Some people are unable to feel pain. Well, “some” may be an overstatement, as only two people in the world are known to have this condition. One didn’t realize she was impervious to pain until she was 65 years old!
Chronic pain, which persists for three to six months or longer, is unfortunately far more common. Up to 55% of American adults may experience chronic pain at some point in their life. It is one of the most common conditions adults seek medical care for, and it is linked to other medical issues. Issues such as restricted mobility, opioid dependence, and overall lower satisfaction with life.
All of this is to say that chronic pain makes people unhappy, which is hardly a profound statement that needs proof from hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies. Given its prevalence and impact, several treatments for chronic pain have been developed. These include prescription and nonprescription drugs, trigger point injections, and invasive surgery.
These popular treatments for chronic pain come with drawbacks. One of which is the risk of developing chemical dependency and discomfort after surgery. Chiropractic care neither prescribes medications nor surgery and preempts these complications entirely. Additionally, chiropractic may work with other medical treatments to alleviate a patient’s chronic pain and accelerate their recovery.
Chiropractic Treatments for Chronic Pain
- Spinal manipulation combines the precise movement of a patient’s spine and joints with massage, physical exercise and therapy. Spinal manipulation is often used to treat acute symptoms of pain resulting from an injury or medical condition. However, it has demonstrable benefits for those suffering from chronic pain as well. Patients with chronic neck pain may report significantly improved range of motion following spinal manipulation. Patients suffering from chronic back pain may also report greater short-term improvement following spinal manipulation than those who received medication alone.
- Posture correction helps the patient to restore their body’s optimal functionality. Chiropractors correct by avoiding forward head translation, slouching, and other positions which hamper proper alignment of the spine. Doctors associate mproved postural awareness with a significant reduction in back and shoulder pain. Plus, an exercise program specifically designed to improve posture may reduce pain in the neck, shoulders, back and pelvis.
- Exercise prescribed by a chiropractor may have numerous benefits including improved cardiovascular health and weight loss, as well as a marked reduction in the symptoms of chronic pain. Exercise may be especially effective for treating pain like lower back pain, as well as for fibromyalgia.
One of chiropractic care’s greatest strengths is its multitude of effective treatments for a wide range of conditions. When judiciously administered in conjunction with one another, these treatments can create a multifaceted and personalized therapy for chronic pain in a number of different areas around the body. Whether you are already receiving medical treatment for chronic pain or have not yet sought relief for it, chiropractic can help you in both the short and long term.
Call Fargo Spine for Treatment
If you suffer from chronic pain, then Dr. Mike Mosey and the rest of his team are standing by to explain how chiropractic care can help to relieve your symptoms. We will also work to prevent them in the future. We welcome you to contact Fargo Spine today to schedule a consultation with one of our resident chiropractors!