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THE HUMAN BACK: HOW A CHIROPRACTOR CAN HELP
What can a Chiropractor do for your back pain? The back is the portion of the body from the top of the buttocks up to the back of the neck and the shoulders. It is the part of the body posterior to the chest. It is actually a part of the nervous system, having the spine as its main feature. The spinal cord connects the brain to the other parts of the body. The human back supports the head and trunk of the body as its main function and provides for flexibility as well as movement. It also protects the inner organs such as the lungs and the kidneys.
The posterior muscles covering the back include the trapezius muscles, the most superficial of the nape and the upper trunk. They can elevate, depress, adduct, and stabilize the scapulae. The muscle that covers the lower portion of the back is called the latissimus dorsi aka lats. It is a large and flat muscle pair originating from the lower spine until the proximal end of the humerus. This extends and adducts the humerus and is very important for bringing down the arm, such as in swimming. Included in the group of muscles are the intertransversarii muscle allows movement between each vertebrae and the multifidus spinae which allows for the movement of the spine as a whole.
Since it protects the spinal cord, a part of the nervous system, it has a lot of parts which can be a starting place for pain. The nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons can be sources of pain especially when there is constant strain or when there are problems with the discs or when fractures occur. More problems occur as we age. Over the years, our backs will take the toll of the weight we carry. Gravity can also be blamed for “pulling us down” and thus pulling our bones down and compressing our spinal discs.
For most back problems, people go to a chiropractor. A chiropractor is a health practitioner whose expertise lies at chiropractic. They are professionals who deal with conservative management of common neuro-musculoskeletal system problems, especially involving the spine.
Chiropractic treatment involves the use of skeletal imaging and observational assessments as well as orthopaedic and neurologic evaluation. A chiropractor might also refer to other health care providers for co-management. The primary procedure of treatment of a chiropractor is usually by means of spinal manipulations. They give a sudden thrust or a sudden force which aims to increase a joint’s range of motion.
Nowadays, most practicing chiropractor mixes spinal modifications with other alternative therapies. These include cold and warm treatments, nutritional recommendations, and also exercise programs. Chiropractor also utilizes latest technologies for treating illness.
A chiropractor also uses medical history similar to various health care professionals. They usually then inspect patients, focusing on:
- Strength vs weakness of the muscle
- Posture of the patient in several positions
- Range of motion (ROM) of the spine
- Structural irregularities or anomalies
A chiropractor does not carry out surgery or even recommend drugs. A chiropractor may however request for laboratory tests, such as MRI, X-ray, and some other tests to aid them in diagnosing.
Growing in popularity when it comes to back pain is inversion table therapy. Inversion therapy involves hanging upside down or in a certain position to treat back pain. Placing the body this way will relieve pressure on the discs and on the nerve roots, thus relieving back pain. Along with that, the discs will be able to recover the moisture it has lost and allow it to regain its original shape, minimizing the pressure they place on nerves.
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