I have been looking for a natural treatment for my lower back pain. The pain is sometimes unbearable, but at others it only aches. I have been doing yoga and pilates, but I still have back pain. The chiropractor helps, but it hurts so much to get an adjustment that i don’t know which is worse. Any suggestions? I’d like to be free of the that the chiropractor charges.

San Francisco ? Chiropractors are licensed health professionals who treat common musculoskeletal conditions primarily through manual methods. Although there are several chiropractic techniques, they all center on the spinal adjustment. Also called spinal manipulation, a spinal adjustment is a maneuver done by hand to impart movement to a joint. It can be used to move vertebrae in the cervical (neck), thoracic (torso area), and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. The purpose of the adjustment is two-fold: to impart movement to a restricted or immobile joint and to help re-align it relative to the rest of the joints in the spine. A third benefit is the stimulation of spinal nerves involved in muscle tone. The benefits of a properly aligned, flexible spine are better movement, balance, and nerve function.

Chiropractors contend that the spinal column plays a large role in maintaining health and preventing injuries. Since the spine is the structure on which other parts of the body are attached, it follows that any structural problems with the spine will in some way affect other parts of the body. More importantly, the spine encases the spinal cord, which is an extension of the brain. If the bones (vertebrae) of the neck are out of proper alignment, it may place direct pressure on the spinal cord. Since the brain and spinal cord control muscle function, sensory function, and organ function it follows that pressure to the spinal cord may adversely interfere with these processes, leading to symptoms and diseases like back pain, headaches, light headedness, and indigestion.

A visit to a chiropractor will start out like a typical visit to any doctor: the patient will be asked to fill out a patient history. Here the patient will describe in detail the problem she is experiencing: how it happened, when it happened, how often it is felt, how severe; related symptoms, and so on. The doctor will try to pinpoint the causation by asking other questions involving any hobbies/ activities, diet, work environment, and medical history of the patient?s immediate family members.

Next, vital signs may be taken: heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, pulse rate. And depending on the presenting symptoms and complaints, certain orthopedic and neurological tests may be performed. These are tests used to locate the structures involved in the condition and often attempt to provoke the symptoms. For example, if the patient were to come in for low back pain, the chiropractor may conduct a straight-leg raise test, where the doctor raises the leg of the patient as she is lying down on her back. If it causes low back pain, the test is positive for a herniated disc. The chiropractor may also conduct Kemp?s Test, where the standing patient bends backwards and twists to one side. Pain going down the leg is positive for disc herniation on that side. There are orthopedic tests to evaluate problems affecting the neck, thorax, pelvis, and extremity joints. The chiropractor will also palpate, or feel the spine for signs of spinal dysfunction such as joint restrictions, muscle spasm, trigger points, edema, hyperemia, and changes in skin temperature.

Neurological tests are done to evaluate the motor (strength) and sensory function of major nerves. These tests include the cranial nerve tests to test hearing, smell, taste, eye movement, pupil dilation, swallowing, facial muscles, and others; deep tendon reflexes (using the reflex hammer) to test the major nerve roots in the upper and lower extremities; muscle strength tests, and dermatomal tests to evaluate the sensory component of the nerves and nerve roots.

An X-ray of the area may be taken and compared to the exam findings. If the X-ray study is inconclusive, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be taken to visualize soft tissue structures such as the discs, muscles, spinal cord, and nerve roots.

The chiropractor will then correlate all the exam findings, come up with a diagnosis, and prescribe a treatment plan for the patients. This may include a series of spinal adjustments, physiotherapy such as ice/heat, electric muscle stimulation, ultrasound, and low level laser therapy; and exercises. Often, the chiropractor may suggest supplements and dietary measures to help prepare the body for healing the injured area. The treatment sessions are usually 2-3 visits per week for 2-4 weeks, reducing in frequency until the condition has resolved. Home care is usually prescribed after the acute (painful) phase has subsided. This can include special exercises, home traction, and supports.

So that is what a typical chiropractic experience involves. If you are experiencing musculoskeletal pain or symptoms that are not resolving on their own, calling a chiropractor would be a good place to start.

