Neck and back pain can be two of the most common afflictions in the world. The causes are quite varied, from bad postures to injury or even stress due to daily activities. Sufferers also turn in great discomfort and lower the quality of their lives.
Well, some non-surgical, drug-free techniques can help people find a solution to this problem through chiropractors and enhance spinal health at large. When you decide to have treatment, getting a Chiropractor Ashford can give you one-on-one treatment. In this article, we will explore five of the common chiropractic techniques that are used for relieving neck and back pains.
Spinal Manipulation (Chiropractic Adjustment)
Spinal manipulation, also known as chiropractic adjustment, is probably the most well-known technique of a chiropractor. Controlled, sudden force will be used to adjust spinal joints to improve pressure relief and reduce inflammation. Subluxations refer to misalignments of the spine, causing pain and movement restrictions. Chiropractors hope that by correcting subluxations and restoring normal function to the spine, they will be able to decrease pain.
Chiropractic alignments are particularly good for neck and back pains, especially when someone suffers from tension headaches or stiffened muscles. A study that was published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics shows spinal manipulation can assist a person in alleviating huge amounts of pain and improving their extent of movement when having chronic back pain.
The Activator Technique
Technically, the activator technique is low-force and also gentle chiropractic, performed using an activator-which means a small hand-held device that delivers a quick, focused impulse to areas of the spine.
It may, therefore, help advance the pieces of the vertebrae back to their normal setting and decrease irritation of the nerve tissue. The delicacy of the activator has helped chiropractors target these problem areas minus the need for heavy manual adjustments, most particularly useful for patients who might be too sensitive, such as the elderly or those suffering from osteoporosis.
It is commonly utilized in the management of neck pain and is commonly chosen because it is not very uncomfortable when performed. Research supports the activator technique with results demonstrating it is effective in promoting spinal realignment and pain relief.
Flexion-Distraction Technique
The Flexion-Distraction Technique is generally applied for patients suffering from bulging or herniated discs and experiencing disc-related back pain. The patient would be made to lie on a specifically designed table that gradually stretches and moves along the spine, giving a gentle movement as it fights the pressure exerted by the spinal discs and the nerves to further facilitate healing within the damaged area.
This treatment is highly beneficial to patients who experience lower back pain, sciatica, or spinal stenosis. Studies have shown that flexion-distraction therapy reduces pain significantly and returns spinal motion to such patients. To be more specific, chiropractors here at Ashford always suggest this form of treatment to patients who seek a non-surgical option for controlling disc issues.
Soft Tissue Therapy
At a minimum, all of those chiropractic interventions except spinal manipulation include some form of soft tissue therapies meant for the relaxation of muscles and reduction of inflammation. Among the techniques used for soft tissue therapy are massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release. These therapies relax tight muscles, promote blood circulation, and help heal soft tissues near the spine.
Soft tissue therapy may benefit some patients with neck and back pain immediately. However, it would prove more beneficial for patients whose pain arises from muscle strain, sports-related injuries, or poor posture. In some cases, a patient might be needed to undergo both soft tissue therapy and spinal adjustments treatment from a chiropractor in Ashford.
The Gonstead Technique
The Gonstead technique is a precise chiropractic approach, which has, foremost, the specific aim to correctly align one’s spine, pelvis, and nervous system. More importantly, chiropractors who apply the Gonstead technique only make these adjustments after the most intensive analysis possible by using X-rays, visual inspections, and palpation to determine the exact location of these spinal misalignments.
It is characterized by its precision and thoroughness; therefore, it is preferred for patients with severe or chronic back pain. The treatment is an adjustment, and most often, it is one of several chiropractic therapies. It addresses the actual source of the pain and finds long-term relief rather than one-time symptomatic treatment.
Conclusion
There are several chiropractic care techniques available that can cure neck and back pains without the route of prescriptions or surgery. One needs to get a chiropractor whether the chronic discomfort or the acute pain lingers.
The approaches involve such ways as spinal manipulation, the Activator Technique, and soft tissue therapy – meant to restore proper spinal function, reduce pain, and promote healing. Whether you are suffering from neck or back pain, a visit to a chiropractor is sure to explore the available highly effective yet harmless options.