When your tooth hurts, you seek out a dentist. When a skin problem arises, a dermatologist can offer relief. For problems with the musculoskeletal system such as back pain, a chiropractic physician is your best option. Chiropractor back pain treatment plans are solely created on an individual basis, to fit each patient to their specific healthcare needs. There are many causes of back pain and many locations throughout the back where pain can arise.

Cervical Pain

The cervical spine is the region of the back that includes the spinal vertebrae from C1 to C7. This neck portion of the back can be injured from whiplash, sprains, strains and other forms of trauma and poor posture. A cervical spine fracture or a herniated disc will cause a tremendous amount of pain in the neck.

Thoracic Pain

The thoracic spine includes vertebrae beginning at T1 and extending to T12. This portion of the spine is the longest segment, covering most of the back beginning at the upper shoulders and extending to near the bottom of the ribcage. This large segment of the spine is the least flexible and because of this, back pain is less common in the thoracic spine.

Lumbar Spine

The lumbar spine contains the L1 through L5 vertebrae. It is this region of the spine that, when there is dysfunction or injury, will cause low back pain. Low back pain is very common and in most cases the cause of pain is not life-threatening. There are some rare medical conditions that do produce feelings of low back pain however, so it is important to seek treatment for persistent low back pain.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A chiropractic physician is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of back pain. The goal of chiropractic care to is eliminate the cause of the back pain whenever medically appropriate through conservative care options such as rehab, massage therapy and chiropractic manipulation. From a patient evaluation and physical examination, a chiropractic physician will determine if treatment is appropriate. There are some medical conditions that would prevent a chiropractor from beginning chiropractic care for a patient and in these instances, the patient would be referred to another medical specialist for care. For those patients that are indicated for chiropractic treatment plans, the length and type of care required for resolution of the back pain will be dependent on the severity and duration of the pain.

References Cited in this Article

www.spine-health.com                       www.medicinenet.com

About Spinal Decompression Therapy 

People suffering from a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, and face joint syndrome should consider spinal decompression therapy.  Patients can avoid back surgery if they choose to receive this chiropractic treatment.  Back surgery is often a painful experience and has many risks and complications.  It is best to avoid surgery if possible.  This type of treatment has been a breakthrough in the medical world because of its effective results and long term pain relief.  Spinal decompression therapy works by gently massaging and stretching the spine, removing strain off the discs and vertebra.  You should consider spinal decompression treatment if you are dependant on medications to relieve pain, limited to daily activities, received epidurals but don’t feel any pain relief, and/or considering surgery. 

Decompression Machine

The DRX 9000, a spinal decompression machine, is the most widely used treatment option in theU.S.  This specific machine focuses on relieving chronic pain caused by bulging and herniated discs.  During treatment, the machine will stretch segments of the spine to relieve tension on the affected nerves.  It will also help to properly align the spine.  Once the spine is realigned it improves the body’s range of motion.  Once the range of motion has improved, pain decreases because there is less pressure on the spine and joints.  The DRX9000 allows the vertebrae and damaged spinal discs a chance to heal because it frees up space between the two.  The machine includes a table that uses rollers and motors to adjust the spinal column at precise locations within the spine.  Tests preformed by the manufactures show an 88% success rate once treatment has been completed.  This machine also gives an alternative option to back surgery which leaves many patients with complications and problems in the long run.    

Costs

Spinal Decompression Therapy costs can range between $2000 – $6000 dollars, depending on where you go.  Also, it depends on what your insurance agrees to cover, this also varies person-to-person.  This amount of money may seem expensive, but when you consider all the other factors, it is relatively inexpensive.  If you considered having back surgery you would have to pay for the hospital and therapy costs and not to mention all the time off work you would have to take.  With spinal decompression treatment, you will not miss a day of work and you won’t have to cover hospital bills.  In addition, the risks of back surgery are very high and could cause complications.  The Journal of American Medical Association says there is no proof that surgery is more effective than non-invasive methods for patients with herniated discs and back pain.

Our nervous system is a complex system of nerve roots, peripheral nerves and electrical pathways and provides communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The role of the nervous system is to provide sensation to all areas of the body, signals that originate in the brain and travel to the appropriate location. Muscles and organs are innervated as well as our skin, giving us sensations or feelings at the surface of the skin. Innervations to the skin allow us to feel sensations of hot and cold as well as pain or different textures. Because the nervous system deals with pathways to transmit electrical signals, when a nerve is pinched the compression that is present can cause neurological problems felt wherever that specific nerve pathway is responsible to innervate. A pinched nerve can occur anywhere in the body and depending on the location, symptoms may vary. The cause of a pinched nerve can vary as well. It can be the result of a herniated disc in the spine which is the location of nerve roots and their point of exit into the body and it can be caused by spinal arthritis that can produce bone spurs which can compress the nerve roots. In other areas of the body, a pinched nerve can occur in the wrist at the location of the carpal tunnel, which houses the median nerve and can become compressed when the tunnel itself becomes inflamed.

