When back pain strikes, it can bring your everyday activities to a screeching halt. But for a person who doesn't like the idea of using traditional pain medications to treat back ailments, a chiropractor is a viable option.

A Chiropractor is Trained

A chiropractor is trained to treat conditions that are caused by misalignment of the spine, as well as other conditions that affect the central nervous system. Some of the most common conditions treated by a chiropractor include:

" fibromyalgia

" poor postural alignment

" strains and sprains

" degenerative disc disease

" herniated discs

" osteoarthritis

" sciatica

A chiropractor is required to do two to four years of undergraduate studies, and then spend a specified amount of time at a licensed chiropractic college. Before a chiropractor can treat patients legally, he must pass a national and state examination. To find out if your chiropractor is licensed to operate in your area, contact the local Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

A Chiropractor Uses a Variety of Treatment Methods

A chiropractor uses a number of drug-free methods to treat back pain. These methods often include massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, decompression, and spinal realignment.

Massage relieves pain in the back by releasing endorphins and easing muscle spasms. There are several types of massage used to treat back pain. Talk to your chiropractor to see which one is best for you. If you have blood clots, cancer, or are pregnant, talk to a doctor before getting a massage.

During acupuncture, thin, sterile needles are inserted into pathways in the body to improve chi and relieve pain. Other than slight bruising at the injection sites, there are no negative side effects associated with acupuncture.

Hydrotherapy is commonly used by chiropractors to relieve pain in the back. This type of therapy can include sitting in a pool of warm water, or using ice packs on the affected area.

Decompression therapy is used to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease and herniated discs. Decompression therapy uses vacuum pressure to relieve pressure and restore fluids and nutrients to the discs.

Ultrasound is commonly equated with pregnancy, but this machine can be used by chiropractors to treat back pain. This method uses ultrasound waves to warm the tissue, and reduce swelling in the back.

Spinal realignment requires a chiropractor to use a specialized technique to readjust the spine and improve alignment. Modern equipment makes it possible to adjust the spine painlessly and without any "back popping."

If natural treatment methods are not an enough to manage back pain and drugs are needed, a chiropractor can point you in the direction of a doctor who can help.

A Chiropractor Offers Patient Education

A quality chiropractor not only treats conditions of the spine, they offer education to help patients keep these problems from reoccurring in the future. Regular exercise, good posture, weight loss, and proper sleep habits are some of the recommendations chiropractors will make to patients to help keep back pain at bay.

A chiropractor is trained to carry out his job duties effectively by offering a wide range of drug-free treatment options to manage conditions of the spine and central nervous system.

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