Chiropractor for lower back pain near me

It is no surprise that many Americans suffer from chronic pain, whether it’s in the neck, lower back, or shoulders. Anyone who has experienced pain understands its all-consuming effect. Chronic pain sufferers will try almost anything to get relief.

Of the millions of Americans that suffer from chronic pain, a huge majority have found relief through chiropractic care, which is a complementary therapy that involves the physical alignment or adjustment of the spine that has moved out of position. Chiropractors use adjustments and manipulations to address alignment issues that cause pain and other symptoms all over the body, including impeding the body’s natural ability to heal. However, the benefits of chiropractic care do not end at pain relief. There are a plethora of other conditions and symptoms that can be alleviated with chiropractic care.

So, should you automatically assume you need to see a chiropractor? Not necessarily. Chiropractic care can help millions of people, but not everyone.  Let’s talk about when you should and shouldn’t see a chiropractor.

If you suffer from neck, back, or knee pain that has an unexplained cause and not due to advanced osteoarthritis, you may benefit from seeing a chiropractor. Just make sure you see one that is licensed to practice. Patients who stand to benefit the most from chiropractic care are those who are generally healthy and without advanced joint disease. Examples include those with sciatica or old sports injuries.

People who get tension headaches and migraines can also benefit from seeing a chiropractor, because alignment issues contribute to the occurrence of headaches. Moreover, patients with frozen shoulder syndrome can also benefit from chiropractic adjustments, which stretch muscles in the shoulder and reduce stiffness.

Many patients seek chiropractic care for symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, lack of energy, digestive problems, muscle aches, numbness, and tingling. All of these issues can be addressed with chiropractic care.

When Not To See A Chiropractor

Patients with herniated or slipped discs and those with arthritis may need advice from specialist physicians before seeing a chiropractor. If there is a physical abnormality or injury in your body, such as a fracture, chiropractic care may not be for you. People with osteoporosis and those with fragile health should also check before beginning chiropractic care.

So, what’s the best way to determine if you could benefit from seeing a chiropractor? Simply consult with a chiropractor! Chiropractors are the best professionals to talk to if you want to know whether your condition can benefit from chiropractic care. A simple consultation in which you detail your symptoms and medical history along with imaging tests to check for physical abnormalities can help a chiropractor determine if you should seek care from them.

Wooster Community Hospital Chiropractic Services

Are you interested in learning more about chiropractic care and whether it’s right for you? Dr. Katie Dossi provides chiropractic services at Wooster Community Hospital’s (WCH) HealthPoint Center. Our chiropractic services improve posture, joint movement, and nerve communication to deliver relief from uncomfortable symptoms and get you in better overall health.

To request an appointment, call the WCH HealthPoint Chiropractic Services at (330) 202-2225 or submit a request now, and we will get back to you soon.

Maybe you have a 9-5 desk job, and no amount of stretching seems to relieve the tension from sitting all day. Or maybe you had to lift some heavy materials in your manufacturing job, and the sharp pain in your lower back isn’t going away. You could’ve slipped in the kitchen and the fall makes it hard to walk. Or--no shame--maybe you’ve been spending a little too much time looking down at your phone, and your neck and shoulder pain makes it hard to turn your head.

Whatever the situation, back and neck pain isn’t pleasant for anyone. Luckily, there are research-proven ways to manage the pain without relying on medication. Two common solutions are visiting a physical therapist or a chiropractor. But which one should you go see?

Before making your appointment, here are some similarities and differences between physical therapists and chiropractors that you should consider.

What do they treat?

Physical therapists (PTs) generally focus on the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems, treating injuries or conditions that impact the body’s movement and function, and helping you rebuild strength and endurance after surgery.

Chiropractors also focus on treating the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. People who receive chiropractic care typically have joint or muscle pain, such as back or neck pain, arm or leg joint pain, and headaches.

What are their treatment processes like?

Physical therapists design treatment processes that improve long-term functionality. PTs tailor each treatment plan to the patient’s needs. As part of their treatment process, PTs will explain what caused the problem and why you’re in pain, then walk you through exercises that will help you improve function over time. PT treatment programs can last from a few weeks to several months and can include 30-60 minute sessions with a therapist and an at-home exercise plan.

While chiropractors also use a hands-on approach, their treatment is focused more on the spine. They focus more on realigning the vertebrae in your spine (referred to as spinal manipulation) to release tension in the body, which relieves your pain. Chiropractors also recommend multiple visits, which can last around 10-30 minutes per visit.

How does their treatment help me?

Both physical therapists and chiropractors can help you reduce pain and improve physical function so that the root cause of your problem is solved, instead of just treating symptoms with medication. In some cases, they can even help you avoid surgery.

Physical therapists promote long-term health by teaching patients how to manage their condition and prevent reoccurrence of pain. Active participation through education and hands-on learning helps the patient advocate for their own health and well-being.

Chiropractors help provide immediate pain relief and restore stability and function to the spine. Treatment can also improve posture and sleep habits. Patients may need to return for maintenance visits throughout the year, getting spinal adjustments to relieve pain as needed.

What education is required for their job?

Physical therapists receive their Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) following competition of a doctoral program from an accredited PT school. They then must pass the national licensure exam to practice. A PT graduate program takes around three years to complete and comprises of about 80% classroom and lab study, and 20% clinical rotations. PTs then require annual continuing medical education to maintain their license.

Chiropractors receive their Doctorate of Chiropractic (DC) after completing a doctoral program through an accredited chiropractic school, passing a national board exam, and getting a license in the state in which they plan to practice. The graduate program curriculum blends time in the classroom and lab with clinical internships. Chiropractors must meet yearly continuing education requirements to maintain their licensure.

Conclusion

When you’re experiencing back pain, both physical therapists and chiropractors could be the answer to your problem. It really depends on the type of treatment you’re looking for. Use this information and perform some of your own research to make the best decision for you.

If you’d like to meet with a physical therapist, Concentra employees some of the highest qualified therapists  in the industry, averaging 10 years of experience with 75% holding advanced degrees. Contact your local Concentra center and start treatment immediately.

Can a chiropractor help with lower back pain?

Research shows that spinal manipulation can help relieve pain and improve function in people with acute low-back pain, one of the most common types of back pain.

How many chiropractic visits do I need for lower back pain?

For acute low back pain, 6 to 12 sessions over the course of 2 to 4 weeks is standard. These initial treatments emphasize the "passive" (non-exercise) approaches of manual therapy to relieve pain and improve function.

Can I go to a chiropractor if my back hurts?

A chiropractor can treat certain conditions causing back pain. In most cases, a chiropractor will address acute pain and stiffness. Acute pain has an exact cause and is self-limited. For instance, if you tweak a nerve in your back while moving furniture, a chiropractor may be able to help relieve your pain.