Understanding the Impact of Poor Posture in Modern Society
The impact of poor posture in modern society is multifaceted and extends beyond mere discomfort. Prolonged sitting and looking at screens are common causes of poor posture, with the modern lifestyle often involving long hours of sitting, leading to a sedentary routine that can adversely affect posture. For instance, individuals working in office settings or engaging in desk-bound activities for extended periods are particularly susceptible to developing poor posture due to the nature of their work. Moreover, the prevalence of digital devices has contributed to increased instances of poor posture, as individuals frequently hunch over screens for extended periods, further exacerbating postural issues.
The consequences of poor posture are not limited to physical discomfort. Improper spine posture has been identified as the leading cause of early onset osteoarthritis, underscoring the seriousness of the problem. This emphasizes the critical importance of addressing and rectifying poor posture to mitigate potential long-term health complications. Furthermore, the manifestation of poor posture can lead to chronic slouching, hip tilting, rounded shoulders, and other symptoms, ultimately impacting an individual’s overall well-being, including their confidence, mobility, and mental well-being. This comprehensive understanding of the impact of poor posture underscores the necessity of effective interventions to improve posture for overall health and well-being.
Exploring the Role of Chiropractic Care in Posture Improvement
Chiropractic care plays a crucial role in addressing the impact of poor posture in modern society. Prolonged sitting and looking at screens have become ubiquitous in today’s lifestyle, leading to a rise in poor posture and its associated health concerns. Improper spine posture is not just a matter of aesthetics; it is the leading cause of early onset osteoarthritis, highlighting the severity of the issue and the urgent need to address it. Bad posture can manifest in chronic slouch, hip tilting, rounded shoulders, and other symptoms, affecting overall well-being and quality of life.
Chiropractic adjustment, also known as spinal manipulation, is a cornerstone of chiropractic care and is instrumental in addressing these posture-related concerns. By employing manual pressure or specialized instruments, chiropractors can realign the spine, relieve tension in muscles and joints, and promote better posture, thereby contributing to overall posture improvement and alleviating discomfort. In addition to spinal adjustments, chiropractors also provide muscle and joint therapies, postural education, ergonomic recommendations, and personalized exercise regimens to support posture enhancement. These holistic and tailored approaches are aimed at not just symptom management but also at addressing the root causes of poor posture, ensuring sustainable improvements in postural alignment and overall well-being. With the guidance of chiropractors, individuals can gain the necessary knowledge and tools to actively participate in their posture improvement journey, thus fostering long-term benefits for their health and quality of life.
The Process of Chiropractic Care for Posture Enhancement
When a patient seeks chiropractic care for posture enhancement, the process begins with a comprehensive examination conducted by the chiropractor. This examination involves a detailed review of the patient’s medical history and a thorough physical assessment to evaluate posture, range of motion, and muscle strength. Through this meticulous examination, the chiropractor gains valuable insights into the individual’s specific postural concerns and related musculoskeletal issues, enabling them to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to address the unique postural needs of each patient.
In addition to the physical assessment, the chiropractor performs a spinal assessment to identify potential misalignments or tension, evaluates joint range of motion, and analyzes posture for imbalances. This multifaceted approach allows the chiropractor to accurately diagnose postural issues and develop targeted treatment strategies. By addressing misalignments and imbalances, chiropractors aim to restore optimal spinal function and alleviate discomfort associated with poor posture.
Furthermore, chiropractors are trained to recognize situations where a patient’s condition may require further medical attention, and they can make appropriate referrals to other healthcare professionals for additional evaluation and management. This collaborative approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive care, addressing both their postural concerns and any underlying medical issues. Therefore, the process of chiropractic care for posture enhancement is not only focused on addressing immediate concerns but also encompasses a holistic approach to the individual’s overall well-being and musculoskeletal health.
Tailored Chiropractic Treatments for Posture Improvement
TruSpine’s specialized chiropractic care in San Francisco, CA, is tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals seeking posture improvement and overall well-being enhancement. Their integrated approach to chiropractic care and acupuncture allows for personalized treatment strategies that target the root cause of discomfort, fostering lasting relief and sustainable postural enhancement.
