The Top Neck and Back Pain Treatments

One of the most common problems that affect our health is back pain. As much as 80% of the US population has experienced back pain at one point during their lives.  Most of the time the problem is caused by poor posture, repetitive movements and improper lifting habits.  Less common causes include hurting yourself via an accident like a slip and fall or an auto accident.  A visit to the medical doctor (the second most common reason for doctor visits) usually results in a prescription of medication and or bed rest.  Most people do not want to take drugs and are looking to avoid the unhealthy side-effects that comes with taking medications.  The following is a list of the top back / neck pain all-natural treatments that have been proven to be the most effective at eliminating the pain and correcting the underlying problem.  Naturally, chiropractic care tops the list.  A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that chiropractic care was often more successful at eliminating muscular pain than medication.  More importantly, chiropractic’s major benefit is that not only can it reduce pain levels, but the care given is designed to actually correct spinal structural problems that can cause back pain.  Not to mention the fact that chiropractic care is also used for spinal hygiene to prevent back problems from occurring.  In addition, chiropractic cares effect on overall health by reducing spinal nerve stress has been well documented.  Other methods that are successful with back pain include stretching classes like yoga and pilates, strength training to develop the core musculature and stress reduction techniques.  Most people do not realize that stress has a major impact on the musculature and leads to muscles knots, contractions and spasms.  All of which can cause back pain.  Successful stress reduction techniques include mindfulness and meditation.  In addition, aquatic therapy (pool exercises) have been shown to be helpful with back conditions.  Deep tissue massage and acupuncture are also very helpful.  Massage is the perfect adjunct to chiropractic care as it will loosen tight and spasmodic muscle tissue and help the chiropractic adjustment to be more effective.  Acupuncture is a big help in very stubborn back pain cases that do not seem to be responding to traditional treatments.  Lastly, cold laser therapy has all the new buzz concerning back and neck pain.  Laser treatments can reduce pain, inflammation and enhance the healing of damaged tissue along the spine.  In very painful back cases, laser therapy in conjunction with chiropractic care may be the answer to severe pain relief. 

Thought for the Week:  Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. ~ M. Kathleen Casey

Chiropractic Thought for the Week:  I think the above column sums up chiropractic care for back pain.  I would like to emphasize that chiropractic care’s biggest benefit is on the overall health of the body.  It cannot be mentioned enough that removing spinal nerve stress on a regular basis allows the body to perform better, function at a higher level and be healthier, in all ages from infants to adults.

Pregnancy / Prenatal Chiropractic Information:  A new study warns that exposure to harmful chemicals is on the rise in pregnant women.  The study tested urine samples in pregnant women and found 103 chemicals mostly made up from pesticides, plastics and replacement chemicals (ironically from previously banned or deemed dangerous chemicals).  Exposure to harmful chemicals comes from air, food, water, plastics and industrial consumer products like household cleaners.   These chemicals pose risks in pregnancy.  This study stresses the importance of a healthy, natural lifestyle when trying to become pregnant and throughout the entire pregnancy and time period of breast feeding.  Eating organic foods, free of pesticides is a major first step during pregnancy and prenatal care, as well as avoiding unnatural household cleaners and eating, drinking from plastic containers and heating containers made from plastic.  

Author

Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.