Spinal Manipulation Refers to a Chiropractor Manipulating

Approximately 7.7 million Americans visit chiropractors annually seeking relief from back pain. If such a large number of Americans are seeking relief from their back pain, what could be causing it in the first place? As a teenager, my mother wore a back brace to help hold the curve of her spine and prevent it from curving even further to the point that surgery would be recommended; she had idiopathic scoliosis. My father, on the other hand, had a "strong build" and held several manual labor positions throughout his youth. Between the two of them, I learned of the importance of a healthy back and spine and the benefit of good posture; something too few people consider in their day-to-day lives until they feel that first pang of pain stemming from their neck, shoulders or back. I rediscovered this importance as I grew and discovered my passion for painting; an activity that can involve hours of sitting or standing with little to no "spinal" movement involved. There is a plethora of ways in which back problems can manifest themselves. Luckily, there are many preventative measures that can be taken to ensure a healthy back and spine, and just as many therapies provided by your local chiropractor.
Beyond genetic, idiopathic or congenial conditions, there are three major culprits causing back pain and stress to people everyday, all around the globe. The first, oddly enough, is poor lifting techniques. For some of us, we find ourselves lifting objects off of the ground several times a week or even everyday. Others, only once in a blue moon. Despite how often we lift, however, it only takes one attempt to develop a back problem. Beyond poor lifting techniques, modern society has developed a culture where commuting and spending hours sitting at a desk with little to no movement is exceedingly common (to our spine's disdain). Sitting in the same position for too long is an extremely common cause of back pain, primarily because our discs (the spongy cushions of the vertebrae) are nourished by motion, which allows fluids in the spine to flow more freely. When we sit for too long, we restrict this flow and develop pain in our neck, shoulders and back; especially if we lean forward while sitting. A third common cause of back pain are those activities we do in our spare time but don't often give much thought to. Whether it's a quick game of basketball on a Saturday afternoon or taking out the trash after a long day at work, these silent agitators are typical causes of lower back pain and muscle strains.
Fortunately, there are plenty of preventative measures one can take to care for the spine and overall back. When lifting, for instance, it is important to engage your abs at all times to help support your back. One should always remember to bend at the knees while keeping the back straight and never, never, never bend at the waist. Another remedy helps substantially for those who make long commutes or spend large amounts of time at a desk or in front of a computer. It is important for commuters to stretch before and after the commute and placing a pillow behind the back while en-route can help take some of the stress off the spine. For those stuck at the desk, it is extremely beneficial to stand up at least every twenty minutes and briefly walk around, even if it's just for a cup of water or coffee. Always keep your spine properly aligned by holding or displaying reading material at eye level and try not to lean over the table to do work. It is also helpful to choose a chair that helps support your back. And for those day-to-day activities, the best preventative measure to take is simply excercise. Focusing on the obliques (the abdominal muscles on the sides of our core) can play a large role in keeping our spine happy and healthy.
If spine or back pain is already a problem, exploring chiropractic medicine can be a helpful option. There are a number of techniques and methods utilized by skilled, modern-day chiropractors. A few, but in no way all, are spinal manipulation, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and spinal decompression. Spinal manipulation refers to a chiropractor manipulating the vertabrae that have abnormal movement or fail to function normally, resulting in increasing the range of motion, reducing nerve irritability and improving function.Spinal decompression therapy involves stretching the spine while utilizing a traction table or similar motorized device. The therapy is nonsurgical as compared to surgical decompression, such as a microdiscectomy, and aims to relieve back pain and leg pain, promoting the best healing environment for degenerating, bulging or herniated discs. Another option is low-level laser therapy (LLLT); a treatment that uses light-emitting diodes to alter cellular function. Low-level light therapy is effective in relieving short-term pain caused by osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis among other ailments.
The spine and back are important, no matter which way you look at it. My parents taught me well and at an early age, but not everyone is so lucky. The best way to avoid chronic or acute back pain is through healthy, preventative measures and avoiding the culprits from the get-go. Back pain can be both disruptive and obtrusive to our everyday lives, not only causing pain but also stress. Thankfully, if one is already experiencing back pain, all hope is not lost. Modern chiropractors provide a variety of therapies, all efective for specific diagnosis and aimed at relieving the pain and restoring health to our lives.