For example, a patient experiencing chronic back pain due to poor posture may benefit from a combination of chiropractic adjustments, Graston Technique, and Active Release Technique at TruSpine. These specialized treatments are designed to realign the spine, alleviate tension in muscles and joints, and promote improved postural alignment, contributing to enhanced overall well-being. This comprehensive approach aims not only to address the immediate symptoms but also to provide long-term benefits by correcting posture-related issues and promoting holistic wellness.
TruSpine’s commitment to personalized care and specialized techniques underscores their dedication to improving posture and overall health. By offering a range of therapies tailored to individual needs, TruSpine strives to empower their patients to achieve lasting relief and sustainable postural improvement. For those seeking posture-enhancing chiropractic care, TruSpine’s specialized treatments and personalized approach provide a compelling opportunity to embark on a journey towards better posture and overall well-being.
The Comprehensive Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Posture Correction
Chiropractic care offers a wide range of comprehensive benefits for posture correction, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of an individual’s well-being. One of the key benefits of chiropractic care is its ability to reduce pain associated with poor posture and to address muscle imbalances and weakness. For example, individuals experiencing chronic back or neck pain due to poor posture can benefit from chiropractic adjustments, which help realign the spine and alleviate discomfort. These adjustments, combined with targeted muscle and joint therapies, can contribute to improved posture and reduced pain, ultimately enhancing the individual’s overall quality of life.
Moreover, chiropractic care plays a pivotal role in promoting long-term postural health and overall well-being by offering individuals the opportunity to enhance their quality of life. By addressing the root causes of poor posture and providing personalized treatment plans, chiropractors can empower individuals to make lasting changes to their posture and overall physical health. In addition to physical adjustments, chiropractors also provide guidance on lifestyle modifications, ergonomic recommendations, and postural education to support sustained postural benefits. This comprehensive approach ensures that individuals not only experience immediate relief but also continue to reap the long-term benefits of improved posture and overall well-being.
Furthermore, the holistic nature of chiropractic care extends beyond physical adjustments, influencing an individual’s self-confidence, body image, joint function, mobility, mood, and mental well-being. For instance, individuals who have undergone chiropractic care for posture correction often report feeling more confident, experiencing improved mobility, and enjoying an uplifted mood. These emotional and psychological benefits demonstrate how chiropractic care transforms lives through improved posture and comprehensive well-being, highlighting the significant impact it has on individuals beyond physical health. Therefore, chiropractic care offers a multifaceted approach to posture correction, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of an individual’s well-being, ultimately leading to a transformative impact on their lives.
Transforming Lives Through Improved Posture and Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care, particularly at TruSpine in San Francisco, CA, provides a holistic approach to posture correction and overall well-being, offering individuals the opportunity to enhance their quality of life and overcome discomfort associated with poor posture. Through specialized chiropractic care, acupuncture, and a range of integrated therapies, TruSpine is dedicated to addressing various health concerns and fostering lasting relief like back pain treatment.
For those seeking effective solutions for posture improvement and overall well-being, TruSpine offers personalized treatment strategies tailored to target the root cause of discomfort, thereby facilitating sustained postural enhancement. The comprehensive approach at TruSpine allows individuals to not only address their immediate discomfort but also prevent future posture-related problems, contributing to long-term postural health and overall well-being. Therefore, chiropractic care at TruSpine not only aims to correct posture and improve spinal alignment but also focuses on transforming lives by enhancing self-confidence, body image, joint function, mobility, mood, and mental well-being. To explore posture-enhancing chiropractic care at TruSpine in San Francisco, CA, and discover the transformative benefits of comprehensive chiropractic interventions, individuals are encouraged to visit the website for more details.
