So, you are down with a sharp pain in your back and you simply don’t know what to do! You’ve called in the doctors and taken an awful dose of medications and pain killers, but it just does not seem to go away! From hot and cold packs to pain relief creams…you have tried everything, but nothing seems to work! So, what do you do now? You know you have to get out of bed, may be, get back to work, but you simply can’t figure out how! “Flip through your local directory or ‘yellow pages’ book.
Stop on the page on ‘chiropractors.’ Find one with good references, and ask him/her to come and see you!” Diandra, my colleague at work, gave me this piece of advice, when I was in a similar dilemma, sometime back.
What Do Chiropractors Do?
Believe it or not, that was really the first time, I had ever heard of ‘chiropractors.’ If like me, you are also wondering, what connection a ‘chiropractor’ has with excruciating back pain, read on! As Diandra explained to me-‘chiropractors’ are professionals specializing in ‘chiropractic’-an alternative medical system that treats pain in the body, especially in the joints, muscles and bones.
These health care specialists essentially work with their hands, along the spine and use ‘spinal manipulations’ to provide relief from pain, without any surgery or medication, required. The American Chiropractic Association states that, chiropractors primarily work to relieve “disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system.” Their techniques assist in the “proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine,” adds Web MD.
Causes for Persistent Back Ache
Following Diandra’s advice, I contacted a chiropractor near my home. To my relief, it only took a few sessions for him, to get me back on my two feet! Back pain is more common than you think. Studies show, that a large majority of the people world-over suffer from back pain. While in most cases, it usually goes away within a couple of days, in some, it can be prolonged and extremely excruciating.
There may be a number of reasons, why back pain occurs in the first place! These may range from- bad posture, excessive weight, psychological stress, slight or major trauma to the ligaments, bones, muscles and joints; injuries while playing or working; to accidents. In any such unfortunate scenario, taking the help of a good chiropractor; or consulting chiropractors, who you know-have the necessary expertise- is recommended.
How Do Chiropractors Relieve Back Pain?
“So how does ‘manual therapy’ really work on back pain?” –you may wonder. Chiropractors explain, that they are able to accomplish this miraculous task of permanently or temporarily alleviating back pain, by using specialized techniques. These methods involve, ‘using of hands’ to exert a ‘measured amount of force’ in a ‘certain way,’ on a particular area in the back- that has become ‘locked’ or ‘immobilized;’ and which therefore, is causing pain.
They note, that while ‘chiropractic’ is founded on certain time-tested and proven, scientific principles; mastery in the field is acquired, mainly through practice. The techniques used, are natural, non-toxic and cannot in any way harm the patient. Chiropractors, apply their expert therapy moves, with the aim of removing any kind of blockage in the body’s nervous system.
Those who are seasoned in using ‘manual therapy,’ do so with precision control; using the least amount of force and the mildest pressure, on the affected area.
Can Chiropractors Really Relieve Back Pain?
The fact is, that until you suffer from back pain and have a good chiropractor cure you-it is impossible to agree or disagree with those who claim, that “chiropractors are more effective than physicians in removing back pain!”
According to Paul Ingraham, “The most important factor in the usefulness of chiropractic therapy is not the nature of chiropractic as a profession, but the skill and good sense of the particular chiropractor whose hands are on your neck…” A good chiropractor, in addition to listening to you, diagnosing your back pain and treating it; will also recommend, specific restorative and healing exercises for you to do at home and may also advise you on your diet.
There are many who contend that- ‘chiropractic’ is not as effective, as those in the profession claim it is! However, if you listen in, on what some of the world’s best sport personas and celebrities have to say, it might make you think differently about chiropractors! While, actor, politician- Arnold Schwarzenegger, equated chiropractors with “miracle workers;” ace golfer, Tiger Woods, is reported to have said: “I’ve been going to a Chiropractor for as long as I can remember. It is as important to my training as the practice of my swing.”
This article was written by Ralf Hayden, a medical writer, who has researched ‘chiropractic’ as a subject, from well known chiropractors.
