Chiropractic is a healthcare profession dedicated to the nonsurgical treatment of disorders of the nervous system or musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors maintain a focus on therapy and spinal manipulation for structures.
Can chiropractic care be paired with other treatment methods?
Several studies have concluded that manual treatments commonly used by physicians are usually effective for treating lower back pain, lumbar herniated disc for radiculopathy and neck pain, as well as other ailments. In fact, when patients using non-invasive chronic low back pain have been treated by chiropractors, the long-term outcome is improved by obtaining maintenance spinal manipulation after the first intensive manipulative treatment. New research studies have found that a combination of chiropractic and other treatment modalities can help further provide relief.
Chiropractic and Osteopathic
Chiropractic and osteopathic medicine represent another non-surgical treatment option for patients with spine pain. Chiropractors and osteopathic physicians may decrease lower back pain from mobilizing joints in the lumbar spine though manipulations (commonly known as "alterations").
Chiropractic and osteopathic manipulations can be particularly helpful in relieving pain for facet joint injuries, osteoarthritis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction, because these conditions represent joint dysfunction that reacts well to mobilization treatment methods.
Chiropractic Treatment of Lower Back Pain
The general philosophy for chiropractic medicine is that joint dysfunction at the lower (lumbar) spine can produce lower back pain. Chiropractors manipulate the backbone to treat "subluxation," which details the altered position of the vertebra and subsequent functional loss that happens as a consequence of the vertebra being altered from position in comparison to other nerves.
A chiropractic adjustment typically requires the chiropractor using high speed, short lever arm thrusts into the vertebra, with the goal of reducing pressure on the joints and providing pain relief. Spinal manipulation may be performed through different chiropractic methods which are most often painless and relieving, for example:
- Instrument Performed: The chiropractor uses a spring-loaded instrument as the patient lies face down during the chiropractic adjustment.
- Lumbar roll: The nurse applies a fast push to the subluxation as the patient lies sideways.
- Motion palpation: As the individual moves around, the chiropractor uses the hands to analyze extravertebral joint and vertebra moves and assess any joint dysfunction.
- Release function: The chiropractor uses the palms to apply pressure on and gently separate the bottoms.
- Toggle fall: The nurse uses crossed hands to press down on the backbone and apply a fast and precise thrust to enhance joint mobility.
Osteopathic Treatment of Lower Back Pain
Unlike chiropractors, osteopathic doctors can be any type of expert. They may also prescribe drugs. Osteopathic doctors think that the body is a unified whole and that mobilization of lots of its components (particularly the musculoskeletal system) fosters natural processes of self-regulation and self-healing. Osteopathic treatment of lower back pain may contain one or more of these techniques:
- Counterstrain: The naturopathic physician pinpoints an exact place of maximum lower back pain for the patient, slowly positions the patient to a position that provides optimum comfort and then gradually returns the patient to a more neutral position.
- High velocity low amplitude thrusts (HVLAT): Much like what chiropractors do, the osteopathic physician uses a high-velocity low amplitude thrust to the joint to reduce any limited movement.
- Massage: The osteopathic physician may perform unique massages to invigorate the muscles.
- Myofascial Treatment: The osteopathic physician may employ this soft tissue treatment to release muscular shortness and stiffness.
- Muscle Energy: The osteopathic physician applies a counterforce to the muscles while they are being used in a specific position and management, such as when flexing.
- Soft Tissue Mobilization: The osteopathic doctor utilizes rhythmic stretching, deep pressure or grip techniques to engage the muscle area around the backbone.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
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