Control and Improve the Symptoms

When a pinched nerve is present in the spine, symptoms will be present at the spinal level where the nerve compression has occurred. If the nerve has been compressed in the lumbar spine, symptoms may include numbness and weakness, pain and burning, electrical sensations or feelings of hot and cold into the buttocks and lower extremities. Some people may feel weakness and numbness with no pain involved while others may have the numbness and weakness and also experience pain. In some cases, a pinched nerve will heal on its own with simple at home care such as rest and anti-inflammatory medications if the pinched nerve is caused by minor injury or irritation. In other cases, medical intervention may be required to control and improve the symptoms and cause of the pinched nerve. Chiropractic care and physical therapy are excellent conservative care options to help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with a pinched nerve. It is important to communicate well with a chiropractic physician, relating all past injuries or work and posture habits, as well as any other current health problems such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. Diagnostic imaging may be needed at some point to locate the exact location of the pinched nerve and the amount of compression that is present between the vertebrae. If care does not produce any beneficial results, a referral may be made for another specialty to become involved in treatment.

References Cited in this Article

www.spineuniverse.com

www.cure-back-pain.org

Symptoms and Causes

Radiculopathy may include symptoms such as tingling, pain and loss of muscle control in the legs and arms.  The cause of the problem could be a pinched nerve resulting in poor blood circulation, herniated discs that apply a lot of pressure to various nerves, and bone spurs. Patients that do manual work or play contact sports are more likely to develop radiculopathy than those who have little physical activity in their lives.  Those with a family history of spinal problems or radiculopathy are more likely to develop the condition.   

Treatment

Most patients can control and relieve their symptoms with natural treatment such as chiropractic care or physical therapy.  Patients response generally well to treatment and will often see positive results in about 6-12weeks.  If natural treatment doesn’t work correctly than the patient may benefit from an epidural steroid injection.  In order to determine where the injection will be placed the physician will take x-rays and inject the steroid between the spine and affected nerves.  If symptoms are severe there is always the option to have surgery.  The objective of surgery is to remove the decompression from the nerve.  Doctors may use a procedure called discectomy to remove a small portion of the herniated disc that causes pressure build up. 

Chiropractic Care for Herniated Disc

Chiropractors believe that back pain and tenderness is caused by restricted movement in the spine.  Spinal manipulation is a technique that restores mobility in the spine and is used for certain types of back pain.  Some types of spinal manipulation will provide pain relief for a herniated disc, but it some cases it may not help at all.  Many medical doctors do not recommend chiropractic treatment as a solution to a herniated disc.  The treatment will provide the patient with temporary pain relief, but not long term pain relief.  During a spinal manipulation treatment, the physician will apply pressure along the spine, causing a cracking or popping noise to occur.  This is a painless process that may or may not provide pain relief for patients with a herniated disc.  

Acupuncture will Temporary Relieve Pain

Acupuncture is an alternative treatment to pain medication and is often used for the treatment of back or neck pain.  Specialists will place a long thin needle into the acupuncture points that stimulate energy flow throughout the body.  When energy is circulated throughout the body, the patient will feel healthier and stronger.  They will also notice a decrease in pain after several sessions that treat acute back pain.  Acupuncture is a much healthier treatment method than pain medication as it is an all natural method with no side effects.  Patients with a herniated disc will need to seek several sessions of acupuncture before feeling relief.  Acupuncture isn’t always viewed as a cure for a herniated disc, but it will relieve back pain for a temporary amount of time.  If patients are looking for short-term relief, than acupuncture treatment is the right method for them.  The only thing that may push patients away from acupuncture treatment is the price.

What is a Bulging Disc?

It takes a period of time to develop a bulging disc.  Bulging discs don’t always cause pain so they may only be found during routine testing or a diagnostic image test.  Generally, patients with a bulging disc experience less pain than those with a herniated disc, unless the bulging disc becomes herniated or extends beyond a nerve.  Bulging discs usually only because a problem if it causes pain or ruptures.  Though bulging discs are mostly common in the back, they sometimes appear in the neck area.  If pain occurs in the lower back, it may also happen in the legs. 

Chiropractic Care for Bulging Disc  

Some people may seek chiropractic care as treatment for their bulging disc.  Patients who aren’t experiencing extreme pain can seek a chiropractor’s care instead of undergoing surgery.  To treat a bulging disc, the chiropractor will perform a gentle spinal manipulation to realign the spine and reduce the amount of pressure on the spinal area.  Typically, this procedure will relieve pain for many patients.  If patient does not respond to chiropractic care after 12 treatment sessions, then he/she should seek alternative options.  Back surgery can relieve severe pain caused by dense muscles that can lead to herniated disc.

What is a Bulging Disc? It takes a period of time to develop a bulging disc.  Bulging discs don’t always cause pain so they may only be found during routine testing or a diagnostic image test.  Generally, patients with a bulging disc experience less pain than those with a herniated disc, unless the bulging disc becomes herniated or extends beyond a nerve.  Bulging discs usually only because a problem if it causes pain or ruptures.  Though bulging discs are mostly common in the back, they sometimes appear in the neck area.  If pain occurs in the lower back, it may also happen in the legs. 

