Almost everyone experiences back pain in some form at some point or another. Maybe your job requires you to stand or sit without the proper back support for long periods of time. Or perhaps you job requires vigorous bending, lifting, etc. In Orange County, hundreds of people wonder whether their back pain is severe enough to see a doctor, chiropractor or seek some sort of spinal manipulative therapy. Often some Irvine back pain sufferers lose sleep over chronic pain that will not go away with home remedies.
Spinal manipulative therapy, such as Orange County spinal decompression is adjustment of the spine using twisting, pulling, or pushing movements. These movements can loosen and move the spinal bones and joint structures that may be causing pain. This is the basis of chiropractic treatment, but not only chiropractors are trained to do spinal manipulation.
See an Orange County chiropractor, an osteopathic doctor, a physiatrist, or a physical therapist who performs spinal manipulation. Your insurance coverage may be a factor in deciding who to see for treatment.
Before deciding on spinal manipulative therapy you may want to consider a few things about your back pain. For most people, home treatments like ice, heat, pain relievers, or mild exercise can relieve lower back pain within 4 to 6 weeks. You should also first have your symptoms evaluated. Sharp pain or lower back pain with leg tingling or numbness can be signs of more serious conditions that would require immediate medical treatment, and could be made worse by spinal manipulative therapy. Back pain treatment in Orange County should only be performed by licensed and experienced health practitioners. Should you choose spinal manipulation therapy, you should find a practitioner who is willing to coordinate with your other health professionals and is covered by your insurance.
There are many different types of spinal manipulation techniques. Depending on the practitioner these may range from massage and slow pressing or twisting to rapid movement or forceful pressure on the head, shoulder, back, or hips. Often, your practitioner will use heat, ultrasound, or electrical current to relax your muscles before manipulating the spine – especially if you have tight or spasming muscles. Only medical doctors are able to use medicines or surgery to treat back pain conditions.
Like other treatments, spinal manipulation may work for some people and not others. Spinal manipulation success is influenced by both the practitioner's diagnostic and treatment skill, and the cause of low back pain. A UCLA study has suggested that people are nearly equally satisfied with chiropractic versus medical low back pain care when they are given clear treatment information and at least four suggestions for home treatment.
Author: Dr.Shad earned the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic from Southern California University of Health Sciences, 1993, specializing in spinal disorders and sports injuries.Dr.Shad is also certified in Manipulation Under Anesthesia and Receptor-tonus techniques.Prior to Spine Care Center, Dr. Shad was the chiropractor / trainer for orange county Zodiacs soccer team (2nd division of MLS).
When to See a Doctor about Your Back Pain
