The nerve-rich facet joints on the back side of each spinal bone are a common cause of back pain. If these pairs of interlocking "fingers" aren't moving right, they can cause painful symptoms.
The discs between spinal bones can be a source of back pain, too. These rings of fibrous tissues act as spacers, connectors and "shock absorbers" for the spine. Trauma can cause the soft, pulpy material in the middle to bulge or herniate, putting pressure on delicate nearby nerves.
Once you know the cause, you have several choices. One approach is bed rest. But research shows that prolonged bed rest can actually delay recovery and make the problem worse!
Physical therapy is another option. But exercising spinal joints that aren't working right is like continuing to drive your car with misaligned tires!
Another choice is to numb or cover up the pain with drugs. While drugs can offer temporary relief, they can't correct functional problems of affected spinal joints.
The most drastic measure is surgery. A laminectomy cuts off the offending facet joints, leaving the spinal cord exposed! A spinal fusion cuts out the disc tissue and immobilizes the joint. While there may be times when surgery makes sense, it's expensive, risky and more than half of all back surgeries fail.
More and more people are choosing chiropractic care first, Specific chiropractic adjustments can help improve spinal function.
Better yet, chiropractic care is safe. Chiropractic is natural. And chiropractic looks to correct the underlying cause of the problem.
What if my insurance won't pay for chiropractic care?
Insurance companies make two mistakes by limiting or denying coverage. First, they ignore current research showing the superiority of chiropractic care in these types of cases. Plus, they overlook the lower cost and higher patient satisfaction enjoyed with chiropractic care. We offer ways to make chiropractic care affordable for just about anyone.
How long does it take for chiropractic to work?
Chiropractic results vary depending upon many factors. How long have you had your problem? Do you keep your appointments? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition? Are you in otherwise good health? Within a short period of time most patients sense enough progress to justify completing our recommendations.
Will I need chiropractic care forever?
After patients get the relief they want, many choose to continue with some type of periodic care. These chiropractic "checkups" can help support the final stages of healing and help detect and resolve new problems before they become serious. How long you want to receive chiropractic care is up to you.
Photo: Heavy man in lazy boy recliner
Caption: While a sedentary lifestyle can make symptoms worse, back pain affects those who are tall, short, thin, heavy, young and old.
Photo: Surgeon
Caption: Besides being dangerous and the results temporary, more than half of all back surgeries are considered failures.
Photo: Boomers gardening
Caption: While over-exertion can cause back pain flare-up, the underlying problem may have gone undetected for years.
Photo: Tall office buildings
Caption: Ironically, many insurance companies would rather pay for expensive surgery than conservative chiropractic care!
Photo: Normal lumbar MRI next to bulging disc MRI
Caption: Magnetic resonance imaging can show how disc bulging can put pressure on adjacent nerve tissue.
(Back Panel)
Safe and Natural
Chiropractic is a team approach to better health. As
you enjoy results, tell those you love. Explain how
millions enjoy relief and better health by restoring
the integrity of their spines and nervous systems with
safe and natural chiropractic care.
References at chiropatient.com
© 2009 Patient Media, Inc
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