Chiropractic: The Right Care?

Approximately 80-85% of the population experience at least one episode of disabling back pain in their lives.  Most of these people report disturbances in their daily lives for a week or longer, and the vast majority of back pain sufferers say their back pain is a recurring problem.  Unfortunately most people go to their doctor to fix their problems, but most MDs can only provide explanations for your symptoms or provide medication to relieve inflammation or pain, only offering temporary relief.

The other option is for your MD to refer you to someone who specializes in the treatment of back pain such as an orthopedic surgeon, chiropractor, physiotherapist, massage therapsit, or acupuncturist.  Chiropractic is listed consistently in scholarly publications as an effective tool for back pain.  It has also been shown to be a relatively safe option for those seeking treatments with less side effects.  When compared to other options, consultation with a chiropractor was found to be just as effective as one with an MD or DO while costing 20-40% less.  Studies have also shown that among the most popular therapists to consult for back pain (family physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, and acupuncturist), chiropractors most often received the highest rating of satisfaction among all other professionals in the group.

From this, it is clear that chiropractic is the best choice for back pain.  Overall chiropractic has shown to be more therapeutically effective, cost-effective, and satisfying to the patient.

How to Avoid Lifting Injuries to Your Back

Bending at the waist is one of the greatest reasons for strain that affects the lower back, as opposed to bending your knees to reach for an object that is on the ground.  In addition, any twisting of the torso while returning to an upright position creates the greatest risk for disc herniation.

To lift correctly:
1. Think ahead and plan the maneuver before you plan to lift anything awkward or heavy.
2. Lift mostly with the arms and legs.  It is better to bend the knees than the back!
3. Keep the object close to your body.  The stress and strain on your lower back increases significantly the further the object is away from your core.
4. Assess the weight of the object.  If an object looks too heavy to lift, it probably is.
5. Keep your nose between your toes.  If your nose stays between your toes, then your spine will not experience any twisting/shear loads and will reduce the risk of disc injuries.