Spinal alignment is performed by chiropractors to achieve back pain relief. Spinal alignment and manipulation helps to relieve acute back pain caused by injury from a fall, sports injury or repetitive stress injury. Spinal alignment is sometimes used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment.
Benefits
Spinal alignment is a safe and effective treatment for acute back pain when you've suffered an injury. Spinal manipulation has been proven to provide mild to moderate relief from low-back pain. Studies by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health have shown that spinal manipulation provides short-term relief from low-back pain, and that this relief may continue for up to one year. Spinal manipulation can be as effective as conventional treatments. It is now included in guidelines for health care practitioners to consider as a treatment option for pain that does not improve with self-care.
What to Expect
The chiropractor will perform a physical examination; do some lab or imaging tests and take a medical history from you. Based on this information he will devise a treatment plan. Your treatment is based on an accurate diagnosis of your back pain, so make sure that your chiropractor is well informed regarding your condition and medical history. The ultimate goal of treatment is to relieve your back pain and restore your ability to function.
Treatment may involve one or more manual adjustments to improve alignment of your spine, which should relieve pain and improve your range of motion. Your practitioner will perform spinal manipulation by using his hands or a device. He will apply force to your spine and move it beyond its range of motion.
Risks
Although rare, there have been cases in which spinal alignment and manipulation worsened a condition like a herniated or slipped disk. Another rare but potential complication from low-back manipulation is cauda equina syndrome. This is a condition in which the nerves in the lower part of the spinal cord compress, causing pain, weakness and loss of feeling in one or both legs. Bowel or bladder control may also be affected. Always consult your primary care provider before seeking therapy from a chiropractor for your back pain to ensure this is the proper treatment for your condition. Side effects are usually minor and include discomfort in the treated area, headache or tiredness, which should resolve in one to two days.
Tags: back pain, from low-back, your back, your back pain, acute back, acute back pain