Alternative medicine (3)
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- Back pain: Will chiropractic treatment help?
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- Botox injections
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Back pain: Will chiropractic treatment help?
Is it safe for everyone?
Chiropractic care is generally considered safe, but it's not appropriate for everyone.
- Don't seek chiropractic adjustment if you have osteoporosis or signs or symptoms of nerve damage, such as numbness, tingling or loss of strength in an arm or leg.
- If you have a history of spinal surgery, check with your surgeon before consulting a chiropractor.
- Manipulation of the neck has been associated with having a stroke in rare cases.
- If you have back pain accompanied by fever, chills, sweats or unintentional weight loss, see a medical doctor to rule out the possibility of an infection or tumor.
If you're considering chiropractic care
If you'd like to try chiropractic care to treat your low back pain, a little preparation can help you get the most from your treatment.
- Consult your doctor. Talk to your doctor about the type of specialist best able to treat your back pain. In addition to chiropractors, many osteopathic physicians and some physical therapists have training in spinal manipulation.
- Make it a team approach. As with any medical specialist, select a chiropractor who's willing to work with the other members of your health care team.
- Arrange a consultation. Before you make a treatment appointment, arrange a consultation with the practitioner — either in person or by phone — to find out how he or she might address your back pain. Make sure you're comfortable with the recommendations, including how many sessions you'll need. For acute low back pain, four to six sessions are typically enough.
- Understand the risks. When limited to the low back, chiropractic adjustment has few risks. However, manipulation of the neck has been associated with injury to the blood vessels supplying the brain. Rarely, neck manipulation may cause a stroke.
Think prevention
A little care and attention can help you keep back pain at bay. Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly. Sit up straight. When you lift something heavy, let your legs do the work. Avoid activities that involve repetitive bending or twisting. If you sit or stand for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to walk around.
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