What is back pain?
Back pain is a feeling of discomfort in your upper, lower, or mid-back. It might result from an injury or disease. Back pain can feel like:
- Dull or aching pain
- Sharp, shooting, or stabbing pain
- Muscle aches
- Radiating pain down your leg
- Pain that gets better when your recline
- Pain that gets worse if you walk, stand, bend, or lift something
Back pain might get better on its own, come and go, or get worse over time. If back pain is severe or doesn’t subside within a few days, the Paladin Chiropractic team offers relief.
What causes back pain?
You may experience back pain if you have a chronic disease, are in a car accident, lift something heavy, or get hurt playing sports. Common back injuries include:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Muscle strains
- Ligament strains
- Ruptured discs
- Pinched nerves
- Scoliosis
- Other skeletal irregularities
- Cancer
Your risk of developing back pain increases with older age, smoking, being overweight, lack of exercise, and using improper lifting techniques.
How is back pain diagnosed?
To diagnose back pain and its cause, your Paladin Chiropractic physician reviews your symptoms and medical history. They complete a physical exam and may use blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, bone scans, or nerve tests to confirm a diagnosis.
What is the treatment for back pain?
Your personalized treatment for back pain might include one or more of the following techniques:
Chiropractic adjustments
By adjusting and realigning your spine, your chiropractor can alleviate pain, accelerate healing, improve posture, and restore your quality of life. You lie down on a comfortable table while your doctor manually manipulates certain areas of your spine. They might use Activator Methods®, Grostic Upper Cervical Procedure, Palmer Package, or the McKenzie Method.
Physiotherapy
By strengthening and stretching your spine and surrounding tissues, you can naturally alleviate pain and prevent re-injury.
Instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM)
During IASTM, also known as the Graston Technique®, your chiropractor uses special instruments to apply pressure to tight muscles or injured areas, accelerate healing naturally, and relieve back pain.
Electrical stimulation
Electrical stimulation uses electrical impulses to relax tight muscles and relieve back pain before or after chiropractic adjustments.
Diathermy
During diathermy treatment, your chiropractor heats deep tissue layers to improve blood flow, loosen tight muscles, and relieve chronic back pain without surgery or addictive medicines.
Massage
Your doctor can massage tight muscles to relieve tension, alleviate nerve pressure, reduce stress, and accelerate healing.
Cold laser therapy
Your chiropractor offers cold laser therapy to enhance your body’s natural healing ability, reduce inflammation, stimulate energy production, and relieve chronic pain.
Don’t let back pain prevent you from enjoying life and staying active. Whether you prefer instrument adjustments or manual techniques, you’re right at home with multiple choices at Paladin Chiropractic. Schedule an appointment over the phone or online today.
