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Did you know you can prevent low back pain with regular chiropractic care? A new randomized controlled study shows patients with recurrent or persistent low back pain who get regular chiropractic care will experience less episodes of low back pain than patients who do not get regular chiropractic care. If you struggle with recurrent and persistent low back pain get regular chiropractic care. Along with other lifestyle strategies, regular chiropractic care will help keep your spine healthy and pain free.
Chiropractic care corrects the underlying cause of low back pain
In a previous article, I wrote about how effective chiropractic care is for low back pain. Chiropractors are experts at fixing the underlying cause of low back pain (spinal misalignments and related nerve problems). Fixing the underlying cause of low back pain results in fast and long lasting pain relief. In fact, most studies show chiropractic adjustments improve low back pain and function better on a consistent basis more than physical modalities, exercises, medication, and education. (1, 2, 3, 4)
Pain medications do not fix the underlying cause of low back pain
Also, think twice about taking pain medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen on a consistent basis for low back pain. Not only do pain medications fail to fix the underlying cause of your low back pain but they have dangerous side effects. For example, pain medications can create more damage to your spine and actually slow down the healing process. (5, 6, 7, 8)
Although chiropractic care is very effective in dealing with low back pain, does it really help prevent low back pain if patients get their spines adjusted on a regular basis? This is often called wellness care, maintenance care, or preventative care. I would say a resounding yes based on my personal and professional experience. And new research is beginning to back that statement up.
Study shows you can help prevent low back pain with regular chiropractic care
A new randomized controlled trial study (RCT) from Denmark and Sweden concluded that patients who received regular chiropractic care (listed as“maintenance care”) for their low back had less recurrent low back pain than those patients who did not receive maintenance care. (9)
I should also note that this was a well-designed study. Again this was an RCT studying it is considered the gold-standard when doing research and determining if a treatment does have significant impact on a particular condition or outcome.
Providing regular chiropractic care without pain is often misunderstood
Chiropractors providing regular chiropractic care (spinal adjustments) to patients without symptoms has always been a hot topic of discussion within our profession and a misunderstood topic outside our profession or within the public domain. Let me explain briefly in the following paragraphs.
As in any profession or industry, the chiropractic profession has a variety of approaches and belief systems. Essentially there are chiropractors who believe in providing care to patients beyond pain (wellness and holistic oriented), and there are chiropractors who believe in treating patients only until their pain is gone (pain based and reductionistic). So sometimes you have these two groups butting heads because of philosophical differences.
Now within the public domain, the mentality amongst most people when it comes to health care is symptom-based or reactive. This means most people have the belief that you don’t get treatment from a health practitioner unless you have pain or symptoms. So most people react when they have pain or a symptom and then go to a health practitioner. So the thinking is, “Why would you go to a chiropractor if you don’t have back pain?”
Getting regular chiropractic care extends beyond preventing low back pain
Getting your spine adjusted regularly by a chiropractor to help prevent low back pain is one good reason. When you have low back pain it can effect every facet of your life. So if you want to be more productive and focussed at work get your spine adjusted regularly. Further, if you want to continue to be mobile, strong, active, and enjoy your activities get your spine adjusted regularly.
Getting your spine adjusted regularly extends well beyond preventing low back pain. I wrote about this in previous posts if you want to read further into this subject matter:
Why Regular Chiropractic Check-ups are Important for You and Your Family
Why Children Need Chiropractic Care
Summary
Many chiropractors have always encouraged their patients to get regular chiropractic care to keep their spines and nerves healthy. In other words, many chiropractors promote being proactive with patients’ health versus being reactive with patients’ health. Stronger research is starting to support this approach to healthcare.
Preventing low back pain is just one reason to see a chiropractor on a regular basis. I recommend a spinal check up and adjustment once per week to once every two months regardless if you have low back pain or not. Regular chiropractic care is good for your spine, nervous system, and health as a whole.
Are you and your family getting regular chiropractic adjustments? What health benefits have you noticed from getting regular care?
To learn more about how chiropractic care could help you and your family click on Edmonton chiropractor Dr. Dean Collins’ complete guide to chiropractic care.
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