, all high school and college transcripts. 

Chiropractic Education

A chiropractic education can be divided into a 10-trimester or 12-trimester program and some schools offer quarterly programs.  While in school each student will finish a various, rigorous classes and 4, 575 clock hours.  This does not include any elective technique courses the student chooses to take.  While in school the student must also pass entrance and exit OSCE’s.  These are objective subjective clinical examinations which prepare the student for the clinical setting as well as the part 4 practical examination given by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).  The NBCE enforces Chiropractic students to take these examinations because every state accepts them.  They include Part I which covers the basic sciences and consists of 6 tests at 110 questions each, Part 2 which covers x-ray, diagnostic and clinical procedures which has the same number of tests as Part I, Part 3 which is 2 individual tests about clinical application and x-ray, and Part 4 which is the practical exam where you put all the skills together.  The NBCE also offers a Physical Therapy examination.

There are thousands of Chiropractic clinics available around the world.  Every chiropractor’s approach is unique and different.  Some Chiropractic clinics focus on sports injuries or sports rehabilitation.  They may work on athletes or people who train for marathons or triathlons more than others.  You may want to consult with your friends, neighbors or family to acquire a referral for a chiropractor in your area, as they may know of a good local Chiropractor who can be trusted. 

Locations

Chiropractic clinics are located within a number of different areas.  A chiropractor can be located within doctors’ offices, rehabilitation centers, physical therapy clinics or even some hospitals or back specialty care clinics.

Therapies

Every Chiropractor’s approach is different.  Some Chiropractors will use different machines to assist in the recovery time, while others only use adjustments and traction devices to hold the adjustments.  Some Chiropractors may also assist in diet and nutrition.  They may have different programs available to patients who are struggling with their diet and nutrition needs.  Some Chiropractic clinics also offer on-site massage therapy. This is great before or after receiving the adjustments.  The massage therapist works side by side with the Chiropractor.  Your chiropractor can communicate the areas that need further assistance or attention. 

Insurance

Massage and chiropractic care may be covered by most your insurance policy.  You can call ahead to see if your Chiropractor or in house massage therapist will be covered by that particular insurance company.   Usually co-pays range anywhere from ten dollars and up depending on the actual insurance policy allowance for Chiropractic care.  You can call your insurance to find out how much is covered yearly or monthly for your chiropractic needs.

Unnoticed Injuries

Almost 3 million people are injured from car accidents every year and nearly half these injuries are permanent.  Some injuries are not diagnosed or treated, leading to more problems in the long run.  After a car accident, a driver may appear uninjured, but in several months, that person may feel the affects of the accident.  Individuals may experience tension headaches, stiff joints, neck pain, or back pain.  If left untreated, these symptoms may get worse over time.  Many people do not get diagnosed and mask the pain with braces and pain medications that do not resolve the problem.  The most efficient way to reduce pain from a car accident is to visit a chiropractor. 

Visit to the Chiropractor

On your first visit to the chiropractor, he/she will take x-rays of the injured area to diagnose the problem and select the proper treatment.  It is surprising as to how misaligned some individual’s necks may become after a car accident.  To reduce pain, chiropractors can realign your neck by spinal manipulation, muscle stimulation, and exercise techniques.  This treatment is effective because it corrects the problem rather than prescribing medications to mask the pain.  It is a noninvasive treatment, as there is no surgery involved.  Chiropractic treatment is safe for everyone and it’s strongly encouraged that everyone gets checked out by a chiropractor.  It is wise to visit a chiropractor after a car accident to ensure that all hidden injuries will not occur in the long run.  Many times insurance companies will pay for chiropractic treatment if the injuries are related to a car accident. 

During a spinal adjustment, a patient may feel a crack or hear a pop in their back.  Research shows that the popping noise is caused from small pockets of air in the tissue fluid that surround the joint.  The air pockets ‘pop’ when the joint tissue is stretched during a spinal adjustment.  The procedure does not cause any serious pain, but the patient may experience sore or tight muscles after treatment.  After 2 to 3 more sessions, the patient will experience an improved range of motion in the spine and more movement in the lower back.  Pain will subside in the problem areas as sessions continue.  Many chiropractors will explain different exercises and techniques for bending to prevent pain from reoccurring.

Benefits

Chiropractic spinal adjustments have proven to be safe and effective for treating lower back pain. Patients can look to chiropractic treatment as a natural method of healing as opposed to prescription drugs or surgery.  The chiropractor will apply force with his or her hands to the subluxed part of the spine.  The adjustment will correct vertebral subluxations and decrease pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, and tension. 

Spine pain can be a result of many different factors.  Some patients have spinal pain due to previous conditions while others have a recent strain or sprain.  Some patients may also experience spinal pain due to another underlying condition called spinal stenosis.  Patients will typically be given a treatment plan that will vary with the level of pain.  If you are experiencing continuing back pain within the spinal region, it’s vital for you to seek medical attention as soon as possible.  You may chose to visit your primary care physician or a pain management clinic such as a chiropractor or doctor who specializes in pain management.

Treatment Options

Each doctor will have a different approach to your treatment plan.   A primary care doctor may be able to prescribe pain medication or refer you to a specialist or physical therapist if needed.  A Chiropractor will typically x-ray the patient along with adjusting the spine back into its natural position.  A Chiropractor may use a series of medical devices or traction equipment to help realign your spine and neck.  They may also give you equipment to use at home.  Generally this equipment can assist the patient in holding their adjustments.  The Chiropractor may also give the patient a list of stretches and exercises they can do to assist in this process. A pain management clinic is another option a patient can look into.  Generally there is a doctor of osteopath on board, along with a back specialist doctor, and they can offer a patient different alternatives and methods to cure their spinal pain.  In-house injections may be used along with implants or even disc decompression treatments.  This is may benefit someone who is suffering from spinal stenosis or spinal pain if more conservative approaches do not achieve the desired results.  These methods are not for everyone, so it’s important to consult with your chiropractor first to ensure that you are taking the right approach to looking into alternative medical treatments.

Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition that results from a vertebra slipping forward towards the vertebra below. When this disorder occurs in children, the condition is referred to as a birth defect. In adults, spondylolisthesis is typically the result of degenerative changes such as arthritis, but can also be caused by stress fractures, certain bone diseases, or injury. Symptoms may range from no symptoms at all to severe pain and discomfort. Typically, the symptoms felt include muscle tightness, low back pain, pain at the location of the affected vertebra and possibly pain into the thighs and buttocks. Nerve damage causing radiating pain into the lower extremities has been reported as well. A person suffering with spondylolisthesis may end up with increased lordosis and eventually kyphosis.

Treatment

Conservative care is generally successful for spinal relief in most patients, with an 80% success rate. A chiropractor will perform a physical examination as well as diagnostic imaging to find the location of the affected vertebra. Depending on the location and severity of the dysfunction, a treatment plan will be made. Most often, patients will undergo physical therapy strengthening exercises to help stabilize the area. A back brace may also be indicated in certain situations to minimize hyperextension. In some cases, conservative care is not effective and surgery may be required. If left untreated, spondylolisthesis may cause chronic nerve compression and pain or permanent damage to the spinal nerves which may produce paralysis of the lower extremities.

References Cited in this Article

www.about.com

www.spine-health.com

www.spineuniverse.com

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