Chiropractic Care for Chronic Pain

Chiropractic treatment can help relieve pain caused by injury or disease. Find out what makes chiropractic care for chronic pain so effective.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Manage Chronic Pain

Spinal manipulation is the most common treatment used by chiropractors. It involves using gentle pressure and movements to realign the spine. This can help relieve pain by restoring proper alignment and improving the range of motion.

Massage therapy can also help treat chronic pain. Massage can help relax muscles, increase blood flow, and reduce inflammation.

Exercise is another important part of treating chronic pain. Exercise can help improve range of motion, flexibility, and strength. It can also help reduce stress and promote overall health.

If you’re looking for an effective way to manage your chronic pain, chiropractic care may be right for you.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is a condition that causes ongoing, long-term pain. It can last for weeks, months, or even years. Chronic pain can make it difficult to do everyday activities and can negatively impact your quality of life. 

There are many different types of chronic pain, and the exact cause is often unknown. However, treatment options are available to help manage chronic pain and improve your quality of life. If you are living with chronic pain, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options for you.

What Are Some Examples of Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the type of pain and the underlying cause. 

Symptoms may include:

• Aching or throbbing pain
• Sharp or shooting pain
• Stiffness or tightness
• Burning or tingling sensations
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue
• Depression or anxiety

Chronic pain can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It can interfere with your ability to work, socialize, and even take care of yourself. The physical and emotional toll of chronic pain can be debilitating, making it difficult to enjoy the things you used to love.

If you're struggling with chronic pain, there are ways to manage it and improve your quality of life. Working with a pain specialist can help you develop a treatment plan that includes medication, physical therapy, and other interventions. Making lifestyle changes, such as exercise and stress reduction, can also help.

If you're living with chronic pain, don't give up hope. Treatments are available that can help you feel better and live a fuller life. Chiropractic treatment is one of the best options out there.

How Common Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is a common problem in the United States. Some estimate it affects more than 100 million Americans or one in every three people.

Chronic pain is caused by many different conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, and lower back pain. Treatment for chronic pain often includes medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. If you are living with chronic pain, you are certainly not alone.

Unfortunately, chronic pain affects all aspects of your life. Many people with chronic pain have a poor quality of life and struggle to complete basic daily tasks. Their days are spent just getting through their basic routine in as little pain as possible, and they never get an opportunity to truly embrace and enjoy life.

The good news is there are things you can do to reduce and eliminate chronic pain.  Understanding the cause and learning how to manage the issue should be one of your biggest priorities. 

What Are the Causes of Chronic Pain?

There are many potential causes of chronic pain, and often the exact cause is unknown. Some common causes are:

• Arthritis: Arthritis is a common cause of chronic pain, particularly in older adults. There are many types of arthritis, but they all cause inflammation and pain in the joints.
• Back problems: Back pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain. It can be caused by many things, including muscle strains, herniated discs, and degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.
• Nerve problems: Conditions like sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia can cause chronic pain by affecting the nerves.
• Headaches: Chronic headaches and migraines are common types of chronic pain.
• Cancer: Cancer can cause chronic pain as a result of the tumor itself or from cancer treatments like surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
• Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. It is often difficult to treat and can cause significant impairment.
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS): CRPS is a condition that typically affects one limb, causing severe pain, swelling, and changes in skin color and temperature. It can be extremely debilitating.
• Neuropathic pain: Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nervous system. It can be extremely severe and debilitating.
• Arachnoiditis: Arachnoiditis is a rare condition that causes spinal cord inflammation. It can be very painful and may lead to paralysis if untreated.

How Is Chronic Pain Treated?

A combination of medication, physical therapy, and psychological support is often used to treat chronic pain. Medications include over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription opioids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and local anesthetics. Physical therapy can help stretch and strengthen muscles, improve range of motion, and decrease inflammation. Psychological support can help people manage the stress and emotional impact of living with chronic pain. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to correct an underlying condition causing chronic pain.

If you are living with chronic pain, it is important to work with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating chronic pain, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, with the right treatment plan, many people can find relief from their chronic pain and improve their quality of life.

How a Chiropractor Can Help With Chronic Pain Relief

A chiropractor can help relieve chronic pain in several ways. One is by providing spinal manipulation. This technique involves applying pressure to the spine to realign the vertebrae. This can help reduce inflammation and muscle spasms, both of which can contribute to chronic pain.

Three of the most common methods used by chiropractors include:

Spinal Manipulation

This involves adjusting the spine to correct alignment and relieve pressure on nerves. Spinal manipulation is a safe treatment option when performed by a trained and licensed health care provider.

Chiropractors use several techniques during spinal manipulation. The most common involves the health care provider using their hands to apply pressure to the spine. This pressure is applied to specific joints in the spine to restore normal movement and function.

Spinal manipulation is an effective treatment for chronic low back pain. In one study, people who received spinal manipulation for their chronic low back pain had significantly less pain and disability than those who did not receive this treatment.

Massage Therapy

This helps to relax muscles and reduce inflammation. Chiropractors often use massage in conjunction with spinal manipulation to further relieve pain and improve range of motion. Massage can help loosen tight muscles, increase blood flow, and reduce inflammation. It can also help release endorphins, hormones that can provide pain relief.

Exercise

Chiropractors may recommend specific exercises to help stretch and strengthen muscles, relieve pain, and improve range of motion.

Ultrasound

Chiropractors often use ultrasound therapy to help treat chronic pain. Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to deliver heat and energy to the tissues. It can help reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms and is a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain.

Another way a chiropractor can help is by recommending acupuncture. This ancient Chinese practice involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points. This is thought to release endorphins and improve blood flow.

Finally, a chiropractor may also recommend lifestyle changes that can help reduce chronic pain. These may include exercises to improve flexibility and strength, as well as changes in diet and sleep habits. Making these changes can be difficult, but a chiropractor can provide support and guidance. If you are struggling to make long-term changes to improve your chronic pain, it might be helpful to turn to other health professionals, including nutritionists or personal trainers. 

If you are suffering from chronic pain, consider seeking help from a chiropractor. These practitioners are trained to provide safe and effective pain relief.

Conclusion

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than three months. It can be caused by an injury, a health condition, or simply the aging process. Chronic pain can be debilitating, preventing you from enjoying your life and participating in activities you love.

Many people who suffer from chronic pain turn to medication to find relief. While medication can be effective, it often comes with side effects like drowsiness, stomach upset, and addiction. Chiropractic care offers drug-free alternative therapies for treating chronic pain.

Dr. Eric Neumann D.C.

Dr. Eric Neumann grew up in Alberta, Canada where he majored in Chemistry at the University of Calgary. During his time at University, he obtained licensure as a Massage Therapist. It was clear that hands-on healing would be his calling. After suffering multiple sport-related injuries he became interested in Chiropractic. Dr. Neumann graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009. He has since specialized in the treatment and management of acute spinal injuries.