Trusted Chiropractic & Acupuncture Office in San Francisco, CA
Improving your posture is a crucial aspect of maintaining overall health and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal issues. At Truspine, we’re committed to helping you achieve optimal health through our chiropractic care services. We believe in the power of holistic care and its role in enhancing your life quality. Whether you’re dealing with postural problems, chronic pain, or just looking to improve your general wellness, our chiropractic & acupuncture office is here to help. Don’t let poor posture dictate your life. Take the first step towards a healthier, happier you. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and start your journey to better posture and improved wellbeing. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Truspine family!
Your back is out of your line of sight most of the time. So you may not think about it much — until it hurts. But your back is central to your ability to work, play, relax, be intimate, and generally live a high-quality life. When back pain steals that from you, you need a plan to stop the pain and reclaim your life.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone is different, so in this complete guide to back pain, we’ll take a deep dive into it. First, what is back pain? Then…
Back pain causes
Back pain symptoms
Home remedies that work
Effective ways to prevent back pain
Back pain treatments. We’ll include both holistic and conventional medical treatments.
What Is Back Pain?
Back pain usually refers to generalized pain in the back. It’s one of the main reasons people seek medical treatment. It’s also the most common cause of disability not just in San Francisco, not just in the United States, but around the world.
The causes of back pain are many. And we’ll take an in-depth look at each of them. But regardless, back pain affects the muscles, bones, joints, discs, and ligaments. Back pain is always a symptom of dysfunction within these structures.
Localized vs. Radiating Back Pain
Some people experience back pain in one area, and always that area. We call this localized back pain. For example, you may have:
Lower back pain
Back pain middle
Back pain lower left side
Back pain lower right side
Back pain upper middle
Back pain in the middle of the back
But it can also radiate from a source (or root cause) of the pain. This radiating back pain (also called traveling pain) can move around, so you may be unsure what you’ve done to cause it.
It can even make its way down your legs and into your feet. In fact, a lot of people experience stress first in their lower back.
What happens is the pain causes the joints and the muscles to stiffen up. Then inflammation forms around it. And that constant inflammation irritates the body. This is actually what causes low back pain—most of the time.
Ultimately, back pain is more mechanical that anything else. It starts with misalignments in joints and muscles. Fortunately, this is what chiropractors help with, and with excellent results.
To get to the root cause of pain and discomfort, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive evaluation and first treatment.
Back Pain Symptoms
What does back pain feel like? It may seem like a silly question since you may be experiencing it right now.
What is back pain caused by here in San Francisco? Back pain has several causes that impact people across the nation and the world, but they tend to be interrelated. In San Francisco, a lot of us work desk jobs with long hours and often struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
But more generally, it could be related to age, activity levels, weight, and other physiological conditions. You might be surprised to learn that psychological factors can also cause back pain.
If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you’re more likely to have a disc issue while those 60s, 70s & older could be at a higher risk for things like degenerative disease or osteoporosis. Below, we’ve created an extensive list of common back pain causes.
Dysfunction/Misalignment in the Musculoskeletal System
Back pain is caused by dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system (muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs, and bones) and the nervous system (particularly the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system). Of these, the joints contribute the most because they direct how the other tissues move.
Spinal Subluxation
A commonly overlooked back pain cause, a subluxation occurs when one or more of your vertebrae shift out of place. Physical trauma, chronic stress, and a prolonged poor diet can lead to this condition. Untreated, subluxations cause a domino effect on the body— back pain, bulging discs, herniated discs, and loss of mobility, just for starters.
Bulging or Ruptured Disc
Your discs are gel-liquid-filled cushions found between the individual bones in your back. Their job is to prevent bone-on-bone contact and to avoid pinched or irritated spinal nerves/ This allows you to achieve a full range of motion without pain.
However, when a disc bulges, it can push against the nerve instead of protecting it, causing irritation. If that bulging goes untreated, the disc can burst, leaking that gel-like substance. We call this a ruptured or herniated disc.
Your nerves do not like this gel. It’s very irritating.
Repetitive Stress
Poor posture, prolonged sitting, and unsafe lifting can weaken components and sections of your musculoskeletal system, causing uneven stress. In the end, you develop the dysfunction experienced as back pain.
Weight-Related Factors
We would do you a disservice if we ignored the fact that excess weight can cause back pain. Weight gain definitely plays a crucial role in back pain and how the back works in general.
