Looking for a different kind of solution for acute or chronic back pain? You’ve come to the right place. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out chiropractic care, yet it still remains unknown (or uncertain) to many. Today we’ll discuss the benefits of chiropractic care for back pain, as well as the kinds of treatments and even at-home exercises a chiropractor can provide to relieve back pain. Let’s dive in.

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Back Pain is All Too Common — But Very Treatable

Recent data from the National Council on Aging and the CDC shows that about 39% of Americans experience back pain at some point during the year, whether acute or chronic back pain. 

Back pain can result from many causes: occupational back pain, whether you have a standing or sitting job, back pain that results from poor sleep habits, or back pain simply from aging and spinal degeneration over time. Even kids today suffer from back pain due to carrying around heavy backpacks and playing sports. 

Many people’s first instinct when confronted with back pain is to see their primary care doctor, or perhaps consult an orthopedic specialist. But chiropractic care for back pain can not only provide immediate relief, but also work on addressing the root causes of back pain to begin with, ensuring you remain pain-free for as long as possible.

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Can a Chiropractor Help With Back Pain?

Yes! Relieving back pain is a chiropractic specialty. Whether it’s low back pain, upper back pain or anything in between, making sure your spine is properly aligned is essential to relieving acute pain and preventing further injury. At Simply Southern Chiropractic Center we also teach you how to sleep properly for better alignment and give stretches and exercises that support your back muscles. 

It’s all about taking a comprehensive, non-invasive, non-drug approach to healing and maintaining your spinal health. 

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Maintenance Is the Key

The thing about chiropractic care for back pain is that it’s not a one-and-done kind of fix. Many people come into our clinic in pain and leave pain-free or with their pain significantly reduced, but for the best long term results you must receive regular chiropractic adjustments. After the initial treatment period, we see most patients for maintenance care for an adjustment every 3-4 weeks. 

The great news is that with regular chiropractic care, you’re not just making sure you keep back pain at bay. Chiropractic care provides whole-body wellness support, including nervous system regulation, stress relief, and boosted immunity. It’s a great tool to support your overall health, and many people report feeling super relaxed and happy after being treated.

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Chiropractic Treatment Options for Back Pain

There are many ways we can treat back pain as chiropractors, depending on your diagnosis and tolerance to treatment. We never perform any chiropractic adjustments you’re not comfortable with, and we have lots of tools in our toolbox to meet you at your comfort level. 

Manual Adjustments

A manual adjustment is probably how you already think of chiropractic treatment if you haven’t experienced it before. The chiropractor uses their hands to manipulate the spine and muscles to restore proper alignment to the body. Manual adjustments are typically performed while the patient lies face down on the adjustment table, but it can also be performed while the patient is lying on their back or sitting. 

At Simply Southern Chiropractic Center, we take great care with manual manipulation and always check in with the patient to meet their comfort level before beginning treatment. 

Activator Adjustments

Another way to adjust the spine is using a tool called the Activator, which is a hand-held, spring loaded instrument that allows the chiropractor to apply quick, low amplitude pulses to the affected areas. Many patients that are scared of manual adjustments, especially in the neck, feel quite comfortable with the Activator, and they receive the same benefits as if they were adjusted manually by hand. 

Cold Laser Therapy

Our class IV therapeutic cold lasers use specific frequencies of light (not heat!) to combat swelling, increase circulation in the treated areas, and help relieve different muscle pains. This treatment can be a lifesaver for those who experience chronic back pain, as well as help treat acute injuries. 

Posture Correction and At-Home Exercises

Of course, treating back pain continues long after you leave our office, which is why our chiropractors often prescribe posture correction and at-home stretches and exercises to continue relieving back pain. Long-term healing happens when you continue the work to support your spine and back muscles in your everyday life, not just receiving treatment periodically. It’s all part of the self-care routine we all need to maintain our best health and wellbeing.  

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Have Back Pain? A Chiropractor Can Help

Bottom line? A chiropractor can definitely help relieve back pain, as well as prevent future discomfort and injury with regular adjustments. This is just one of many reasons we recommend chiropractic care for all, from young children all the way through our senior citizens. Chiropractic care is essential to maintain a healthy spine and everything that comes with it — good posture, mobility, and of course, a pain-free life. 

Call us anytime! We’re happy to help. 

References

Lucas, J. W., Connor, E. M., & Bose, J. (2021). Back, Lower Limb, and Upper Limb Pain Among U.S. Adults, 2019. NCHS data brief, (415), 1–8.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. The Lancet: New Study Shows Low Back Pain Is the Leading Cause of Disability Around the World. May 22, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/lancet-new-study-shows-low-back-pain-leading-cause-disability

National Council on Aging Adviser. “Back Pain Facts and Statistics in 2024” Found on the internet at https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/back-pain-statistics/