One of the areas in which chiropractors excel with their patients is providing relief for lower back pain. Millions of Americans complain of chronic back pain, whether from an injury sustained in a car crash or wrenching the back from lifting or exercise – or merely twisting the wrong way – and seek help through various methods. Consistent back pain can lead to problems of mobility, taking away the enjoyment of favorite activities and making day-to-day life … well, a pain.
A general practitioner will offer some help, but if you prefer to take pills and medications out of your healthcare regimen, a doctor of chiropractic in Fort Lauderdale is the person to see for enduring pain relief, the natural way.
Generally, the root of a patient’s lower back or buttock pain is the sacroiliac joint. Healing this problem, while bringing relief to the patient, requires numerous chiropractic procedures. Spine-health.com gives a specific definition on this particular type of back pain: “Often hard to diagnose, sacroiliac joint dysfunction is commonly thought of as a source of lower back pain and/or leg pain. Connecting the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine (the sacrum) with the pelvis, the sacroiliac joint may be a source of pain if its normal motion is disturbed. More specifically, sacroiliac joint pain may be caused by too much or too little movement.”
This joint has the following characteristics:
- Small and very strong, reinforced by strong ligaments that surround it
- Limited in motion
- Transmits all the forces of the upper body to the pelvis (hips) and legs
- Acts as a shock-absorbing structure
To treat such pain complaints and ailments, chiropractors will find the best method for the patient, based on their individual needs. There are basically two ways a chiropractor can heal pain associated with the sacroiliac joint dysfunction, including spinal manipulation or what is known in the profession as a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust, and a gentle adjustment that uses less force.
When a chiropractor treats a patient via spinal manipulation the patient is lying down or on his/her side. Treatment features bending the top knee, positioning the lower shoulder in a way that stretches the low back and pelvic areas, applying pressure on the sacroiliac joint while the patient’s upper shoulder is pushed backward to create tension, and also applying a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust. The thrust is always achieved according to the patient’s comfort level and is a low-impact procedure.
While the thought of having a thrust to the back sounds like it could be painful and uncomfortable, it is, in fact, a gentle method of cracking the joint, and in many cases, relieves pain. For those patients who just can’t tolerate the twisting or cracking of a chiropractic adjustment, there are other, gentler methods of achieving the result that involve less force while bringing about the same results.
Above all, a skilled and expert chiropractor in Fort Lauderdale knows the route to living a pain-free life and can help you with your pain through a treatment plan that is natural and considers your individual strengths, needs and state of health. Seeking out a chiropractor is the best way to accurately and effectively get rid of pain, returning to you a lifestyle that you enjoy … and want.