What Baltimore Chiropractors Can Do for Your Back Pain

There is a strong possibility that as you’re reading this, you’re sitting at your desk in front of a computer monitor. There is also a very high chance that your sitting position is incorrect, which puts undue stress on your spinal column. Poor posture is one of the leading causes of back pain. Indeed, more than 7.7 million Americans experience this and visit Baltimore chiropractors for relief every year.

But what exactly are chiropractors, and what can they do? Chiropractors are medical practitioners who believe in properly aligning the body’s musculoskeletal structure, thus helping the body heal on its own without the need for surgery and other medical procedures. The same thing applies to back pain. The chiropractor would take note of your medical history, perform physical examinations, and recommend the right treatment plan.

Spinal and Manual Manipulation

The most common procedure used by chiropractors is the manipulation of the joints and spine with the sudden and controlled application of force with the aim of properly aligning your body’s structure. Don’t be alarmed though—it isn’t as scary as it sounds. Its goal is to improve functionality, reduce nerve problems, and restore your range of motion.

Mobilization

Mobilization is like therapeutic massage, but much more targeted and effective. When executing these procedures, a Baltimore chiropractor moves and stretches your muscles and joints to improve your range of motion, thus alleviating pain. This procedure is relatively low-velocity compared to chiropractic adjustments. These two procedures, however, aren’t usually performed separately—they are designed to complement each other.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Acute lower back pain can often be alleviated with the proper application of chiropractic procedures. Chiropractors can also help with neck pain, headaches, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. Chronic back pain, on the other hand, still has no definite cure; but chiropractors have procedures to help relieve some of the pain that a patient goes through.

Contraindications

As with any medical procedure, chiropractic care has its contraindications. For example, people with brittle bones—like those suffering from osteoporosis—shouldn’t undergo chiropractic care. The same can be said for people with inflammatory arthritis, spinal cord compression, and those who are taking blood-thinning medication. If you’re not sure if chiropractic care is for you, you can ask your doctor or contact a chiropractor directly.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that what the chiropractor can do is based entirely on an accurate diagnosis of the pain that you feel. Baltimore pain management specialists—like those from Maryland Spine Institute and Wellness Center—will do what they can; but you need to cooperate with them by disclosing your complete medical history.

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