By: Dr. Dan Perez

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Dan Perez, D.C.

San Francisco Chiropractor

311 California St. Ste. 300

San Francisco, CA 94111

415.627.9077

Doctors often prescribe a variety of exercises, diets, stretch exercises, etc to relieve back pain. According to statistics, more than 200 million Americans alone suffer back pain. Some patients endure surgery, while others find ways to minimize the pain.

When pain is chronic, it makes it difficult to cope with daily duties. Most pain in the back starts at the lower region. With so much suffering, many people make a hobby out of finding relief. Back pain mild or chronic can slow activities, mobility, and so on. While there are, many medical causes and sometimes-mysterious causes the fact is the majority of people in the world fail to maintain ROM of the joints by stretching and exercising regularly.

While the large percentages of people soon recover naturally from back pain, others find relief by modifying their weight, adjusting sitting arrangements, and stretching. Some of these people will sit inappropriately in chairs, or on couches until they lower back finally dents, forming the shape of the chair position they had sit. These people often spend a lifetime indulging in over-the-counter meds, such as analgesics. If they can align the back with stretch exercises, and visit a Chiropractor, the pain can be relieved.

Still, other people suffer life-long back pain due to injuries, trauma, diseases, and so on. The downside is that these people rarely get the treatment they deserve, since it is rarely recommended by doctors. In short, doctors will often recommend over-the-counter medications, i.e. painkillers to resolve the problem. Doctors rarely tell patients to exercise, diet, etc. Sometimes you may hear, ?Loose some weight,? yet the doctor will rarely tell the patient how it is done.

Painkillers work to eliminate inflammation and sometimes pain, yet what doctors fail to tell the patients is that some of these painkillers are in fact killers. In addition, painkillers do not have the same affect on all persons. For sure, some painkillers will reduce pain for some, while others may continue hurting. The right way to get the best relief possible is to consult a chiropractor or a physiotherapist. They treat injuries and recurrent pains affecting the entire musculoskeletal system, including the spine, pelvis, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle.

By: Nick Warne

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To get relief from back pain, visit Burlington Chiropractor, Dr. Kevin McIntyre and Dr. McDowall at Burlington Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Clinic. Call us at (905) 220-7858.

With the onset of cold weather, a brand new danger lurks it’s ugly head for those with underlying structural problems associated with their spine. The drop in temperature can affect our hydration levels and the overall tone of our muscles, but more importantly ice is everywhere and can lead to lots of back problems from the trauma… even if you don’t actually fall down.

How can this be? Let’s start with the fall. It’s pretty obvious that if you fall down, you will likely affect your spine. The impact and shock of hitting the ground can move things out of place. It’s that movement of vertebrae out of place that can cause spinal problems. The effect may not occur right away. You may just notice that “something’s not right,” but not enough that you decide you absolutely must do something about it right away.

It’s these warnings that are the easiest to ignore. Many times people will ignore the warning signs and simply wait until they are bending down to do a simple task like picking up socks when they unexpectedly cannot move. They are doing something “dangerous” like throwing a small pillow when their back seizes up. These are the types of stories I hear everyday.

The overlooked trauma is when you don’t actually fall. You come close, maybe grab on to something nearby. Still, your muscles tense up, you get scared, and then thank your lucky stars that you didn’t actually fall on to the ground. It’s these “near misses” that can still affect your spine.

That sudden seizing up of the muscles can also throw things out of place. The muscles attach to the spine and when they tense up, knot up, or spasm they will cause the joint to stop functioning as it is designed. Time to see the chiropractor.

The chiropractor will find the areas of your spine that have moved out of place, help move them back into place, and restore the body’s normal function. The relief happens pretty quickly in most cases. A problem caught early is always easier to take care of before the crisis occurs. Not to mention how much a frozen back can ruin your entire week.

By: Philip V. Cordova, D.C.

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Dr. Philip Cordova is a chiropractor in Houston, Texas. More information about this seeing a local chiropractor in Southington, CT can be found on at www.CostanzoChiropractic.com