Lower Back Pain: How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Are you suffering and wondering, “Should I go to a chiropractor for lower back pain?” 

When you are suffering from lower back pain, it can be difficult to know what type of treatment may be best for your condition. 

Should you go to a chiropractor for lower back pain? Or should you seek out medical attention? 

Let’s take a look at some benefits that chiropractic care has to offer as well as if it may be a good option for you.

Table of Contents

• Should I See a Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain?
• Can a Chiropractor Get Rid of Lower Back Pain?
• Can a Chiropractor Make Your Back Worse?
• When Is a Chiropractor Good for Lower Back Pain? 5 Circumstances When Chiropractic Care May Be Beneficial
• 4 Common Chiropractic Methods Used to Treat Lower Back Pain
• How Often Should You Go to a Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain?
• Cascade Spine & Injury: Providing Patients Relief From Lower Back Pain

Should I See a Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain?

Yes! Chiropractic care is often the first line of treatment for mechanical lower back pain, according to the American Chiropractic Association. 

According to a 2006 medical study, researchers found that chiropractic care was more effective in treating lower back pain than physical therapy. 

The study also stated that patients who underwent chiropractic care reported less pain and better functionality compared to those receiving standard medical treatment for their condition.

It has been shown time and again that seeing a doctor of chiropractic is often the best option for lower back pain because:

• A chiropractor can offer natural, non-invasive treatments for lower back pain.
• Chiropractors are trained in how the spine works and its relationship to the rest of your body.
• If you have a pinched nerve or spinal misalignment, a chiropractor may be able to help relieve some of that pressure.
• Chiropractors often use techniques like massage therapy, stretching exercises, and postural realignment to provide relief from lower back pain.
• Many people who suffer from chronic low back pain find relief by seeing a chiropractor regularly.
• Visiting a chiropractor is more affordable than most other types of treatments since it doesn’t require surgery or medication.

If you are wondering if a chiropractor can help your lower back pain, then it may be time to schedule an appointment with one of our expert doctors at Cascade Spine & Injury Center.

Can a Chiropractor Get Rid of Lower Back Pain?

Most often, yes —When you go to a chiropractor for lower back pain, they can most likely help relieve some of that pressure by using massage therapy and stretching. 

They might also provide postural realignment so your spine is more aligned, which relieves stress on joints caused by improper posture while sitting or standing.

Can a Chiropractor Make Your Back Worse?

No —There is no evidence suggesting that chiropractic adjustments can make your back worse over time. 

Many studies demonstrate just the opposite: Chiropractic care can actually reduce symptoms like lower back pain and improve function in the long term.

When You Shouldn’t Go to a Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain

The only time you shouldn’t visit a chiropractor first is if you have an emergent issue, such as a pinched nerve that causes weakness in the leg or numbness in the groin. 

These types of pain may require immediate surgery.

When Is a Chiropractor Good for Lower Back Pain? 5 Circumstances When Chiropractic Care May Be Beneficial

People are constantly looking for ways to relieve their lower back pain. 

Although popping a few pills may work in the short term, it’s not always the best option. 

While drugs can help with some types of pain, they do nothing to stop or prevent it from happening again. 

This is why many people turn to chiropractic care when they want something more long-term and effective than prescriptions. 

If you’re wondering when to see a chiropractor for lower back pain, read on to learn about five circumstances where it may be a good idea to get your spine checked out by a professional. 

#1: You Have Mechanical Low Back Pain

The majority of low back pain is mechanical, which indicates the source of the pain may be triggered by movements of the spinal column from …

• Gravity
• Tension
• Compression; and
• Strain

…which are examples of mechanical forces. 

These forces in the spine rise and fall depending on whether you engage in static or active movement.

Chiropractic therapy might help the body regain a balance between these forces when there is mechanical low back pain.

#2: You Have Lower Back Stiffness From Extended Sitting

A lot of people find sitting for too long can cause stiffness in the lower back. 

If you …

• Have a sedentary job
• Spend a lot of time sitting down; or
• Have are recovering from an injury

… your spine doesn’t have to work as hard to keep itself upright and stable against gravity’s pull.

This lack of movement begins to affect other muscles around the area, including those that support your belly organs, hips, and thighs.

