Chronic Pain Relief

Chiropractors offer chronic pain relief through the use of non-invasive, drug-free therapies that aim to treat misaligned vertebrae or damaged spinal discs. Most patients who turn to chiropractics are seeking relief from chronic neck or back pain that may be the result of accidents, sports injuries, or muscle strains caused by simple, daily activities.

Defining Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that lasts for more than six weeks and usually has a sudden onset, unlike acute pain, which occurs in response to an injury, such as bumping into a wall or hitting the corner of a table. Acute pain will eventually fade. Chronic pain, on the other hand, can start suddenly, but will remain persistent. Pain that results from accidents and diseases may linger even after the source of the pain has diminished or disappeared, making it chronic. Once the pain begins, the body adapts and makes the chronic pain a habit that is difficult to break.

What causes chronic pain?

Chronic pain may arise from a number of sources. Most commonly, chronic pain is the result of an injury that does not completely heal, long-term diseases, or injuries to the nervous system – the network of fibers that sends messages and impulses from the brain to all other parts of the body while traveling through the spine. While there are many sources of pain, one thing that all chronic pain has in common is a state of injury or disease that has failed to completely resolve.

How can chiropractic care provide chronic pain relief?

Spinal manipulation is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment that is at the core of chiropractic care and a useful tool in providing chronic pain relief. During a spinal manipulation, the chiropractor aims to correct any misalignments along the spine, also known as spinal subluxations, which are thought to cause pain and interfere with nerve function.

Your chiropractor will first consult with you about your medical history, perform a thorough physical exam, and evaluate your spine to determine the cause of your chronic back pain. If any vertebral subluxations are detected, your chiropractor will most likely recommend treating the affected areas with a series of spinal manipulation treatments.

During a spinal manipulation, your chiropractor will place you in a specific position to target your affected areas. Patients are often positioned lying face down or on their side on a specially designed, padded chiropractic table. Using his or her hands, the chiropractor will apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint. The aim is to push it beyond its normal range of motion, but not outside of the range it is designed to move. It is common to hear a popping or cracking noise during this chiropractic treatment.

Some chiropractic physicians also use other therapies that use heat, water, light, massage, ultrasound, electric currents, and acupuncture. They may also prescribe chiropractic supports such as straps, tape, braces, or shoe inserts. To help patients achieve long-term health, doctors of chiropractic will recommend changes in lifestyle that affect the patient’s overall health and will often refer patients to other health practitioners to improve health. Most chiropractic physicians also counsel patients about health concepts such as nutrition, exercise, changes in lifestyle, and stress management.

Is chiropractic care effective?

Every patient will respond to treatment differently. Consult with your general physician before beginning any treatment to understand the risks and benefits associated with the treatment.

Keep in mind that it may take several chiropractic treatments before you begin to see results. This type of treatment involves a slow, gentle process to achieve the best results. By carefully manipulating your spine, your chiropractor can restore your vertebrae and discs to their proper alignment, alleviating any pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that may be causing you pain.

Chiropractors view the spine as the body’s neurological super highway, transmitting all the motor, sensory, and autonomic functions from the brain to all other parts of the body. For this reason, chiropractors believe that it is important that all of the spine’s vertebrae remain aligned, protecting the body’s nerves.

While chiropractors deal specifically with the spine, their approach to chronic pain relief and healthcare focuses on overall health and recognizes that many factors affect a patient’s well-being, including exercise, diet, rest, environment, and medical history. Along with spinal manipulation, chiropractors utilize natural, non-surgical treatments that rely on the body’s own regenerative ability.

If you are seeking chronic pain relief, consult with a chiropractor in your area to determine the cause of your pain and to discuss how you may benefit from chiropractic treatment.