The Mayo Clinic estimates that approximately eighty percent of the population will have lower back pain at some point during their lifetime. In a society where many sit in front of a computer for eight hours a day and exhibit poor posture while both sitting and standing, this statistic comes as no surprise. Fortunately, practical relief from lower back pain in Kingwood or Humble, TX is as near as your local chiropractor.
About Lower Back Pain
We use the muscles in our lower backs to support us when we sit, stand, and move. For this reason, when lower back pain strikes it can be debilitating. Not only can it cause immense discomfort, but it often hinders us from performing simple yet important daily tasks, such as getting in and out of bed or the car or bending over to put on shoes.
Lower back pain can manifest itself in the body in several different ways, including:
- A dull muscle ache or stabbing pain in the lower back area
- Pain stretching the width of the lower back
- Pain radiating into the extremities
- Pain that increases with or possibly prohibits lifting, standing, walking, or bending
Finding a good lower back pain chiropractor can make all the difference, they will help you find the root cause of the problem and come up with a treatment plan to fix it.
The nature and intensity of lower back pain can differ from person to person and depends heavily on a person's past history of back issues, and the cause of current back problems. Lower back pain treatments vary from doctor, to chiropractors, to physical therapists, and even acupuncture. Every profession uses something different, some use medicine and pain shots while others only use the natural healing ability of the body.
Most Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
The type of repetitive movements a person makes each day could contribute to lower back pain if they are not done in proper form. For example, if a person delivers packages and is lifting heavy boxes, the tendency to lift with the back instead of from the knees can cause distress for the back muscles.
Some of the most common causes of lower back pain typically include poor posture, muscle or ligament strains, herniated discs, injuries, and accidents. Poor posture may be the culprit for an individual who spends most of their day sitting in a computer chair with their shoulders slouched forward. Muscle and ligament strains can be the result of either a simple movement or heavy lifting. Herniated discs typically happen as the result of wear and tear on the back and will occur if disc tissue shifts in between vertebrae. Injuries and accidents such as fender benders and falls can also be a source of lower back pain for some individuals.
Sciatica is also a condition that results in lower back pain which radiates down into the legs. Sciatica pain can occur if the sciatic nerve is impacted by either an overgrowth of bone or a herniated disk. The result is that inflammation ensues and will cause pain and potentially partial numbness to radiate down into the leg.
Chiropractic Treatment of Lower Back Pain
One of the top reasons people in Kingwood and Humble, TX seek chiropractic treatment of lower back pain is because it does not usually include prescription or over the counter medications. Most of these health professionals prefer to work with patients to combine manual spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes such as practicing better posture when sitting or specific exercises and stretches.
A chiropractor's treatment plan for an individual experiencing lower back pain is not a one size fits all plan. Each patient's plan for pain relief is customized based on their past health history as well as the cause and intensity of their current pain. Another key consideration taken into account by a Kingwood chiropractor when forming a treatment plan is a patient's end goals, such as being able to move without pain or being able to get back on the tennis courts.
Chiropractic treatment plans generally include one or more of the following:
Non-surgical spinal decompression
This is a non-invasive method of gently stretching a patient's spine to help with pain reduction and an improved quality of life.
Prescribed exercises and stretches
While exercising and stretching may at first seem counterproductive when experiencing back pain, they have the ability to loosen the muscles while also strengthening them. These movements are often demonstrated with the correct form in the chiropractor's office, but then the patient is asked to continue working on them at home as directed. The more committed a patient is to performing their prescribed exercises and stretches, the more benefit they will see from it.
Core strengthening
The body's core muscles are tasked with providing stabilization, mobility, and protection. Without strong core muscles, certain areas of the body such as the lower back could be at risk of injury. These muscles should be engaged during activities for added protection of the body. A chiropractor may give a patient several techniques to perform several times daily that will help increase the engagement of their core muscles.
Lifestyle changes
From the way we sit to what we eat, negative lifestyle habits could contribute to or exacerbate lower back pain. A chiropractor may go over proper posture and ways that a patient can be more cognizant of practicing it when sitting for long periods of time. They may also suggest a few changes in nutrition to help reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy weight to avoid added pressure on the body's joints.
Top Advantages of Finding A Lower Back Pain Chiropractor in Kingwood, Texas
Intense and debilitating lower back pain typically sends sufferers looking for assistance with pain relief and help returning to their normal lifestyle. For many of these people, going to see the chiropractor has added benefits that make it their first choice.
Most sufferers of lower back pain fear hearing the word surgery in relation to their current back issues. Chiropractors perform non-invasive procedures to help relieve back pain and at a fraction of the cost of back surgery and without weeks of surgery recovery.
A medication free treatment plan offers several benefits to patients. Not only will they save money by not purchasing expensive prescription or over the counter medicine, but it also eliminates the potential to become addicted to some that could be habit forming.
Many patients cite being equipped to relieve their current pain as well as protect against the same problem in the future as a substantial benefit of going to the chiropractor. The exercises, stretches, and techniques a chiropractor shares with a patient can be practiced on an ongoing basis to not only assist with pain relief but strengthen muscles for protection against future injury.
