Healthcare decisions can be challenging to make. We all want the best and most affordable care, but it’s essential to consider factors like long-term results and side effects. A treatment that causes additional health concerns will quickly ruin your bank account and well-being. The American Medical Association now recommends conservative treatment options as the first treatments for musculoskeletal pain. These safe and effective therapies can prevent invasive or dangerous options like surgery and prescription painkillers.
Conservative treatment refers to non-invasive treatments that work with the body to encourage healing. Chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and massage are examples of conservative treatments. Unlike painkillers and muscle relaxants that only mask the problem, these treatments work to heal the underlying cause of your pain.
Over 35 million Americans seek conservative chiropractic treatment for pain every year. Here are four reasons why.
1. Conservative Treatment for Back Pain is Comprehensive
Pain is a complex problem with no one size fits all solution. Multiple systems may cause musculoskeletal pain. For instance, a disc issue might cause muscle tension that leads to trigger points, and a nerve in the area may become hypersensitive. It’s necessary to create a treatment plan that thoroughly addresses the many potential causes of pain.
Chiropractors and other conservative treatment providers use exercises, stretches, massage therapy, and spinal adjustments. These treatments address pain originating in the spine, nervous system, and soft tissues. Each patient’s treatment plan is customized to their needs.
Conservative treatment aims to identify the underlying causes of pain. Common issues like a stalled healing process, excess scar tissue, or trigger points can lead to significant, long-term pain. Many of these issues are difficult to see in imaging and impossible to correct with surgery. Chiropractors will evaluate you using a physical exam, a report of your symptoms, and imaging as necessary.
Once the underlying causes are identified, your provider will work to promote healing, build strength and improve function. Conservative treatment goes beyond in-office care. Your chiropractor will also help you avoid aggravating your injury in daily life and may prescribe exercises and stretches for you to do at home.
2. Conservative Back Pain Treatments Provide Long-Lasting Results
Your provider’s office shouldn’t be a revolving door. Pain relief that stems from healing yields long-lasting results. This saves you money, time, and frustration. Even patients with unhealable chronic conditions such as arthritis can experience pain reduction and improved function after completing a treatment plan. These patients can then come in for “tune-up” treatments to control their symptoms.
Chiropractors can fully address acute injuries and other healable problems with conservative treatments, so you don’t need to continue seeking and paying for drugs or therapies. Treating an acute injury right away reduces your chances of experiencing complications that could lead to chronic pain.
Studies of patients who completed a spinal decompression therapy plan show that over 80% of them experienced reduced pain even five years later. Many of these patients had suffered from chronic pain for years before pursuing treatment. Lasting relief like this is possible for almost anyone, even patients who’ve “tried everything.”
3. Conservative Treatments May Prevent Surgery
Chronic back pain is defined as pain that continues for over three months. Pursuing treatment right away after a back injury can increase your chances for quick healing and reduce the risk of chronic pain.
Even chronic back pain patients can usually resolve or reduce their pain with conservative treatments and avoid surgery. Back surgery fails over 40% of patients and exposes them to risks like infection and addiction to post-operative pain medications. Chronic back pain is frequently caused by irritated nerve roots, low-level inflammation, and other problems that surgery can’t fix and may aggravate. One of the key reasons surgery fails is misdiagnosis. The other is an operation on the wrong part of the spine. Conservative treatments are able to treat larger sections of the spine, and work systemically to heal problems that aren’t easily seen.
Spinal decompression therapy has a long history of helping patients avoid surgery. Decompression therapy uses computer-controlled traction to gently stretch the spine. By creating negative pressures between vertebrae, it changes the physiological environment of the disc space. It brings blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to the area, relieving inflammation that may impact nerves. Decompression therapy may also deactivate overactive nerves that cause pain after an injury has healed.
Other treatments like laser therapy, dry needling, and ultrasound therapy can correct trigger points that may cause lingering pain.
Studies show that 90% of back pain patients are able to heal without surgery. Chiropractic care can speed healing and prevent chronic pain.
4. Chiropractic Care Focuses on Healing and Prevention
Injuries happen more easily when the body is out of balance. Foot problems, weak core muscles, or overly tight ligaments put you at a higher risk. Fixing these issues will improve your current symptoms and prevent re-injury.
When you see a chiropractor to heal an injury or reduce chronic pain, they look beyond your current situation. Chiropractors are interested in how your body got to this point and what can be done to prevent future pain. In many cases, bad posture, a foot problem, or insufficient muscle tone set the body up for pain and injury. When these problems are identified and addressed, current pain is relieved, and future pain is prevented. The fixes for these problems are often simple; custom orthotics, fitness, or posture rehab.
Your chiropractor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as creating a more ergonomic work environment. They will also work with you to build muscle, increase flexibility and balance the body.
Conservative Back Pain Treatment in Northern Kentucky
At All Star Chiropractic, we provide comprehensive care for patients struggling with chronic back and neck pain. Schedule a consultation at one of our convenient locations to receive a personalized treatment plan.