If you have more weight to lift, move, and carry, this can take a toll on the body in so many ways. That extra weight puts more stress on the structures of the spine such as the discs, the joints, and the nerves.
Inflammatory Diet
A study of over 3000 participants by the University of Pittsburgh found those eating inflammatory foods were 42% more likely to suffer from lower back pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a decaying spine. As the spine wastes away, it causes more pressure down on the discs, irritating the nerves.
Arthritis or Osteoporosis
In the older community, degenerative conditions like these may cause back pain. The medical industry considers back pain an “age-related” wear-and-tear disease, and somewhat unavoidable.
Even here, back pain treatments do exist. However, prevention and slowing the process are certainly better options, which we will discuss in depth.
To get to the root cause of pain and discomfort, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive evaluation and first treatment.
Psychological Back Pain Causes
Poor stress response, depression, and anxiety can contribute to back pain and make it seem worse. Several studies have demonstrated that people with overwhelming mental stress conditions have more back pain and experience it more severely. In fact, mental stress at least plays a role in most low back pain cases.
This may be due to practical reasons. For example, feeling depressed may cause you to spend more time in bed, exercise less, or not eat a nutritious diet.
Any and all of these would lead to weakness and dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system over time. But researchers also believe people with certain mental health conditions feel pain more intensely, primarily because pain-relieving neurotransmitters like serotonin are less present.
Spinal Stenosis
A less common cause of back pain, spinal stenosis involves a narrowing of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord travels. If this condition is caused by dysfunction of large structures, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, a chiropractor can help.
Humans are complex and all of our systems are connected.
For this reason, all—or several—of these back pain causes can be at play at the same time. Because of the interconnectedness of back pain causes, you need a holistic back pain treatment.
For back pain, exercises, nutrition, chiropractic, back pain stretches, and conventional medical care may be needed to address all the back pain causes and help you finally feel back pain relief.
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Back pain, especially very new back pain, can self-resolve with rest, stretching, and even some exercise. Yoga poses and back pain relief exercises specifically target soft tissues. They reduce inflammation, release tension, and help the body naturally re-align itself. As long as there is no traumatic injury, these are generally the first interventions people try. And they work!
But if your back pain lasts more than two weeks, we very highly recommended that you seek out professional care, especially if it’s interfering with your daily activities. It’s important to see your family doctor or chiropractor.
We’re of the mindset of “Prevention First”. If your back pain is currently occasional and generally mild, these preventive measures may stop it from progressing to a more severe condition.
Exercises
A good exercise regimen prevents most back pain causes. But if you’ve already developed back pain, you need a personalized exercise regimen that specifically targets the tissues that experienced dysfunction, as well as, promotes whole body strength and function, since it’s all connected.
That may mean having your toolbox of exercises and stretches that you feel are having an impact, a positive impact on your back.
Exercises may include a core strengthening regimen and stretch. These can tone, strengthen, and enhance function between musculoskeletal components. They can decompress the spine, allowing it to move more freely and naturally.
Two good ones are the Cat-Cow and Child’s Pose yoga stretch. So those would be important stretches to possibly include in a back pain scenario.
With that said, you want to build whole-body strength as well. So weight training is an important aspect of preventing back pain. Putting weights on yourself tells your body to turn on muscles, which could help to keep your core nice and strong.
Using a more structured approach with a trainer can also be very beneficial to keeping your back nice and strong. And of course, maintaining a healthy diet and a healthy weight enhances exercise’s ability to prevent the recurrence of back pain.
Nutrition
Like any health issue, what you eat matters. Your body needs proper nutrition to function at its best. For back pain treatment and prevention specifically, eat more anti-inflammatory food like vegetables, nuts, beans, and seeds. And eliminate inflammatory foods, most importantly sugar and processed foods.
