Should You Visit a Chiropractor for Back Pain?

If you have persistent neck or back pain, you might be considering chiropractic manipulation, or realigning the spine by pressing on its joints, a therapy often touted to relieve such chronic discomfort. Chiropractic care is one of the most popular forms of complementary medicine. In 2012, one in 12 U.S. adults visited the chiropractor, according to an analysis of federal survey data published in January. And each year chiropractors (along with some osteopathic physicians and physical therapists) perform several million adjustments.

Does It Work?

The founder of modern chiropractic care, a 19th-century Iowan, believed that chiropractic manipulation could cure all manner of maladies. And some chiropractors still offer services for conditions such as asthma and high blood pressure, even though there’s no strong evidence that chiropractic treatment helps for those. But most chiropractors focus on skeletal and muscular problems—especially low back, neck, and shoulder pain, and related headaches.

And some studies suggest that spinal manipulations (“adjustments”) can help diminish such pain. A 2011 review of 26 studies found that for chronic low back pain, manipulation reduced pain in the short term at least as much as exercise and even pain relievers. Chiropractic care also improved participants’ short-term physical functions, such as their ability to climb stairs or bend over.

“The bad news is that for chronic, persistent back pain, even the best therapies result in only mild to moderate relief,” says Roger Chou, M.D., a professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University who studies back pain. “The key is finding the treatment that works for you and seeing a therapist who cares about function—not just pain relief—and who will help you get back to the activities that matter most in your life.”

When it comes to neck pain, a study of 181 people published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that getting regular chiropractic care (about once per week for 12 weeks) could lessen discomfort better than acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some research also suggests that chiropractic manipulation might work as well as medication for migraine headaches.

“For chronic backache or neck pain that is not accompanied by symptoms requiring medical attention—such as urinary or intestinal problems or weakness, numbness, or tingling in an arm or leg—considering chiropractic manipulation seems reasonable,” says Consumer Reports’ chief medical adviser, Marvin M. Lipman, M.D. But it isn’t risk-free. “It can cause temporary headaches and, rarely, serious problems such as worsening the pain of a slipped disk,” he notes.

What to Know If You Go

All states require chiropractors to earn a four-year doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). Chiropractors are also required to pass an exam administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners to get licensed.

Treatments are often covered by insurance, including Medicare Part B, which pays 80 percent of the cost after your deductible.

Sourced from Consumerreports.org

Back pain is one of the most common symptoms reported among the general population. While a majority of cases resolve on their own, some instances of back pain may be due to further injury or an aggravated condition. If the symptoms are persistent, it might be time to seek medical attention immediately. Chiropractic care focuses on musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, helping to restore the original health of the spine.

For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

Additional Topics: Headache After Auto Injury

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After being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can cause damage or injury to the body, primarily to the structures surrounding the spine. Whiplash is a common result of an auto collision, affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues around it, causing symptoms such as head pain. Headaches are a common symptom after an automobile accident, which may require immediate medical attention to determine its source and follow through with treatment.

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