Chiropractic care may be beneficial in relieving lower back pain caused by prolonged sitting by detecting body imbalances and receiving specialized treatment.

#3: You’re Experiencing Pain in the Hard Tissue of Your Lower Back

Lower back pain that is experienced in the hard tissue of the spine may be caused by several things. 

The most common cause for this type of discomfort includes:

• A herniated disc, which can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and other surrounding soft tissues
• Spinal stenosis or another condition affecting your spinal canal
• Bone disease like osteoarthritis

All of these conditions can be relieved with chiropractic therapy by using targeted, precise adjustments to align the spine and relieve stress on surrounding nerves. 

Are you still wondering, “Should I go to a chiropractor for lower back pain?”

Contact Cascade Spine and Injury to schedule an appointment with a chiropractic professional.

#4: You Have Sciatica Pain

Sciatica is a common symptom associated with low back pain that affects the sciatic nerve. 

The sciatic nerve starts at your lumbar spine and extends down to your legs, providing movement to muscles in both areas. 

When this nerve becomes pinched or irritated by other conditions like herniated discs, it can cause pain that shoots down your leg which is often described as tingling or burning.

Chiropractic care may help alleviate sciatica by realigning the spine to decrease stress on nerves.

#5: You’re Suffering From Lower Back Pain Following a Car Accident

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of lower back pain, especially when they involve whiplash. 

Whiplash is caused by extreme acceleration or deceleration forces that can cause your neck to whip around suddenly. This can lead to injury in other areas like the spine and shoulder muscles.

Chiropractic care may help because it can provide relief for the neck and back muscles that may be tense after a car accident. 

It can also relieve pressure or stress on injured areas while allowing you to recover faster.

4 Common Chiropractic Methods Used to Treat Lower Back Pain

There are numerous methods that a chiropractor may use to treat lower back pain.

The technique will differ based on the patient’s specific situation.

However, there are a few standard methods of treatments chiropractors use most often. 

Let’s take a look at four of these methods.

#1: Manual Adjustments

The first method that chiropractors use is manual adjustments. 

• Involves the application of pressure to the spine by either pulling, pushing, or moving it in other ways. 
• Can help restore normal motion and alignment between vertebrae causing pain relief in surrounding soft tissues like muscles and ligaments.

#2: Table Adjustments

Another common chiropractic method is drop table adjustments. 

• Involves lying on a specialized massage table that can be adjusted to your specific needs, movements, and positions. 
• Helps the chiropractor get an accurate read of where you are experiencing pain so they can adjust accordingly using their hands or another tool called an Impulse instrument.

#3: Instrument Adjustments

The third common chiropractic method is instrument adjustments. 

• Involves the use of a tool called an activator, which is spring-loaded and has a small head. 
• Delivers a precise adjustment to the affected area with less force than manual adjustments but still provides similar results for pain relief.

#4: Intersegmental Traction

The last common chiropractic method is intersegmental traction. 

• Involves the use of a table that has special pads and rollers on it to gently stretch your spine. 
• Helps improve motion in areas where there may be stiffness or tightness which can alleviate pain caused by surrounding soft tissue injuries.

How Often Should You Go to a Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain?

Many factors determine the frequency of visits you need, so it’s important to speak with your chiropractor about what type of care plan would work best for you. 

Typically, the frequency of your visits will vary based on your:

• Individualized condition
• Degree of pain or discomfort; and 
• Chiropractor’s treatment strategy

If you’re experiencing chronic or constant lower back pain, then your chiropractor will likely recommend weekly treatments until the problem has been resolved or improved significantly.

Acute lower back pain could require up to 12 treatments in the first four weeks, while more minor pain may need only one session every few weeks.

Cascade Spine & Injury: Providing Patients Relief From Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can be debilitating and interfere with everyday life. 

It doesn’t discriminate, either — it affects people of all ages in both genders. 

Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for lower back pain that don’t require surgery or drugs. 

Chiropractic care is one option to help relieve your discomfort without the need for medication or invasive procedures like injections or epidurals. 

Cascade Spine & Injury offers a variety of chiropractors who specialize in treating patients suffering from low-back issues including sciatica, herniated discs, pinched nerves, lumbar strain/sprain, and more.

If you have been experiencing any type of lower back pain recently but haven’t found relief, call Cascade Spine & Injury to book an appointment today.