Treatment Options for Back Pain Automobile Injury Chiropractic

Low back pain is one of the main complaints for more than 50% of rear-end collisions and nearly 75% of side-impact crashes, according to the Back and Neck Pain Center. Injured muscles, ligaments, nerves, or vertebra may cause short-term or chronic low back pain. Many of these injuries, however, can be treated through chiropractic care.

Here’s what you need to know about the different kinds of back pain treatments from an automobile injury chiropractic clinic:

Spinal Manipulations

Spinal manipulation is one of the original approaches for adjusting the back and treating related injuries. It is sometimes called the high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust which produces a “pop” sound.

A chiropractor may simply use her hands to put a controlled strong force to a joint as the body is positioned in a particular angle. A popping sound suggests a successful spinal manipulation, although the back injury must be further monitored to ensure positive results. If you’re hesitant about the safety and efficacy of HVLA, a recent study solidified claims that spinal manipulations can offer effective relief from clinical pain.

Mobilizations

Mobilizations are different from HVLA spinal manipulation, as they use slow movement which is typically applied on the firm end of joint movement for the main purpose of mobilizing the area. Spinal mobilization may be applied according to patient preference and the severity of pain, among other factors.

There are three common mobilization methods. The activator method refers to a hand-held tool that is used to offer a low-force impulse. Spine adjustments may be gently attained through the activator. The next method is the Cox Flexion-distraction technique which slowly adjusts the vertebrae through a gradual stretch of the lower spine.

Another mobilization technique is the toggle drop, wherein a chiropractor crosses her hands on top of each other and presses firmly and rapidly on the affected spine area while a part of the drop table falls and maximizes gravity for the execution of the adjustment.

Deep Tissue Massage

For injured soft tissues, a chiropractor can apply deep tissue massage. The University of Maryland Medical Center showed that this form of massage is a more effective and less costly approach to treating chronic pain than customary medical interventions. The massage improves blood flow through the body which decreases pain-causing inflammation. Deep tissue massage may also relieve muscle tension.

Back pain may have different causes and an experienced chiropractor will determine the origins first before recommending solutions. If you’re suffering from chronic back pain despite medication and other conventional treatments, consider visiting an automobile injury chiropractic clinic and try potentially effective therapies.

Sources:

“7 delayed injury symptoms after a car crash,” ktar.com
“Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage,” livestrong.com
“Chiropractic Care for Back Pain,” webmd.com

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.