Pain is never okay. Discover how a chiropractor can manage your neck and back pain.
Neck and back pain are the two most common problems Americans face. In fact, according to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is the leading cause of disability across the globe. Back pain is also a primary culprit for missing days of work. With more and more working professionals complaining of persistent neck and back pain, it might be time to turn to a chiropractor for care.
If you are only dealing with minor or temporary neck or back pain, then you might be able to soothe these problems with simple at-home treatment options such as,
Icing or heating the area: Some people experience more relief from icing, while others find comfort and soothing relief from the heat. The best option is to try both and see which one works best. Remember to always wrap an ice pack in a towel before applying it to the skin, and don’t leave ice on the skin for more than 15 minutes at a time.
Medications: If the problem only rears its ugly head every once in a while, you may be able to temporarily stave off the minor discomfort by taking an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen, which can combat both pain and swelling. Of course, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor before starting any new medication regimen.
Be gentle: If your back or neck is giving you problems, it’s essential to rest and take it easy for a little while. This also means altering your workout or daily routine to ensure that what you are doing isn’t making the problem worse. If certain things exacerbate your pain, you’ll want to avoid these activities as much as possible.
If your back or neck pain has been going on for several weeks, if it’s severe or affecting your quality of life, then it’s essential that you turn to a chiropractor who can provide hands-on techniques and specialized exercises to ease your symptoms and facilitate a speedier recovery.
There are many ways chiropractic care can improve how your back and neck function. We can show you a variety of stretching and strengthening exercises to help retrain and rebuild the neck and back muscles to provide better support, stabilization, flexibility, and functionality. Once we show you these exercises, they can also be performed on your own.
Chiropractic adjustments can also realign the spine, take pressure off muscles and nerves, ease sore, tense muscles and increase blood flow to areas of the body to speed up the recovery process.
A chiropractor may also provide heat therapy, electrical stimulation, and advice for improving office ergonomics (poor posture, unsupportive office chairs, and leaning over a computer can all lead to neck and back problems).
If you are looking for safe, low-risk, drug-free approaches to treating your neck and back pain, it’s the perfect time to turn to a chiropractor for a consultation.