Testimonial: Low Back Pain
"I was dealing with neck and back pain for a long time, it was constant so I knew I had to do something. A friend told me about this chiropractor in Kingwood that really helped her. Dr. Hamel has improved my quality of life! I have been going for bi-weekly visits for a couple of months now and I can really feel the difference, my aches and pains are significantly better. He really cares about his patients and works along side them to come up with the right treatment plan and exercises. Hands down the best chiropractor in Kingwood. I highly recommend him for anyone dealing with back pain who wants a more natural approach" VB, Kingwood, TX
Be kind to yourself. If you are in Kingwood, Texas and are suffering from lower back pain, make an appointment with a reputable and experienced Kingwood chiropractor at Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness today. He has over 24 years experiencing treating Kingwood and north Houston area residents.
What Next? Make An Appointment To Get Your Spine Evaluated
Making an appointment, that sounds like the next logical thing to do right; but not everyone takes action. Dr. Hamel says that chiropractic care might not be for everyone, but for the new patients who come into his office, over 75% of them see some kind of improvement in their aches and pains; that is pretty darn good compared to mainstream medicine. In order to see how severe your neck pain, back pain, Sciatica, or shoulder pain is go to our website and Book Online; select a specific day and time and Dr. Hamel will be ready to help you out. Every new patient will receive an exam, a thermal exam, (shows the severity of inflammation), your first chiropractic treatment, corrective exercises, nutritional recommendations and a follow up treatment plan; this is pretty comprehensive compared to most chiropractic offices in the Kingwood area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)Can chiropractic care help relieve lower back pain?
Yes, chiropractic care is very effective in treating lower back pain. Back pain treatment is one of the most common conditions sought out by new patients going to see chiropractors. Dr. Hamel uses variety of techniques to alleviate back pain including spinal adjustments, deep tissue therapy, corrective and rehabilitative exercises. This comprehensive treatment approach to low back pain helps to reduce inflammation, restore proper function, and promote healing of the lower back.
What causes lower back pain, and how does chiropractic treatment address it?
Lower back pain can result from many issues such as postural stress, muscle tightness, muscle weakness, spinal misalignments, disc bulges and herniations, or spinal degenerative conditions. The spine can only handle so much stress says Dr. Hamel, after that it starts to affect your daily life. Chiropractic treatment is geared towards addressing the underlying causes of low back pain by adjusting the spine, reducing inflammation, stabilizing the low back, improving mobility, and accelerating the body's ability to heal itself.
How soon can I expect to feel better or get relief from lower back pain with chiropractic care?
The timeframe for experiencing relief from lower back pain varies depending on factors such as the severity of the condition, the patient's medical history, how many past episodes the patient has gone through, what treatments they have already tried, their activity level throughout the day and adherence to their treatment plan. Some patients may experience instant pain relief after the first chiropractic adjustment, while others may require multiple sessions to see the relief they are looking for.
Is chiropractic treatment for lower back pain safe?
Yes, chiropractic treatment for lower back pain is safe when performed by a qualified and experienced chiropractor. Chiropractic adjustments help to relieve pressure on the spinal joints of the lower back, this is the most effective and safest technique to release this pressure. Dr. Hamel has over 24 years of experience treating lower back pain patients safely and effectively using gentle spinal realignments, corrective exercises, muscle releasing and ergonomic recommendations.
Can chiropractic care prevent lower back pain from recurring?
Yes, chiropractic care can help prevent lower back pain from recurring by addressing underlying issues such as spinal misalignments, muscle imbalances, and postural stress. Patients initially come in because of severe back pain and once they get better, Dr. Hamel encourages them to keep up with postural and corrective exercises. Chiropractors help patients maintain spinal health and reduce the risk of future episodes of lower back pain by providing maintenance chiropractic care.
What can I expect during a chiropractic treatment for lower back pain?
During your chiropractic appointment at Hamel Chiropractic, Dr. Hamel will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your lower back pain, which includes a physical examination, thermal scan, orthopedic exam and review of medical history. Based on the findings, he will recommend a personalized treatment plan including chiropractic adjustments, corrective exercises, nutritional advice and rehabilitative exercises to get you feeling better quickly.
Are there exercises or stretches I can do at home to complement Dr. Hamel's chiropractic treatment for lower back pain?
Yes, your chiropractor may recommend specific exercises and stretches designed to strengthen the muscles supporting your lower back, improve flexibility, and enhance the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments. Dr. Hamel focuses on core stabilization, hip flexibility, thoracic spine flexibility and lower back strengthening. These corrective exercises can be performed at home to complement your in-office chiropractic treatments and promote faster recovery.
Does insurance cover chiropractic treatment for lower back pain, if not what are the options?
Many insurance plans cover chiropractic treatment for lower back pain, but coverage can vary depending on your specific plan. Our front desk staff will do a complimentary benefits check for your insurance plan. We are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna insurances. We also accept PIP insurance, personal injury protection insurance for a patients involved in car accidents or whiplash injuries of any kind. We accept PIP insurance from Geico, USAA, State Farm, Travelers, Allstate, Farm Bureau of Texas, Farmers, Progressive and more. For those patients who do not have medical insurance or have high deductibles we offer very affordable self-pay chiropractic and shockwave therapy packages, we also accept all HAS and FSA health spending cards.
Visit our clinic today to find out how Dr. Hamel, your local Kingwood chiropractor can help you today.
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