Other Preventive Lifestyle Changes
Additionally, consider some other lifestyle changes to prevent back pain:
Move more
Avoid prolonged sitting
Quit smoking
Set up a good sleep regimen
Commit to good sleep ergonomics
Work on your sitting posture, especially at your workstation
Alternate between standing and sitting
Limit couch time
Replacement is always a better strategy than focusing on what you’re trying not to do. So, as an example, instead of saying, “don’t spend too much time on the couch”, replace it with more active hobbies. Even daily walks can help.
All of the above are important, but by far, bad posture tops the list of back pain causes, so we’ll dig into this topic more deeply to really get at the core of back pain treatment and prevention.
Good Posture for Prevention and Relief
So, there are 3 scenarios where you can make the biggest difference with good posture. Stand, sit and sleep ergonomics are very important.
One of the most important elements of good posture is your pelvic position. Always keep the pelvis neutral, especially when sitting. Making sure you’re ergonomically set up at the workstation, makes this easier.
If you find yourself resting on one hip or sitting awkwardly at the tip of your seat, ask why?
A neutral pelvis is one in which the base of the spine and pubic bone is on the same plane. At the same time, the left and right hips are in the same plane. In other words, your body isn’t twisted. You’re not under more pressure on one side or other, front or back. The pressure is applied neutrally. When in this position, the spine curves slightly.
Good Sleeping Posture
Sleep posture is critical because you spend a significant amount of time in one or a few positions.
What are the best sleep positions for back pain?
Back
Side
In that order. The worst position is on your stomach, which puts stress on the spine.
But even if you are a back or side sleeper, there are some right and wrong ways of back/side sleeping that can cause or worsen back pain. And note, even if you were able to sleep in a certain position when you were younger, that doesn’t mean that position will work for you now.
Back Sleeping
If you’re a back sleeper, it’s important to have a pillow underneath your knees. This is to help keep the pelvis nice and level. A low pillow or no pillow under your head is best.
Side Sleeping
If you’re a side sleeper, then place a pillow between the knees while keeping the knees on one plane, which can also keep the pelvis level.
If you sleep on your side with one knee raised, you likely wake up with back pain because your pelvis is not neutral. The spine is twisted. But the simple act of putting a pillow under your knee can return your pelvis to neutral.
Side Sleep Posture
Good Posture When Sitting
Similarly, back pain when sitting occurs when the pelvis is not neutral. Your desk setup should encourage a neutral pelvis and good posture as a whole.
And simple things like adjusting your monitor height to eye level can do this. Keep your keyboard and mouse pretty close to you. This will help you maintain your hip-torso angle above 90 degrees more naturally.
You also want to choose a seat that’s going to be very ergonomic for your body type. Sometimes, you might have to experiment a little bit to find the right one.
And it goes without saying, if you’re sitting for 8 hours a day, that will be way too long for most people. Build in breaks to get up and move more.
Good Standing Posture
Another thing that could be pretty important is standing posture. Keeping your legs evenly apart so that way we’re not standing on undistributed weight as well as taking breaks, that’s important. But you shouldn’t remain in one standing position for too long. Dynamic standing and moving around keeps your body from resting into a bad standing posture.
Dynamic Posture
Ideally, you shouldn’t stay in one rigid position for extended periods whether sitting or standing. Set up your workspace so that it encourages you to move around to reach things.
Sit-stand routines are great. But you don’t want to sit for 4 hours and then stand for 4 hours. Ideally, you’ll alternate every 1-2 hours.
If you have to sit to work, make sure that you’re getting up every 45 minutes to an hour, moving around, walking, taking stretch breaks or water breaks and then coming back into sitting again.
Lifting Posture
Avoid heavy lifting if possible. Team lift or use lifting support devices when you must lift something heavy. If you want to prevent back pain, set your ego aside and prioritize your health.
If you must, it’s important to know what proper lift posture is. Everyone says, “lift with your knees”. But they rarely explain what this means.
Make sure you’re centered with the heavy object in front of you. Keep the heavy items close to your body to keep them close to the center of gravity. Never try to lift from the side.
Bend your knees. Simultaneously, allow the hips to go back and the chest to come forward.
Test the object weight. If it’s extra heavy but doable, spread your legs slightly and to either side. This can reduce strain.
