Experiencing Back Pains

Unfortunately, because of the daily hustle and bustle that every person has to do in their everyday life, people fail to notice the exponential increase of musculoskeletal problems caused by excess stress in the spine. It is for that reason that health professionals such as chiropractors seek to accommodate to these specific problems in order to prevent any possible obstacles in a person's daily life. But what can separate a chiropractor from any other health professional, such as a physical therapist, is the methods involved in their process to cure and prevent physical ailments in a person daily life now and in their future endeavors.
Three common ways that people can develop back problems consist of a person's age, their fitness level, and the occupation they hold. As an individual's age increases, the reconstruction of bones consisting of the osteoblast (bone-building cell) decreases resulting in a greater risk of back problems especially if said individual experiences physical trauma because they are less likely to heal as a younger individual would. People who do not regularly exercise or aren't physically fit are also prone to back problems, which are caused by a weak back and abdominal muscles, mainly due to the inability to properly support the spine. The occupation is also another common way a person can develop back problems. It depends on the level of physical activity. If, for example, a person is involved in a highly active job that requires heavy lifting, pulling, or any kind of movement requiring twisting and spinning of the spine, they are more prone to back problems. In the same manner, it is important to mention that even low levels of physical activity can incur back problems due to the muscles lacking activity.
The three ways a person can ensure that they do not experience back pain in the future is to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and practice good posture. Proper exercise can help relieve and reduce the risk of future chronic pain by increasing balance and strength. Some exercises that can be used to help reduce back pain and improve general fitness include flexion exercises, which help to reduce pressure on the nerves and help to strengthen the abdominal and back muscles; extension exercises which may reduce radiating pain and also aerobic exercises which help to increase the larger muscles of the body are also great to improve the condition of the spine. Maintaining a healthy diet usually results in a healthy weight and can prevent the risk of being overweight which can lead to stress and strain on the back. A healthy diet can include foods that contain calcium and vitamin D which helps in preventing osteoporosis which is responsible for many bone fractures that can lead to back pain. It is also important to practice correct posture in order to prevent bad circulation, strain on the muscles and joints, and stress on the spine. Some everyday physical activities, no matter how insignificant they may seem, where correct posture can be applied include sitting, standing, and walking. When sitting it is important to keep your head straight, shoulders back and relaxed, and knees slightly lower than your hips with feet flat on the floor. When a person is standing it is important to avoid sticking one's chest out or standing in the same positions for longer periods of time. Lastly, when walking, keep the chin parallel to the ground, keep the stomach and buttocks in line with the rest of the body and avoid arching the back.
Three methods that chiropractors use when treating back pain include muscle stimulation, trigger point, and spinal manipulation. Muscle Stimulation Therapy consists of painless electrical currents delivered throughout the body to relieve stiffness and pain while also improving the body's range of motion. Treatments may vary depending on the need of the patient but normally, treatment lasts anywhere from 10-15 minutes depending on how severe the injury is. Muscle Stimulation is used for pain relief, to reduce inflammation, or in some cases to reduce muscle atrophy. When an area of a muscle, such as the ones in the back, is injured, the sensitivity of the area increases which results in a trigger point. In Trigger point therapy, chiropractors apply pressure to the damaged area for treatment and to get feedback on how the muscle is reacting. After a few seconds or until the trigger point recedes, it is followed by a massage and, if needed the process is repeated depending on how severe the damage is. Lastly, the most frequently used method in chiropractic care is spinal manipulation. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation or osteopathic manipulative treatment as a non-invasive diagnosis and hands-on therapy to help restore full movement to restricted joints and normal elasticity to the muscles in the body.
If not careful, people can develop back pain no matter the level of physical activity. However, people can create daily routines that include exercises and healthy diets to help them avoid future back problems. Chiropractors apply different techniques such as spinal manipulation or trigger point therapy in order address the issue of back problems. It is essential that people take care of themselves because though back pains are not classified as a main disorder it can develop to a more serious disease such as osteoporosis.