 Chiropractic Care for Bulging Disc

Some people may seek chiropractic care as treatment for their bulging disc.  Patients who aren’t experiencing extreme pain can seek a chiropractor’s care instead of undergoing surgery.  To treat a bulging disc, the chiropractor will perform a gentle spinal manipulation to realign the spine and reduce the amount of pressure on the spinal area.  Typically, this procedure will relieve pain for many patients.  If patient does not respond to chiropractic care after 12 treatment sessions, then he/she should seek alternative options.  Back surgery can relieve severe pain caused by dense muscles that can lead to herniated disc.      

Causes of Back Pain

 There can be a number of causes that lead to back pain. Depending on how you injured your back, pain can occur in the upper, middle and lower regions of the back.  Pain can result from a herniation, a disc putting pressure on a nerve, damaged facet joints and overuse of muscles and ligaments.  Lower back pain is often caused by injuries or a strain in the back muscle. Poor posture and overuse of the back muscles cause strain on the muscles leading to upper back pain.  Many people who have desk jobs encounter some type of back pain during their careers.  Trauma from accidents such as whiplash is also another explanation for upper back pain.  The most serious cases of upper back pain include a ruptured disc or osteoporosis, a disease where the bones become very weak and can shatter from the weight of the spine.  If back pain is affecting your everyday lifestyle, it may be helpful to seek a chiropractor or physician to get you back on track.  Some doctors may suggest back surgery, but in most cases, surgery is avoidable.  Chiropractic treatment is a great alternative to surgery or prescription drugs.  There can be many complications to back surgery, and pain medication can be very addicting.  In addition, medications mask the pain rather than getting to the root of the problem.

Try a Chiropractor! 

Try a consultation with a local chiropractor.  During the consultation, the chiropractor will conduct a physical health assessment.  The physician will ask you questions about your past and if you’ve ever had any injuries to your back.  He or she will probably check your spine and perform gentle movements on different regions of your back.  Once the chiropractor determines your condition, treatment will begin.  A common chiropractic technique is a spinal adjustment which is used to fix the misalignment of the vertebrae in the spine.  When misalignment occurs, the patient will begin to have restricted movement in the spine and back.  Chiropractors believe that restricted movement in the spine is the cause of back pain.  In order to treat the constrained spine, chiropractors use the spinal manipulation technique.  The goal is to improve mobility within the spine, resulting in decreased back pain.  During spinal manipulation, physicians will apply force to the joint with their hands.  The forced applied by the physician will push the spine beyond its typical range of motion.  This is a painless process, but it can cause mild discomfort for some patients.  After several treatments, you should start to feel a decrease in any pain you’ve been encountering.    

Diagnosing the Slipped Disc

To determine if you have a slipped disc, the chiropractor will ask you questions pertaining to your medical history.  He/she may also take x-rays or perform orthopedic or neurological exam which will determine if you have weak muscles or a specific problem area.  Chiropractors will also perform a thorough examination on your posture.  Poor posture can lead to chronic or serious back pain.  Physicians use motion techniques to locate the restrictions in the spinal joint, and they will also do a series of tests to determine if you have a leg that is shorter than the other.  Depending on the results of the x-rays the chiropractor may require an MRI of the back. 

Treatment for Slip Disc

The most important question the chiropractor must answer is “what kind of injury has occurred?”  Once the doctor has an answer to that question, he/she will determine the proper treatment for the condition.  Most discs are not considered serious and can as small as a slight push or bulge against a nerve.  Herniated discs occur when a part of the disc breaks completely away from the fibrous rings.  Many people believe chiropractors “pop” discs back into place, but this is untrue.  It is a simple painless process that requires chiropractors to use low force.  You will be required to receive several treatments for a slip disc and the physician will evaluate your progress at each session.  If your condition doesn’t get better after several sessions, the chiropractor will refer you to a specialist. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a safe alternative to prescription drugs and surgery.  Acupuncture therapy is a natural solution with no negative side effects and is viewed as an effective treatment for many patients.  Although acupuncture treats all kinds of back pain, it will not cure a herniated disc.  If the herniated disc is the main source of pain, the patient will actually have to receive acupuncture treatment for a long time to provide any kind of permanent pain relief.  What acupuncture can do for a herniated disc is temporarily relieve pain and decrease the amount of discomfort one may feel.  If the patient is looking to cure herniated disc pain, it is suggested to look into spinal decompression as it is a more effective choice. 

Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment to treat different types of conditions such as herniated discs and degenerative disc disease.  Treatment works by gently stretching the muscles and relieving pressure from compressed discs.  Studies have shown spinal decompression to be successful at long term pain relief.  This is an excellent effective alternative to surgery because surgery has many risks and possible side effects.  If spinal decompression doesn’t work and the patient has tried other methods to treat herniated disc pain, it is likely they have been misdiagnosed and should seek a second opinion from a physician.