Grasp the object firmly. Unbend your legs, using them to lift the weight off the ground. As you do your torso will naturally move back and your hips forward until your back is in a vertical position and legs straight.
Heaving Lifting Posture
But you’re using your back, aren’t you? Well, yes. The difference is that when lifting with your back you use your back as a lever. When you lift with your legs, your back still comes up, but it is supported by your much stronger leg muscles.
Prepare for Heavy Lifting
If you know that you’re going to have a day of heavy lifting, say to move to a new apartment, it’s important to have a good routine or a toolbox of stretches and exercises that you can do before and after that difficult task to reduce the risk of injury. Joints, muscles, everything works best when you warm it up first. The after exercises can cool inflammation and allow the back to recover.
Ergonomic Products to Prevent Back Pain
This is definitely important, especially because we are in San Francisco Silicon Valley. Most of us are sitting in front of our computers for long hours on end. It’s important to set yourself up so that way we’re not adding to the damage.
A few products that are just essential:
Lumbar Support – Something behind your lower back to help keep that nice lumbar curve
Seating Cushion – It can reduce pressure points so you’re less likely to move into a poor posture to compensate for pressure-sore points on the body.
Seating Disc – You can get them on Amazon. It almost looks like a half-a-ball you can sit on top of. It encourages you to engage your core more often. It’s like you’re sitting on one of those nice big fitness balls without it being too distracting for you or your co-workers.
Ergonomic keyboard and mouse – Properly positioning these can reduce strain on the upper back and wrists.
Foam roller – I have a nice 36-inch foam roller at home and at the workplace. When you take breaks you can use it on the floor or wall.
How to Diagnose Back Pain
Of course, the first part of diagnosis involves listening to what your problems are and testing how well you can perform daily tasks. But sometimes imaging is called for. This can identify issues that are hard to spot and confirm our original diagnosis through objective means.
X-ray is going to be looking at the bone structure to look at the alignment and disc spacing. An MRI will look more at the soft tissue and the liquid. So that will be like the discs and the nerves. Each has its place in showing us what we’re looking for.
We’ll get an X-ray if we’re suspecting a bone or joint issue, an alignment issue. An MRI might be taken more if we’re maybe assuming there might be a disc or a nerve irritation going on.
If your back pain is paired with nerve pain, then a nerve conduction velocity test or an NCV test might be done by your primary care doctor as well. Other things could be a CT scan and blood work if there are other suspecting causes for your back pain.
Best Treatments for Back Pain
Now, I always get the question of what are the best treatments for back pain and there are many different types of treatments out there. But there are some clear winners.
Chiropractic Care seems to be at the very top of that. Most types of back pain respond well to chiropractic care over a long time window. Most back pain is due to misalignment of the bones and other connected structures—something chiropractic care can fix over a series of sessions.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture helps by addressing muscles and nerves. In combination with chiropractic care, they address the whole musculoskeletal system.
It’s important to note that neither chiropractic nor acupuncture is a quick fix. They take longer than your traditional or conventional forms of care but offer a more long-term solution because you’re treating the cause.
For this reason,if back pain is severe and causing significant disability, some people choose to receive back pain injections or oral medication while working on the root cause.
Combining holistic treatment with conventional back pain treatment can be very effective. This is called Complementary Medicine or Complementary Treatment. If this is the route you want to go, you’d need to also talk to your primary care doctor.
TENS
A (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) or TENS unit is one holistic method that can provide some more immediate relief. Although IT IS temporary, so it’s important to also work on correcting what’s behind your back pain symptoms.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is also very complementary to both Chiropractic and Acupuncture Care. It can loosen up physical tension and reduce the impact of psychological stress so that your body is in a better state to heal.
Over-the-Counter Medicine
If you choose not to request pain injections or prescription medications from your primary care physician, you still have some options for instant relief. Temporarily, you can take OTC pain medications when you need them.
But even OTC medications shouldn’t be taken long-term. That’s because they can cause hearing and liver damage among other concerns, so it’s important to keep your chiropractic appointments. That way, you’ll not need those medications long.
OTC back pain medications include Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, etc. These are also anti-inflammatory, which can support the healing process. You may choose to pair them with a prescription muscle relaxer.
Steroid Injection
If your back pain is very severe, your doctor may even suggest getting a back pain injection, such as a steroid injection (corticosteroid injection). Back pain medication can be very effective at taking care of the immediate problem, so you can work on fixing it long-term.
Injections can be very beneficial. In fact, they really give you pinpoint relief in the area where you’re feeling the most amount of pain. However, again, long-term use can cause known medical side effects.
Other Back Pain Treatment Options
Sometimes it’s necessary to get surgery.
We want to do everything possible to avoid that. And that’s why I do what we do as a holistic health clinic. I don’t want you to feel like you have to take your last resort and have surgery. Often back surgeries work by limiting how your back can move, which can cause a lot of discomforts, disability, and the need for lifelong pain medication, so this is not something you don’t want if you don’t have to.
I work with patients who are trying to avoid surgery. Together, in most cases, we can keep you from getting to that point.
To prepare for a low back pain consultation at our clinic follow this back pain appointment checklist:
List out any medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter and herbal or homeopathic remedies.
Write down any solutions you’ve tried and how they worked. How often were you doing these things and for how long did you try this? Did you experience some relief, temporary or partially?
Do you have an idea what caused your back pain? Did it start suddenly or has this been gradual?
How does it affect your daily life? Are you struggling at work or sleeping? Maybe you can’t pick your child or grandchild up anymore? Or you had to give up a hobby you love. If you’ve lost something due to back pain, one of my goals is to help you get back what you’ve lost.
Wear loose-fitting clothes. So avoid jeans or a thick sweater, because we want to make sure that we have access to different parts of your body, especially if it’s your back. We want to make sure we have access to your back. But, also, we want to make sure that you’re comfortable as we’re having you move around during your session.
We’ll ask for some information ahead of time so the visit goes smoothly. Your appointment may last 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the severity of your back pain.
Possible Imaging
We may want to take imaging. So, we will refer you for maybe either an X-ray or an MRI, as discussed earlier, depending on what we may think your back pain is due to or what your cause might be.
Now, if imaging is necessary, that doesn’t mean that we cannot start treatment right away. It just really is on a case-by-case basis.
Consultation and Orthopedic Exam
So, at your appointment, we’ll do the consultation and an orthopedic examination. So, muscle testing. This involves pushing in the areas that you feel are painful, so we can get a better idea of the severity of your pain and where it is precisely.
Range of Motion and Ability
We’re going to have you moving around to test your range of motion. Can you bend forward? Can you extend backward? Are you able to pick an item off the ground? Are you able to get on our chiropractic table easily?
Treatment Plan & Possible First Treatment
If we do feel like you’re a good candidate for our therapy, we’ll discuss a personalized treatment plan.
At our clinic, we have several tools and techniques that work well for different types of back pain.
Chiropractic adjustments
Dry needling to soften up muscles and soft tissues
Acupuncture to reduce soft tissue dysfunction and restore balance in the musculoskeletal system
Nutritional intervention
Home exercise
Shockwave Therapy, to reduce inflammation
Laser Therapy, to reduce inflammation or quickly alleviate more severe pain
Massage therapy
If more cutting-edge technologies like laser and shockwave therapies are warranted for your back pain, we will definitely let you know on your first visit.
In most cases, we’ll be able to begin your first chiropractic treatment during your initial appointment.
And by the end of your visit, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what it’s going to take to get your type of back pain better and what that looks like in terms of a care plan.
Getting Back Pain Relief
We look forward to seeing you at our San Francisco clinic soon. Look out for Truspine. Schedule your first consultation including your first treatment.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, up to 80% of the population will experience low back pain at least once in their lifetimes. Therefore, finding specialized back exercises can diminish the suffered symptomatology. The following exercises are most recommended for people with debilitating back pain. However, for people with moderate or severe back pain, we recommend a San Francisco Chiropractor‘s assessment first.